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Long-Term Effects of Energetic Healing on Symptoms of Psychological Depression and Self-Perceived Stress
The following is a summary of the research article " Long-Term Effects of Energetic Healing on Symptoms of Psychological Depression and Self-Perceived Stress" by Adina Goldman Shore, PhD. Originally published in the May/June 2004, Vol. 10, No. 3 issue of Alternative Therapies magazine, reprints of the original article may be obtained by contacting: InnoVision Communications, 169 Saxony Road, Suite 103, Encinitas, CA 92024; phone, (866) 828-2962 or (760) 633-3910; email, alternative.therapies@innerdoorway.com
Dr. Adina Goldman Shore's article is the result of a one-year study of the effects of Reiki, a form of energy healing, on psychological depression and self-reported stress. The study investigated the hypothesis that it is the Reiki energy itself, and not the "hands on" touch, that is the healing factor, and examined the long-term effects of Reiki on depression and stress. Dr. Shore also provides some basic information regarding the uses of Reiki, including it usefulness in psychotherapy.
Forty-five participants with symptoms of depression and stress volunteered for this study. Participant were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Hands-on (touch) Reiki, Distance (non-touch) Reiki, and distance Reiki placebo. Participants were not aware of which group would be receiving placebo Reiki. Twelve Reiki Masters, and three second degree Reiki practitioners were chosen to conduct the one to one and one-half hour sessions. Each participant received one treatment weekly for six weeks. The article describes the protocols for the selection of Reiki practitioners and participants for the study, as well as uniformity in the manner in which sessions were conducted.
Three tests, designed to measure levels of depression and stress, were administered to each participant before and after the series of six sessions. One year later, the participants retook the three tests. After testing was completed, the control/placebo group received another six weeks of Reiki treatments, this time with actual Reiki, and the three tests were administered to this group again.
Findings of the study demonstrated that there were no changes in the control/placebo group until they received the six sessions of actual Reiki a year after the first six placebo sessions. Both the hands-on and the distance Reiki were effective in relieving symptoms of depression and stress. Distance Reiki was shown to be slightly more effective than hands on, which ruled out touch as the causative factor, although the difference may have been influenced in part by the project's design (please see original article for details). The results of the placebo group served to rule out any changes due to expectations of the participants. Re-testing a year later demonstrated that the positive results of the six Reiki treatments had remained intact.
Dr. Shore suggests combining Reiki with traditional forms of treatment for psychological depression, because of Reiki's effectiveness, and cost reduction. She encourages further studies of energy healing on other psychological and physiological disorders.
A
Sampling and Overview of Reiki and "Hands-On" Healing Research.
Compiled by Pat Cougar R.N., Reiki Master
In the 1970's, science shifts its view of energy, and quantum physics shows us that we are energy fields moving and interacting with created matter and its energy fields. In the Western world, it was an exciting period of time for a modern "re-discovery" of the existence of a human energy system and using bioenergy for healing. While Russia had the Kirlians photographing the outer energy fields or auras of plants, animals and people, in the United States we had Dr. Thelma Moss doing similar work(1). Through her research we are shown pictures of hands sending energy to another for healing, how and energy field changes during acupuncture, and when a person has taken coffee and a cigarette.
In the next several years, many individuals, universities and institutions conducted research on energy healing modalities. In 1990 Americans spent about $12 billion for alternative therapies(2). This amount was for direct services and did not include equipment, devices, books or preparations such as herbs and homeoPathic medicines. Under public pressure, as well as financial concerns from Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's), in 1992 the National Institute of Health's (NIH) Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) was formed in the United States. Its purpose is to sponsor research into complementary medicine, and in 1994 a report was made available to the public: "Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons(3).
In 1995, William Rand, director of the Center for Reiki Training, published "Reiki Research" on his website(4). He summarizes eight pieces of research to validate the effectiveness of Reiki or similar healing techniques using bioenergy.
In 1997, brewitt, Vittetoe, and Hartwell published a study evaluating the effects of Reiki on chronic illness(5). Five subjects with multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibromyalgia, or thyroid goiter, were given eleven one-hour Reiki sessions over a nine week period. These subjects received no other methods of treatment during the study. Improvement in spleen, immune, and nervous system function were quantified by electrodermal screening. In addition, all subjects reported a reduction of pain, an increase in relaxation, and more mobility after the Reiki.
It seems that nurses have been in a unique position as healing professionals, to help make "hands-on" healing methods more acceptable to the public. Dolores Krieger, professor of Nursing at New York University, developed Therapeutic Touch in the 1970's(6)(7). The theory that one person's energy field could interact with another's to promote healing was into practice in hospitals and other healthcare settings. The American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes this "hands-on" healing method today. Similar approaches, Healing Touch and Reiki, have steadily gained in popularity, particularly among nurses.
