Positive Health Online

Abstract

MANSOUR and colleagues, College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. Mansour@duke.usask.ca write that Reiki is a popular alternative therapy, advocated as a precise method for connecting universal life energy with the bodys innate process of healing through hands-on techniques. Although Reiki research supports anecdotal records of reducing a variety of physical problems and improving psychospiritual well-being, there is an absence of randomised and placebo-controlled trials. The authors tested the standardisation procedures developed by their research team for placebo Reiki, prior to conducting a full-scale randomised and placebo-controlled Reiki efficacy study.

Background

Methodology

The design was a 4-round, crossover trial in which 20 blinded subjects (12 students, 4 breast cancer survivors and 4 observers) were exposed to a combination of 2 interventions (Reiki plus Reiki, or placebo plus placebo, or Reiki plus placebo, or placebo plus Reiki). Subjects were then asked to evaluate the interventions using a self-administered questionnaire. Blinded observers were used in round number 4. 2 real Reiki practitioners (Usui system) were chosen first, then 2 placebo practitioners who closely resembled them were recruited. The placebo practitioners were trained in Reiki by the study Reiki Master and the principal investigator, but were not initiated. The belief in Reiki is that only practitioners that are initiated can give Reiki, thus making it possible to have a placebo arm in efficacy studies.

Results

The data of the study demonstrate that the developed standardisation procedures were successful because none of the final participants in round 4 (4 breast cancer patients and 4 observers) could differentiate between the identity of placebo and Reiki practitioners. The qualitative comments expressed by the participants further confirmed the quantitative data.

Conclusion

The conclusions reached based on these findings was that it was safe to proceed and conduct the planned randomised 3-arm Reiki efficacy clinical trial. The authors recommend that those interested in Reiki research ought to incorporate their techniques to strengthen their designs by having a placebo arm.

References

Mansour AA et al. A study to test the effectiveness of placebo Reiki standardization procedures developed for a planned Reiki efficacy study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 5(2): 153-64. Apr 1999.

Comment

I for one will be extremely interested to see the results of these researchers clinical trial, as I have often wondered about the initiation process. If the trial shows no difference between the placebo and the "true" Reiki, but a difference between the placebo and true Reiki and no treatment, then that will demonstrate that initiation may not be crucial to do effective Reiki.