Joyce, J., & Herbison, G.P. (2015). Reiki for depression and anxiety. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4, CD006833. 

DOI Link

Purpose

STUDY PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of Reiki for treating anxiety and depression in people aged 16 years and older.
 
TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

Search Strategy

DATABASES USED: MEDLINE®, EMBASE, AMED, Cochrane Collaboration
 
KEYWORDS: Full search terms not described
 
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Reiki provided by a trained therapist, any study design
 
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Not specified

Literature Evaluated

TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: 708
 
EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Cochrane Handbook

Sample Characteristics

  • TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 124
  • FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED  =  3
  • SAMPLE RANGE ACROSS STUDIES: Sample sizes not completely reported, verbal review information suggested a low sample size.
  • KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: One study was with men with prostate cancer, one study was with community-dwelling adults

 

Results

Studies reviewed did not ensure that patients studied had depression or anxiety, so validity of examining impact of Reiki intervention on these problems is questionable. Two of the three studies had high risk of bias. No studies showed a statistically significant benefit.

Conclusions

There is insufficient evidence to evaluate efficacy of Reiki for anxiety and depression.

Limitations

  • Very few studies
  • Poor quality studies

Nursing Implications

The evidence regarding effects of Reiki for anxiety or depression is insufficient to draw any conclusions. If Reiki is to be seen as a serious option for treatment, well-designed research to investigate effects is needed.

Legacy ID

5695