Potter, P.J. (2007). Breast biopsy and distress: Feasibility of testing a Reiki intervention. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 25, 238–248.
To determine the feasibility of testing Reiki, a complementary therapy intervention, for women undergoing breast biopsy
A two-group study design was used: conventional care group (CCG) and Reiki intervention group (RIG). The intervention (Reiki treatment lasting 45–50 minutes) was delivered at the local complementary therapy office. The Reiki treatments were given on two occasions: one within seven days of biopsy and one within seven days following biopsy. Six trained Reiki practitioners delivered the Reiki treatments.
Patients were undergoing the diagnostic phase of care.
A randomized controlled trial design was used.
Neither group displayed significant amounts of distress (as operationalized by the three measures) either before or after breast biopsy. Likewise, there were not significant differences in any of the measures between groups (RIG and CCG) over time. Over time (pre to post breast biopsy), there were significant decreases for both groups in the A-state (F (2) = 4.78, p = 0.0119), HADS total (F (1) = 6.18, p = 0.0187), and HADS anxiety subscale (F (1) = 12.96, p = 0.0011).
The study did not conclude that Reiki was an effective intervention for reducing biopsy-related distress.
Simple complementary interventions integrated within the clinical setting (thus not requiring patients to commit to off-site interventions) should be considered. Effective ways to recruit and maintain enrollment in clinical trials of complementary therapies should continue to be investigated.