Reiki Healing: A Physiologic Perspective

Abstract

Healing therapies which employ touch and are based on the premise of a human energy field are gaiping in popularity and support. Reiki, a Tibetan healing art, is one such modality. But Reiki has not yet been submitted to close scientific scrutiny. Using Krieger's protocol for hemoglobin studies within the context of Therapeutic Touch, forty-eight adults participating in First Degree Reiki Training were tested. Findings revealed a statistically significant change in the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of the participants at the P =.01 level. A comparable control group, not experiencing the training, demonstrated no change within an identical time frame. Further research is necessary to clarify the physiologic effects of touch healing.