The effect of Reiki therapy on quality of life of patients with blood cancer: Results from a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionReiki therapy has been used for a variety of health issues. The aim of this study was to ascertain how Reiki therapy could help holistically in alleviating suffering in patients with blood cancer. Its main aims were to: (1) assess the effect of Reiki as a complementary therapy on the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients, (2) compare the QoL of cancer patients receiving Reiki therapy with the QoL of cancer patients who received sham Reiki therapy.MethodsThe sample consisted of an intervention (58 patients) and a control group (initially consisting of 58 patients). Patients were allocated to one of two groups (true Reiki or sham Reiki) by using computer randomization. True Reiki or sham Reiki treatment was delivered twice a week for 4 weeks and lasted 60 min. Quality of life was measured using the Portuguese version of the WHOQoL-Bref. Data was analysed using univariate comparisons, t Student or Mann-Whitney test for each dimension, and multivariate comparison by estimation of latent class models.ResultsSixteen patients who had been allocated to the control group died after recruitment into the study and before they took part in the study or had answered the questionnaire. The Reiki group showed significantly more improvements in the general, physical, environmental, and social dimensions of the WHOQoL-Bref (p < 0.05). Only the psychological domain did not reach statistical significance. Multivariate clustering using latent class models revealed that being younger (under 52), an unmarried male, and having a higher level of education contributed to a greater satisfaction with life in those you received true Reiki therapy when compared with sham Reiki.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that Reiki may be an effective and safe option for improving well-being in patients with blood cancer. These findings may lend support for the inclusion of Reiki into national health services as it may provide a useful contribution to improving patients' welfare and consequently a better quality of life.