Long-term effects of energetic healing on symptoms of psychological depression and self-perceived stress

Altern Ther Health Med. 2004 May-Jun;10(3):42-8.

Abstract

The long-term effects of energetic healing were examined in an experimental design employing a 3 x 3 factorial MANOVA on symptoms of psychological depression and self-perceived stress as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Hopelessness, and Perceived Stress scales. Forty-six participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: hands-on Reiki, distance Reiki, or distance Reiki placebo, and remained blind to treatment condition. Each participant received a 1 to 1.5 hour treatment each week for 6 weeks. Pretest data collected prior to treatment demonstrated no preexisting significant differences among groups. Upon completion of treatment, there was a significant reduction in symptoms of psychological distress in treatment groups as compared with controls (P < .05; Eta square ranging from .09-.18), and these differences continued to be present 1 year later (P < .05; Eta square ranging from .12-.44).

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Depression / psychology
  • Depression / therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical*
  • Mood Disorders / therapy
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Quality of Life
  • Self Concept*
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy*
  • Therapeutic Touch* / methods
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome