E-Newsletter:
Seven New CAM Studies (07/09)
This summer brought a HUGE crop of CAM studies! Here are the most Reiki-specific ones, summarized so you can get back to your beach book:
Statistically Significant Results
Researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics completed a nine-subject pilot study on the use of Healing Touch (HT) energy healing with pediatric oncology outpatients. Standardized HT treatments were compared to 20 minutes of rest. Patients' heart rate variability (HRV) and reported stress were significantly lower after HT, consistent with previous studies of adults and infants.
Published in the Winter 2009 Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology
Nursing Articles
Two RNs and a PhD candidate from Curtin University of Technology in Australia reviewed the academic literature for Reiki and 11 other therapies to create clinical practical guidelines for CAM use by nurses. The review cites classic studies that found Reiki reduced pain medication usage and hospital stays and recommends Reiki use with no cautions.
Published in June 2009 International Journal of Nursing Practice
A researcher at Christine E Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University conducted interviews with 11 nurses who are Reiki practitioners to identify perceptions of energy healing self-care that can be explored in future studies. Themes emerged around "daily stress management, self-healing, spirituality, and interconnectedness of self, others, and beyond."
Published in May-June 2009 Holistic Nursing Practice
A University of Vermont nursing professor interviewed 11 participants immediately following their Reiki healing sessions and created a composite of their experiences. Participants reported distress before the treatment; simultaneous and opposite sensations during the treatment (e.g., warm and cool); perceived speeding up, slowing down and suspension of time; transitioning awareness and losing track of their Reiki practitioners' position.
Published in July 2009 Nursing Science Quarterly
CAM in Other Countries
A 2002 to 2004 survey of 8,879 Pakistanis revealed that 51.7% used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with homeopathy and native Unani medicine being the most popular. Twenty percent of those using CAM also used biomedicine, though many didn't tell their biomedicine doctor about their CAM use. Only 0.05% used Reiki, and Reiki was only available in Pakistan's two largest cities, Karachi and Lahore.
Published in May 2009 Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Individuals from the Department of Otolaryngology and Oncologic Laryngology, at Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin in Poland reviewed CAM literature. The authors expressed concern regarding patients putting off cancer treatment and using CAM instead.
Published in March 2009 Pol Merkur Lekarski
A multidisciplinary team from the Division of Palliative Medicine at Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital in Shizuoka surveyed use of CAM at palliative care centers (hospices) in Japan in 2005. Of the 118 centers responding, 64% offered CAM. Larger and older palliative care centers were more likely to offer it. Aromatherapy, music therapy and massage therapy were the most popular. Despite its origins in Japan, only one center offered Reiki, and two offered Therapeutic Touch energy healing.
Published in March 2009 Journal of Palliative Care
Thanks for reading! I find my research at PubMed. Email me for energy healing research publication details
Anna Schibrowsky
Chicago Healing Studio
