The Effects of Reiki on the Stress of Japanese Nurses: Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the effects of Reiki on stress among Japanese nurses. Design: Mixed method and intervention design. Method: A nonprobability snowball sampling was used. Twenty-one nurses were invited to receive the Reiki intervention. Physical responses were measured by pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure rate, and salivary α-amylase activity pre- and postintervention. Psychological responses were evaluated by the mood dimensions and Total Mood Disturbance of the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition. To obtain qualitative data, semistructured interviews were conducted after the intervention, and a web-based questionnaire was completed the following day. Findings: Twenty-one participants completed the study, and results indicated that the Reiki intervention significantly improved psychological stress reactions. No significant differences were found in physical stress. Two categories were identified from qualitative data: “positive effects” and “negative effects”. Codes including “warm,” “body feeling more comfortable,” and “stress awareness” emerged as the positive effects. No adverse events were indicated. Conclusion: The results are the first step toward holistic nursing care in Japan and quantitative and qualitative data confirmed that Reiki improved the psychological aspect of stress responses of Japanese nurses.