The effects of reiki therapy on anxiety, pain, and symptom management in patients receiving cancer treatment in a tertiary cancer hospital: A pilot study

Title : The effects of reiki therapy on anxiety, pain, and symptom management in patients receiving cancer treatment in a tertiary cancer hospital: A pilot study

Abstract:

Background: Cancer patients undergoing treatment frequently experience significant physical and psychological distress, including pain, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. Despite advances in medical management, symptom burden remains high. Complementary therapies such as Reiki, a non-invasive energy healing technique, have gained attention for their potential to alleviate these symptoms; however, robust evidence in oncology settings remains limited.
Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Reiki therapy in reducing anxiety and pain, and improving overall symptom management, quality of life, and patient satisfaction among individuals receiving cancer treatment in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial design with a pre-post assessment was employed. A total of 98 adult cancer patients experiencing treatment-related anxiety or pain were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (Reiki therapy plus standard care) or the control group (standard care alone). The intervention consisted of a single 30-minute Reiki session delivered by certified practitioners. Outcomes were measured using validated tools, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention.
Keywords: Reiki Therapy, Cancer Care, Anxiety, Pain Management, Complementary Medicine, Quality of Life

Biography:

Mrs. Jyoti Somabhai Patel is a distinguished oncology nurse leader and Nurse Manager at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, with over 32 years of extensive experience in cancer care, preventive oncology, research, and health system strengthening. She holds a PhD in Psychology and has completed an Executive Program in Public Health Policy, Leadership and Management from AIIMS Jodhpur. Her academic qualifications also include an M.Sc. in Counselling and Spiritual Health, an MBA in Hospital Administration, a Diploma in Nursing Administration, and Registered Nurse and Midwifery certification. Mrs. Patel has played a pivotal role in advancing preventive oncology services, leading large-scale cancer screening, early detection, and community awareness initiatives across Tata Memorial Centre and its outreach programs. She is deeply committed to capacity building and has trained nurses, ANMs, and community health workers, strengthening grassroots cancer prevention efforts. An active researcher, she has authored and presented multiple studies in national and international forums. Her publications focus on cancer awareness, screening practices, psychosocial well-being, financial burden in cancer care, and innovative interventions such as yogic approaches for tobacco cessation. Her research has been presented at prestigious platforms including the UICC World Cancer Congress, Singapore Nursing Research Conference, and CNSA & ICCN Congress, Australia. Recognized for her leadership and contributions, including an award from BARC, Mrs. Patel continues to influence oncology nursing through research, education, and global collaboration. Her vision is to reduce the cancer burden through nurse-led innovation, early detection, and community-driven preventive strategies.