Clinical trial · Interventional
The Effect of Reiki on the Stress Level of Caregivers of Cancer Patients
The Effect of Reiki on the Stress Level of Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Qualitative and Single-blind Randomized Controlled Trial
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
Stress caused by late-identified and unmet needs of caregivers negatively affect the physical and emotional health of patients and caregivers as well as their compliance with the treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the problems experienced by caregivers and to plan a number of attempts to reduce stress levels. Complementary and integrated practices for caregivers to manage their stresses are increasingly preferred approaches in recent years for many different reasons. One of these integrative practices, Reiki, is an energy therapy involving the use of energy that flows naturally from the hands of the practitioner to strengthen the body's ability to heal itself in order to increase well-being. This study was conducted using a pre-test and post-test, single-blind randomized controlled trial pattern and semi-structured in-depth interview method of qualitative research in order to evaluate the effect of Reiki on stress levels applied to individuals caring for cancer patients. The study comprised 42 women who were primary caregivers of cancer patients in total, as 21 women in Reiki group and 21 women in sham Reiki group. The approval of ethics committee, permissions from the institutions, and informed voluntary approval of the individuals were obtained to conduct the research. The data of the research were collected through the application of Caregiver Stress Scale (CSS), form for care giver's opinions on Reiki experience and application monitoring form including cortisol levels analyzed from saliva samples collected before and after application and measurements of pulse rate and blood pressure values. While Reiki group received reiki to 9 main points for 45 minutes per day for 6 weeks, in the sham Reiki group the same points were touched during the same period without starting energy flow. Caregiver Stress Scale (CSS) and salivary cortisol level were evaluated at the baseline and end of the study, whereas systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were evaluated before and after application every week. At the end of the study, the opinions of the Reiki group on Reiki experience were collected by using a form consisting of semi-structured questions. The value of p\<0.05 was accepted statistically significant in the data analyses. Descriptive and content analysis methods were used to evaluate the qualitative data.
Conditions
Conditions (3)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caregiver Burnout | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Caregiver Stress Syndrome | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Reiki | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
Interventions
Interventions (2)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reiki | Other | — | UNRESOLVED |
| Sham Reiki | Other | — | UNRESOLVED |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (2)
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- Reiki
- description
- Reiki was applied to this arm by the researcher who completed her second level education according to the Usui method, for 45 minutes once a week for 6 weeks and by touching the 9 main points in line. A saliva sample was taken from the participants in order to determine the stress level through cortisol and Caregiver Stress Scale (CSS) was applied in the first week of Reiki application. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rates were measured for six weeks before and after each application. At the end of six weeks, saliva samples were collected and CSS was applied again. After the 6-week Reiki application, all the caregivers of the intervention group were asked about their experience and opinions regarding the application by the individual in-depth interview method during the home visit.
- interventionNames
- Other: Reiki
- type
- PLACEBO_COMPARATOR
- label
- Sham Reiki
- description
- Four student nurses who did not receive Reiki training and were trained about application by the investigator applied sham by gesturing and mimic imitation through touching 9 points for 45 minutes/week for 6 weeks in line. A saliva sample was taken from the participants in order to determine the stress level through cortisol and Caregiver Stress Scale (CSS) was applied in the first week of Reiki application. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rates were measured for six weeks before and after each application. At the end of six weeks, saliva samples were collected and CSS was applied again.
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- Female
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: * Being over 18 years old and female * Can communicate * Being a primary caregiver family member of cancer patients receiving treatment, * Providing care to the patient for 8 hours / day for at least 6 months, and Caregiver Stress Scale (CSS) score of 7 and above Exclusion Criteria: * To provide maintenance service for a fee, * Having another medical problem that will prevent pulse rate and blood pressure measurement, * Pulse rate to be variable, * Being unable to give a saliva secretion due to other medical problems, * Using cortisol and its derivative drugs, * Having a history of psychiatric disorders, * Being a Reiki practitioner or trainer, * To have received energy therapies such as Reiki / Therapeutic touch / Healing touch, * To use other complementary and integrated medicine applications
References
Publications (18)
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- BACKGROUNDBuckley TM, Schatzberg AF. On the interactions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sleep: normal HPA axis activity and circadian rhythm, exemplary sleep disorders. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 May;90(5):3106-14. doi: 10.1210/jc.2004-1056. Epub 2005 Feb 22. PMID 15728214
- BACKGROUNDCassidy N, Collins K, Cyr D, Magni K. The effect of Reiki on women's preoperative anxiety in an ambulatory surgery center. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 2010; 25 (3): 196-198.
- BACKGROUNDChang HY, Chiou CJ, Chen NS. Impact of mental health and caregiver burden on family caregivers' physical health. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2010 May-Jun;50(3):267-71. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2009.04.006. Epub 2009 May 13. PMID 19443058
- BACKGROUNDDissiz G, Yilmaz M. Complementary and alternative therapies and health literacy in cancer patients. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016 May;23:34-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.02.004. Epub 2016 Mar 2. PMID 27157956
- BACKGROUNDFriedman RS, Burg MM, Miles P, Lee F, Lampert R. Effects of Reiki on autonomic activity early after acute coronary syndrome. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Sep 14;56(12):995-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2010.03.082. No abstract available. PMID 20828654
- BACKGROUNDLopez G, Mao JJ, Cohen L. Integrative Oncology. Med Clin North Am. 2017 Sep;101(5):977-985. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2017.04.011. Epub 2017 Jun 23. PMID 28802474
- BACKGROUNDMackay N, Hansen S, McFarlane O. Autonomic nervous system changes during Reiki treatment: a preliminary study. J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Dec;10(6):1077-81. doi: 10.1089/acm.2004.10.1077. PMID 15674004