1. Home-Based Reiki by Informal Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.
- Author
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Yea-Jyh Chen, Petrinec, Amy, Stephenson, Pamela S., Radziewicz, Rosanne M., and Sheehan, Denice
- Subjects
CAREGIVER attitudes ,PILOT projects ,HOME rehabilitation ,RESEARCH methodology ,PATIENT satisfaction ,CANCER patients ,TREATMENT effectiveness ,QUALITATIVE research ,CONCEPTUAL structures ,PATIENTS' attitudes ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,CONTENT analysis ,DATA analysis software ,REIKI (Healing system) - Abstract
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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