Qualitative Assessment of the Impact of Implementing Reiki Training in a Supported Residence for People Older Than 50 Years with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Introduction: Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing that has become popular in the US. Reiki training involves three stages-levels I, II, and III-to a master practitioner level and requires both giving and receiving Reiki. We set out to implement a program to train clients of a supported residence in Brooklyn, NY. They were all older than age 50 years and had HIV/AIDS and substance-abuse and/or mental-health disorders. Methods: A qualitative, narrative-inquiry study was conducted. The Reiki master kept a journal of her 3 years of providing 90 minutes of Reiki treatment and/or training once weekly at the residence. Forty-five of 50 potential participants attended these sessions with various frequencies. Stories were collected from 35 participants regarding their experience of Reiki training. We posited success as continued involvement in the program. Results: All 35 participants reported receiving benefit from participation in Reiki. Participants first took part in training because of the offered subway tokens; however, 40 continued their involvement despite a lack of compensation. When asked why they continued, participants reported life-changing experiences, including a greater ability to cope with addictions, a greater ability to manage counseling, healing of wounds, improvement of T-cell counts, and improved skills of daily living. Conclusion: Reiki training can be successfully implemented in a supported housing facility with people with HIV/AIDS and comorbid disorders. Some people in our study population reported areas of improvement and lifechanging experiences. Our study did not establish the efficacy of Reiki, but our findings support the effect of the entire gestalt of implementing a program related to spirituality and healing and supports the goal of implementing a larger randomized, controlled trial in this setting to establish the efficacy of Reiki.

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

“…Therefore, individuals with health concerns corresponding with the aforementioned symptoms may show the most promise for treating with Reiki. Indeed, the results of this nonclinical real-world study are consistent with small sample clinical trials in which Reiki was associated with improvements in well-being [16][17][18][19][20][21] and alleviation of pain, 3,22-24 emotional stress, [25][26][27][28] anxiety, 21,23,26,28 and depression. 25,29 Positive affect was below norm levels at pre and increased to norm levels at post, whereas negative affect was at norm and decreased to below norm levels following Reiki.…”

Biofield Research: A Roundtable Discussion of Scientific and Methodological Issues

“…In this approach, quantitative outcomes can be correlated with occurrences of spiritual and other nonordinary experiences that patients often report when receiving biofield therapies. 1,22 James Oschman: In addition to considering the relative advantages of performing research with different types of biofield healees (receivers), we should review studies that have used devices, either to detect biofield healing or to mimic aspects of the healers. For example, bringing the hand close to the body or touching it may induce minute current flows through the tissue, and there are therapeutic devices that do this with magnets or microcurrents.…”

The Feasibility of a Holistic Wellness Program for HIV/AIDS Patients Residing in a Voluntary Inpatient Treatment Program

“…From these results, the researcher was able to conclude that Reiki sessions and training could be successfully implemented in a supported residential setting for people with HIV/AIDS. Nita M. Renfrew, the research associate and Reiki master profiled in this study noted, “ The increased self-agency and self-efficacy of people who learned (Reiki) and how to offer sessions to others appeared to generalize to a positive sense of ability to move out into the world” (Mehl-Madrona et al, 2011, p. 49).…”

“…Narrative results from participants included improved pain symptoms, decreased depression symptoms, enhanced ability to solve daily living problems, increased focus, feeling more grateful and hopeful, and an overall improvement in attitude. The researcher even noted a marked improvement in the energy of the staff and facility, describing a more positive and peaceful environment (Mehl-Madrona, Renfrew, & Mainguy, 2011).…”