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

Author: Shore AG
Conference/Journal: Altern Ther Health Med
Date published: 2004
Other: Volume ID: 10 , Issue ID: 3 , Pages: 42-8 , Special Notes: rratum in: • Altern Ther Health Med. 2004 Jul-Aug;10(4):14. Comment in: • Altern Ther Health Med. 2004 Nov-Dec;10(6):14 , Word Count: 127


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).