Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease

Purpose of Study and Design:
This study explored the use of Reiki to improve memory and behavior deficiencies in 12 patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease. Pre- and post-test scores of the Annotated Mini-Mental State Examination (AMMSE) and Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist (RMBPC) were compared after four weekly treatments of Reiki (30min per session).
Results:
Results indicated statistically significant increases in mental functioning (as demonstrated by improved scores of the AMMSE) and decreases in memory and behavior problems (as measured by the RMBPC) after Reiki treatment. The results indicate that Reiki treatments show promise for improving certain behavior and memory problems in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease.

Original Article:
Crawford, S.E., Leaver, V.W, Mahoney, S.D. (2006). Using Reiki to Decrease Memory and Behavior Problems in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer’s Disease. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 12, pg. 911–913.

Tumors in Mice

Purpose of Study and Design:
This study assessed the effects of energy healing (hands-on and distance) on mammary tumors in mice. Mice were inoculated with mammary adenocarcinoma tumor. Mice were treated with a hands-on healing treatment 24 hours after tumor inoculation, followed by 3–8 distant healing sessions of 30 minutes each. Distant healing sessions were initiated 1–4 weeks following inoculation. Tumor remission could be divided into two categories depending on the size of the tumor: “large” (>120 mm²) or “small” (<120 mm²) at the time of the first distant healing session.
Results:
Complete tumor remission occurred in 7 of 10 animals with small tumors, and in 0 of 8 animals with large tumors. The timing of the distant healing treatment seemed to be associated with longer survival time as compared to treatment begun weeks later, although this result was only marginally statistically significant (p < 0.08).

Note: This is a short report, in which the details of a control group are not mentioned.

Original Article:
Moga, M.M., Zhou, D. (2008). Distant Healing of Small-Sized Tumors. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 14, pg. 453–460

Stress and Immune Function

Purpose of Study and Design:
This purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 30min of Reiki on a number of physiological and biochemical measures of relaxation and stress reduction in 23 healthy humans. Biological markers related to stress-reduction response included state anxiety, salivary IgA and cortisol levels, blood pressure, galvanic skin response, muscle tension and skin temperature. Data were collected before, during and immediately after the session.
Results:
Reiki significantly reduced anxiety (p = 0.02), decreased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), increased salivary IgA levels (p = 0.03) after treatment. There were no significant changes in salivary cortisol levels. Skin temperature increased and electromyograph (muscle electrical activity/tension) decreased during the treatment, though there were no changes in measures before and after treatment. These findings suggest biochemical and physiological changes in the direction of a relaxation response and immune function.

Original Article:
Wardell, D.W., Engebretson, J. (2001). Biological correlates of Reiki Touch healing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 33, pg. 439-445.