In 1980, the American Holistic Nurses' Association (AHNA) was founded and is presently enjoying a large membership of nurses in the U.S. and world-wide(8). One of its many functions is to promote research in holistic nursing. The Association offers research grants and publishes a monthly journal, the Journal of Holistic Nursing, which includes articles on holistic research, current literature, and book reviews.
Nurse Wendy Wetzel, studied the effects of Reiki on hemoglobin, in the late 1980's(9). Dolores Krieger had used hemoglobin studies earlier in her research project for Therapeutic Touch. Both researchers were able to demonstrate measurable physiological effects of these healing modalities on the human body.
For the past ten years, two Reiki Masters, Libby barnett, M.S.W. and Maggie Chambers, have brought Reiki into many hospitals and hospice programs. In their book, published in 1996, they list examples and case studies of effectively using Reiki with psychotherapy, hospice Patients and staff, and in the hospital setting with cancer, AIDS, diabetes, transplant, and surgical Patients(10). Although barnett and Chambers did not do scientific research, the improvements in Patients' condition were observed and documented by medical staff and, most importantly, felt by the recipients. Barnett and Chambers also list several schools of medicine, including Dartmouth, University of Virginia, University of Arizona, and Georgetown University, which introduce medical students to comple-mentary medicine. Barnett and Chambers have also conducted classes on Reiki with first and second year medical students at Tufts. They discuss other programs that use Reiki, such as the well known Wellspring Cancer program, which offers Reiki sessions as part of the week-long residential retreat.
Julie Motz, M.P.H., has pioneered the use of energy healing in the operating room for the past several years(11). She started with her first surgery in 1994 with Dr. Mehmet Oz, a leading cardio-thoracic surgeon in the U.S., working out of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. In 1986, Ms Motz learned Reiki. She has also studied reflexology, macrobiotics, Chinese medicine, ayurvedic medicine, and hypnosis. Ms Motz also has an appreciation of modern science, as she was exposed to physics by her father, a theoretical physicist. She believes that human cells and organs have memory and emotions, and that hiding emotions creates disease. Through her energy work, Patients show less depression, pain lower than average organ rejection rates, a better functioning immune system, and a positive attitude for healing.
In the spring of 2000, the California Board of Registered Nursing issued a statement regarding complementary and alternative therapies in registered nursing practice(12). It describes the ability of R.N.'s to practice complementary therapies and provide information regarding these therapies to Patients.
Stress
and Your Health
by Pat Cougar, R.N., Reiki Master & David M. Pierce, C.Ht.
With our busy lives, many of us have begun to accept stress as a natural part of life. Not all stress is bad. Low levels of stress can motivate us to move forward, take action or accomplish goals. We expect some anxiety when there are changes in our life such as the birth of a child, moving, changing jobs or starting back to school. Eventually, due either to the cumulative effects of continuous lower levels of stress, or a traumatically stressful incident, we can reach a point where stress becomes distress.
When our mental and emotional distress continues and increases in severity, most of us start noticing physical symptoms. Headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, disturbances in sleep, and gastrointestinal symptoms, are just a few problems which can occur. We now know that several major health problems, such as heart disease and cancer, are related to stress levels. The functioning of our immune system is greatly affected as well.
As experiencing some stress is unavoidable, stress management becomes the goal. Prevention is the key in successfully managing our stress and maintaining our physical and mental well-being. Taking time each day for moderate exercise, as well as time to be peaceful, better enables us to handle daily stressors. Setting priorities, allowing yourself to put some things "on the back burner", developing awareness of your "thought habits" - changing negative thoughts to positive thinking, and humor, are all things that contribute to positive and healthful stress management. We now also know that maintaining your "spiritual health" is a vital part of living a healthy, well balanced life.
If you find that you are having difficulty lowering your stress levels, seek support. Talking with family, friends and counselors can help. Take a class that teaches you ways to manage your own daily stress. Examples of these classes would be such things as yoga, tai chi, biofeedback, self-hypnosis, meditation, or energy work such as Reiki.
Don't wait until a major physical symptom or disease takes you to a medical doctor. Be active in your own well-being. Be around to celebrate life.
Pat Cougar R.N., Reiki Master, has been working with bio-energy since the 1980's, and has been a practicing Reiki Master since 1991. She welcomes your comments and can be reached at:
Pat
Cougar, R.N., Reiki Master
P.O. Box 546
Paradise, CA 95967-0546
voice: (530) 877-2367
or
by e-mail