HSR23-115: Stress-Related Biofeedback Responses After Reiki and Sound Healing Therapies for Breast Cancer Survivors

Authors:
Yea-Jyh Chen University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC

Search for other papers by Yea-Jyh Chen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 PhD
,
Claire Ostadi University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC

Search for other papers by Claire Ostadi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Wayland Tseh University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC

Search for other papers by Wayland Tseh in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 PhD
,
Kayla Wightman University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC

Search for other papers by Kayla Wightman in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Hawken V. Hass University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC

Search for other papers by Hawken V. Hass in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 BA
, and
Tamara Link University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC

Search for other papers by Tamara Link in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DNP, FNP-BC
Full access

Introduction: Integrating non-pharmacological modalities into traditional healthcare practice has become increasingly popular. Reiki and Sound Healing therapies provide body-mind-spiritual relaxation and stress reduction. With longer survival rates, breast cancer survivors (BCSs) are more receptive to seeking ancillary strategies to continue their cancer care and maintaining well-being health, specifically, Reiki and Sound Healing therapies. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of both Healing therapies by understanding changes of stress-related biofeedback responses amongst BCSs. Methods: This cross-sectional, randomized trial was conducted to compare therapeutic healing differences. Twenty-two community BCSs (Average age: 59.1±10 years; Time since breast cancer was diagnosed (Mdn): 5.3±8.25 years; Cancer staging: 85% stage I–IIA/IIB) were randomly assigned to 30-min of Reiki Healing (RH) or 30-min of Sound Healing (SH). Biofeedback outcomes included heart rate variability (HRV) and body energy and stress levels using two noninvasive biofield devices. Results: Reiki Healing group perceived higher stress and used previous complementary care compared to SH group (54.5% vs. 27.3%). Both stress and HRV values were significantly improved with large effects before and after RH (p< .05, r=0.59 & η2=0.38, respectively), but not in SH group. Amongst the SH group, however, biofield energy was significantly increased (Mdn: 59.37x10–2 J, p= .03). A positive pattern with greater magnitudes of the changes was more likely observed over the HRV and energy levels within RH group but not consistently shown in the SH group. The overall between group differences were not significantly detected. Conclusions: Reiki healing does improve biofeedback outcomes amongst the study BCSs. These preliminary findings could provide insight into the efficacy of RH as an ancillary non-pharmacological modality for promoting stress management for BCSs. Given the paucity of conclusive literature in RH, more research is needed to determine the efficaciousness of this alternative, complementary health strategy amongst BCSs.

Corresponding Author: Yea-Jyh Chen, PhD

Email: chenyj@uncw.edu
  • Collapse
  • Expand

Metrics

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 1196 476 195
PDF Downloads 0 0 0
EPUB Downloads 0 0 0