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Effects of Reiki on Stress

NCT ID: NCT00346671

Last Updated: 2012-09-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE1

Total Enrollment

257 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2006-01-31

Study Completion Date

2010-06-30

Brief Summary

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Complementary therapies such as Reiki are becoming popular. Reiki is a practice used for relaxation and pain management that involves physical touch and social contact with a trained, empathetic practitioner. Unlike many relaxation therapies, Reiki requires no participation by the patient, a feature that makes Reiki particularly attractive in the hospital setting, where patients are often extremely anxious, depressed, in pain, or sedated. Our primary research questions are to determine whether physiological changes are induced during a Reiki session and whether a Reiki session affects responses to a subsequent acute stressor. Secondary research questions include assessing which benefits result from placebo or unique abilities of "attuned" Reiki practitioners and assessing background characteristics of recipients that are associated with acceptance and responsiveness. Based on its use to reduce pain and anxiety, we will study potential mechanisms by which Reiki decreases activity of the sympathetic nervous system and other stress pathways. Comparison of the responses in a Reiki group with those in supine-control and sham groups will allow us to gain insights into mechanisms by which Reiki effects are mediated. Information obtained from the proposed studies will provide detailed information on physiological pathways affected by Reiki. Should Reiki decrease stress pathways or reduce physiological responses to stressful situations, it could be a useful adjunct to traditional medicine and have significant health and economic benefits.

Detailed Description

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See Brief Summary

Conditions

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Stress

Keywords

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Reiki Stress CAM

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Supine Rest

30min supine rest listening to soft music

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Rest

Intervention Type OTHER

30 min supine rest

Sham Reiki

30 min intervention by sham practitioner

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham

Intervention Type OTHER

30 min session with Sham practitioner

Reiki

30 min session with Reiki practitioner

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Reiki

Intervention Type OTHER

30 min session with Reiki practitioner

Interventions

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Rest

30 min supine rest

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham

30 min session with Sham practitioner

Intervention Type OTHER

Reiki

30 min session with Reiki practitioner

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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Touch Pretend Reiki Placebo Reiki Energy Healing Energy Therapy Touch Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Healthy Individuals between the age of 18 and 75

Exclusion Criteria

* Already involved in regular (one time a week or more) mind-body practices (yoga, meditation, Qi-gong, guided imagery, Taichi, biofeedback; attendance at religious services is not considered a mind-body practice) in the past three months OR has been doing intense spiritual practice for more than 6 months in the past (an average of 6hrs a week)
* Already received an energy therapy treatment (Reiki, therapeutic touch, healing touch, touch therapy) in the past. (note: acupuncture, massage Qi-gong are not considered energy therapies in the context of this study)
* Score on the DASS21 for Depression greater or equal to 21
* Score on the DASS21 for Anxiety greater or equal to 15
* In the last 3 months, has had a major stressful life-event that is likely to affect the outcomes of the study
* Medical condition, current illness or history of chronic illness that might affect the outcomes of the study such as those affecting stress response, cardiovascular, endocrine, or immune systems (Examples: cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, blood-clotting disorder, severe allergies or asthma that impairs breathing, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, or hypoglycemia, cardiovascular disease, depression/anxiety etc.)
* In the past 3 months, has used or is chronically using over-the-counter, recreational or prescription drugs that might affect the outcomes of the study such as those affecting cardiovascular, platelets, central nervous system, endocrine, immune systems(Examples: steroid, blood pressure medication, depression/anxiety medication, antiplatelet drugs, etc.)
* Color Blind
* Consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day most days over the 3 months
* Pregnant
* Problems donating blood: Fear of hypodermic needles; has felt dizzy or was about to faint following a needle stick
* Incompatibility of energy healing with religious beliefs
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

The Cleveland Clinic

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Joan Fox

Staff

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Joan E. Fox, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The Cleveland Clinic

Locations

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Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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R21AT001884-01

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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