The Effect of Reiki on the Stress Level of Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Qualitative and Single-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Detailed Summary

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.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions