Title: The Use of Reiki for Patients with Advanced HIV/AIDS

Funded By: National Institutes of Health Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Status: Ongoing

Overview: This study, which will be conducted between September 2001 and September 2003, will investigate the use of Reiki, an energy-based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) intervention, as an approach to improve well-being for patients with advanced AIDS, and evaluate its effects on dimensions of well-being and quality of life.

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a gentle form of "hands-on" energy enrichment that utilizes our vital life force as a healing modality. The study is a two-group comparison between participants receiving Reiki plus usual medical care (treatment) and participants receiving usual. The two study groups will complete several assessment instruments at baseline and after the intervention which will measure the change in anxiety, depression, pain, spiritual well-being and overall quality of life.

Thus far, few studies have sought to document the clinical effects of Reiki, however, if shown to benefit patients with advanced diseases for whom medicine has no possibility of cure, Reiki therapy may constitute an inexpensive and non-invasive intervention to promote quality of life and well-being for more gravely ill patients at end of life.

For more information, please consult our posting on the NCCAM website.

Research Team:
Gala True, PhD, Project Director
Judith Quinn, RN Research Coordinator