Reiki Effects on Heart Rhythm, Biochemistry and Cortisol Findings, and Anxiety

"Consisting of the words rei meaning spirit and ki meaning universal life force, Reiki means spiritually directed life force energy. Reiki practice has an important place in modern medicine and the nursing profession because it cures many diseases resistant to known treatments, has no side effects, is easy to apply, is safe, effective and economical.~In the Reiki method, which is one of the complementary and alternative methods, energy is transferred through the hands. Its basis is based on the principle that when there is a blockage in an energy center, disease occurs and the energy transferred by touching, strengthens and heals the body's self-healing ability by opening the blockages. Reiki practitioners who have received training and initiation perform the practice by holding their hands in certain positions on the recipient's body."

Sham means to pretend; therefore, in this study, the sham Reiki placebo provider pretended to perform a Reiki session by moving her hands on the patient's body in a specific order for a 30-minute period following strictly operationalized measures.