Reiki as an alternative treatment for chronic pain
Reiki Treatment in Older Adults:
Alternative Management for Anxiety, Pain, and Depression
Heather Nicolle Stone
Florida Atlantic University
Reiki Treatment in Older Adults:
Alternative Management for Anxiety, Pain, and Depression Anxiety, depression, and pain are relatively common in older adults, and treatment of these conditions is often challenging (Touhy, 2012, pp. 342-351; Jett, 2012, p. 324). This is due to lack of acknowledgement of these conditions by older adults and healthcare providers, exaggerated side effects of some medications, and concurrent polypharmacy leading to drug interactions (Touhy, 2012, pp. 342-351). For these reasons, non-pharmacologic methods of controlling anxiety, depression, and pain in older adults should be explored. One such method is called Reiki. Reiki, a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), employs energy healing and may be a possible alternative or adjunct treatment for older adults experiencing depression, pain, or anxiety (Richeson, Spross, Lutz, & Peng, 2010, p. 188). Richeson et al. (2010) conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of Reiki treatments on depression, pain, and anxiety in community-dwelling older adults aged 55 plus. The researchers examined a group individuals who had been previously diagnosed with at least one of the following: depression, anxiety, or pain (Richeson, et al., 2010). The individuals were randomly assigned to the experimental group or to the wait-list control group (Richeson, et al., 2010). The experimental group received 45 minute Reiki treatments once a week for eight weeks (Richeson, et al., 2010). At the beginning and end of the treatment period both groups were evaluated for depression, anxiety, and pain (Richeson, et al., 2010). The experimental group also answered questions at the end of the study and themes were drawn from the subjects’ answers (Richeson, et al., 2010). The researchers found that the experimental group had significantly
Alternative Management for Anxiety, Pain, and Depression
Heather Nicolle Stone
Florida Atlantic University
Reiki Treatment in Older Adults:
Alternative Management for Anxiety, Pain, and Depression Anxiety, depression, and pain are relatively common in older adults, and treatment of these conditions is often challenging (Touhy, 2012, pp. 342-351; Jett, 2012, p. 324). This is due to lack of acknowledgement of these conditions by older adults and healthcare providers, exaggerated side effects of some medications, and concurrent polypharmacy leading to drug interactions (Touhy, 2012, pp. 342-351). For these reasons, non-pharmacologic methods of controlling anxiety, depression, and pain in older adults should be explored. One such method is called Reiki. Reiki, a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), employs energy healing and may be a possible alternative or adjunct treatment for older adults experiencing depression, pain, or anxiety (Richeson, Spross, Lutz, & Peng, 2010, p. 188). Richeson et al. (2010) conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of Reiki treatments on depression, pain, and anxiety in community-dwelling older adults aged 55 plus. The researchers examined a group individuals who had been previously diagnosed with at least one of the following: depression, anxiety, or pain (Richeson, et al., 2010). The individuals were randomly assigned to the experimental group or to the wait-list control group (Richeson, et al., 2010). The experimental group received 45 minute Reiki treatments once a week for eight weeks (Richeson, et al., 2010). At the beginning and end of the treatment period both groups were evaluated for depression, anxiety, and pain (Richeson, et al., 2010). The experimental group also answered questions at the end of the study and themes were drawn from the subjects’ answers (Richeson, et al., 2010). The researchers found that the experimental group had significantly
References: Jet, K. (2012). Pain and comfort. In P. Ebersole & P. A. Hess. (Eds.), Toward healthy aging: Human needs and nursing response (pp. 324–364). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. Reiki.Org. (2013). Reiki, questions and answers. Retrieved from http://www.reiki.org/faq/questions&answers.html Richeson, N. E., Spross, J. A., Lutz, K. & Peng, C. (2010). Effects of reiki on anxiety, depression, pain, and other psychological factors in community-dwelling older adults. Research in Gerontological Nursing, 3(3), 187-199. Touhy, T. A. (2012). Mental health. In P. Ebersole & P. A. Hess. (Eds.), Toward healthy aging: Human needs and nursing response (pp. 338–364). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby