Open AccessHome-Based Reiki by Informal Caregivers
Author(s) -
Yea-Jyh Chen,
Amy Petrinec,
Pamela S. Stephenson,
Rosanne M. Radziewicz,
Denice Sheehan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
holistic nursing practice
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.363
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1550-5138
pISSN - 0887-9311
DOI - 10.1097/hnp.0000000000000450
Subject(s) - medicine , therapeutic touch , intervention (counseling) , mood , family caregivers , quality of life (healthcare) , nursing , family medicine , clinical psychology , alternative medicine , pathology
This pilot study explored whether Reiki delivered by family caregivers to cancer patients in a home setting was feasible in reducing cancer symptoms and enhancing health-related outcomes. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study design was applied using pre-/post-Reiki questionnaires and post-Reiki interviews. Six patient-caregiver dyads from an outpatient clinic and cancer support facilities in northeast America performed daily Reiki at home for 3 weeks. Differences with symptoms, mental well-being, health-related quality of life, and satisfaction with at-home Reiki as well as qualitative content analyses were evaluated. Positive feedback was reported after at-home Reiki practice. Large statistical effects were identified for improving fatigue, memory, mood, nausea, and emotional well-being ( P < .10, r = 0.51-0.59). All participants were satisfied and 83.3% of them would recommend self-practice home Reiki. High involvement and adherence to the intervention protocol illustrated intervention fidelity. The qualitative data revealed 2 major categories, perceived benefits and barriers. Overall Reiki benefits outweighed barriers in relation to time commitment and place distractions/positioning. Our preliminary findings support that the at-home Reiki protocol had potential benefits and was feasible and acceptable by both community-dwelling patients and their family caregivers in promoting cancer-related outcomes. Further studies with larger samples are warranted to examine the effectiveness of home-based Reiki for a patient-centered cancer care modality.