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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05483842

Reiki Effects on Heart Rhythm, Biochemistry and Cortisol Findings, and Anxiety

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Reiki, which is a complementary and traditional method, on heart rhythm, biochemistry and cortisol findings, and anxiety in individuals with arrhythmia.

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Key information

Conditions

Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Arrhythmias, Cardiac Cardiovascular Diseases Heart Diseases Mental Disorders Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Nursemin Ünal

Ankara, None Selected, 06050, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Reiki has an essential place in modern medicine and the nursing profession because it cures many diseases resistant to known treatments, has no side effects, is easy to apply, and is safe, effective, and economical. In the Reiki method, the energy is transferred through the hands, and a care provider nurse is a tool that performs their profession by touching in patient care and also shares the universal life energy, transferring the flowing and formed energy. When the literature is reviewed, there are a limited number of studies in which Reiki affects heart rate, cortisol level, and vital signs. However, there are not enough studies examining the effects of heart patients' symptoms, anxiety, and their condition on Reiki results. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the effects of Reiki energy on heart rhythm, biochemistry, cortisol findings, and anxiety in people with arrhythmia.

The study was conducted as a pretest-posttest, randomized prospective, single-blind and placebo-controlled. The study was conducted with patients who applied to a training and research hospital with arrhythmia complaints between April 5 and June 30, 2022. The data was collected using "Personal Information Form (PIF)" and "Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS)". Also, biochemical tests and cortisol findings and ECG (Electrocardiography) analyses were assessed.

PIF and BAS were applied to patients who agreed to participate in the study and met the inclusion criteria. Then blood was drawn for biochemical tests and cortisol findings and EKG was taken. Patients were randomized 1:1 into groups by a single therapist at a single institution according to a parallel design. There were three treatment arms in the study: Reiki treatment (n=22), Sham Reiki treatment (placebo)(n=22), and a control group with no treatment (n=22). A second-degree Reiki practitioner applied Reiki to the energy centers for 30 minutes in the Reiki group. On the second day, distant Reiki was also conducted for 30 minutes. The Sham Reiki group, on the other hand, was handled similarly to the Reiki practice by a student who had not been trained in Reiki. In the control group, nothing was done. One week later, BAS was applied to all patients, blood was drawn for biochemical testing and an ECG was recorded.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 and over
  • No communication problem
  • Diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia
  • Who agree to participate in the Reiki practice
  • Who is competent to answer the data collection tools to be used in the research
  • Patients who have not used complementary practices in the last six months

Exclusion criteria

  • Reiki practitioner or trainer,
  • Have received energy therapies such as Reiki/therapeutic touch,
  • Patients who were diagnosed with another disease during the research process.

Treatment and study plan

reiki

Other

Consisting of the words "rei" meaning "spirit" and "ki" meaning "universal life force", Reiki means spiritually directed life force energy. Reiki practice has an important place in modern medicine and the nursing profession because it cures many diseases resistant to known treatments, has no side effects, is easy to apply, is safe, effective and economical.

In the Reiki method, which is one of the complementary and alternative methods, energy is transferred through the hands. Its basis is based on the principle that when there is a blockage in an energy center, disease occurs and the energy transferred by touching, strengthens and heals the body's self-healing ability by opening the blockages. Reiki practitioners who have received training and initiation perform the practice by holding their hands in certain positions on the recipient's body.

sham reiki

Other

Sham means to pretend; therefore, in this study, the sham Reiki placebo provider pretended to perform a Reiki session by moving her hands on the patient's body in a specific order for a 30-minute period following strictly operationalized measures.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from Sodium values at a week

    Time frame: -Within 1 hour of first admission. -A week later.

    In this section, there is Sodium value required for the normal electrical activity of the heart.

  2. Change from Potassium values at a week

    Time frame: -Within 1 hour of first admission. -A week later.

    In this section, there is Potassium value required for the normal electrical activity of the heart.

  3. Change from Calcium values at a week

    Time frame: -Within 1 hour of first admission. -A week later.

    In this section, there is Calcium value required for the normal electrical activity of the heart.

  4. Change from Magnesium values at a week

    Time frame: -Within 1 hour of first admission. -A week later.

    In this section, there is Magnesium value required for the normal electrical activity of the heart.

  5. Change from Baseline Cortisol at a week

    Time frame: -Within 1 hour of first admission. -A week later.

    In addition, individuals with arrhythmia experience stress and have a blood cortisol value due to the relationship between stress and cortisol hormone.

  6. Change from Baseline Heart Rhythm at a week

    Time frame: -Within 1 hour of first admission. -A week later.

    In order to determine cardiac arrhythmias, 12-lead ECG was taken from the individuals within the scope of the study.

  7. Change from Baseline Beck Anxiety Scale at a week

    Time frame: -Within 1 hour of first admission. -A week later.

    The scale measured the frequency of anxiety symptoms and signs experienced by the individual. The scale is a Likert-type scale consisting of 21 items and scores between 0-3. The minimum score to be taken from the scale is 0 and the maximum score is 63. As the score obtained from the scale increases, the anxiety of the individual increases.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ankara Medipol University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Reiki on Heart Rhythm, Biochemistry, Cortisol Findings and Anxiety in Individuals With Arrhythmia: A Randomized Prospective, Single-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Study

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Aug 2, 2022
Registry last updated
Aug 2, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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