Self-Efficacy for Coping with Cancer Enhances the Effect of Reiki Treatments During the Pre-Surgery Phase of Breast Cancer Patients.


Author: Chirico A1, D'Aiuto G2, Penon A3, Mallia L4, DE Laurentiis M5, Lucidi F1, Botti G6, Giordano A7,8

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

<sup>2</sup>ALTS - Associazione Lotta ai Tumori al Seno, Naples, Italy.

<sup>3</sup>Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.

<sup>4</sup>Departments of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, "Foro Italico" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

<sup>5</sup>Department of Senology, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, Naples, Italy.

<sup>6</sup>Department of Pathology, National Cancer Institute G. Pascale Foundation, Naples, Italy.

<sup>7</sup>Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. giordano@temple.edu.

<sup>8</sup>Deparment of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Conference/Journal: Anticancer Res.
Date published: 2017 Jul
Other:
 Volume ID: 37   ,  Issue ID: 7   ,  Pages: 3657-3665   ,  Word Count: 162  
    BACKGROUND/AIM: Self-efficacy for coping with cancer plays a critical role in influencing psychological cancer-related outcomes, some studies suggested its role in enhancing or reducing the effects of psychological interventions in cancer patients. Reiki has recently been included among the efficacious complementary therapeutic intervention for cancer patients.



PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study evaluated the role of self-efficacy for coping with cancer as buffer of the Reiki treatment effects on cancer-related symptoms in a randomized controlled trial (intervention versus control group) of breast cancer patients (N=110) during the pre-surgery phase.



RESULTS: Results showed that self-efficacy for coping with cancer can influence the effect of a Reiki treatment. Higher efficacious patients showed a more powerful effect of the Reiki intervention on both anxiety and mood than the low efficacious patients.



CONCLUSION: From a practical perspective, the study provides insightful results for healthcare professionals.



Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.



KEYWORDS: CAM; Reiki; Self-efficacy; cancer; surgery



PMID: 28668857