Is reiki or prayer effective in relieving pain during hospitalization for cesarean? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: This systematic review compared reiki and prayer with drug use for relieving pain during hospitalization for cesarean, given that the popularity of integrative medicine and spiritual healing has been increasing. It had the aim of evaluating whether reiki or prayer is effective in relieving pain during cesarean section. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic review with meta-analysis conducted at Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: The following databases were searched up to March 2016: MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS and CENTRAL. Randomized controlled trials published in English or Portuguese were included in the review. Two reviewers independently screened eligible articles, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. A GRADE table was produced to evaluate the risk of bias. RESULTS: There was evidence with a high risk of bias showing a statistically significant decrease in pain score through use of reiki and prayer, in relation to the protocol group: mean difference = -1.68; 95% confidence interval: -1.92 to -1.43; P < 0.00001; I2 = 92%. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in heart rate or systolic or diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Evidence with a high risk of bias suggested that reiki and prayer meditation might be associated with pain reduction.

A Large-Scale Effectiveness Trial of Reiki for Physical and Psychological Health

“…Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of Reiki reveal that it has statistically significant improvements in many physical and psychological symptoms common to a wide range of diseases such as mood problems, anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, and nausea. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] From 1989 to 2018, a total of 74 peer-reviewed research articles have been published on Reiki. Of the higher quality studies, those comparing Reiki to at least sham-Reiki or standard-of-care largely support the hypothesis that Reiki may reduce pain, anxiety, depression, and burnout and may increase relaxation and well-being.…”

Mudanças na percepção da qualidade de vida durante o aprendizado do Reiki

“…Outro estudo curioso sobre a dor verificou que o Reiki é capaz de diminuir o uso de analgésicos e a própria dor antes de partos cesarianos (SAGKAL MIDILLI; CIRAY GUNDUZOGLU, 2016), o que também foi demonstrado num estudo mais amplo (FERRAZ et al, 2017). Uma meta-análise recente comprovou a eficácia do Reiki no alívio da dor (DOĞAN, 2018).…”

Reiki practitioners’ perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the experience, practice and future of Reiki

“…This study also provides some information on how distant Reiki is performed. Previous studies describe Reiki practitioners first performing a specific protocol to send the healing energy to the patient [ 26 ], using intention that is not blocked by a conventional energy barrier [ 25 ], and state that distant Reiki and hands on Reiki are the same, except that in one the patient's physical body is absent, while it is present in the other [ 43 ].…”