The Effect of Reiki Therapy in Pediatric Oncology Patients

The study was conducted based on randomized controlled experimental design with double-blind, pre-test-post-test to determine the effect of Reiki applied to pediatric oncology patients aged 5-7 years on pain, vital signs, oxygen saturation (SpO2) and quality of life. While the population of the study consisted of oncology patients aged 5-7 years who were hospitalized in the pediatric oncology services between December 2020 and November 2021, the sample consisted of 66 children diagnosed with leukemia who met the sample selection criteria. The research consists of 3 groups. These groups are Reiki group (n=22), Placebo group (n=22), control group (n=22). The data are collected using Introductory Information Form, Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale (W-BPS), Vital Signs Follow-up Form, The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 3.0 Cancer Module Child and Parent Form. Reiki was applied to the Reiki group for 20-30 minutes for three consecutive days and Placebo was applied to the sham Reiki group by an independent nurse during the same application period. The children in the control group were like the routine of the ward.

Inclusion Criteria:Being treated in the pediatric oncology service at the time of the studyBeing between 5-7 years oldBody temperature being within normal limitsTo have received at least 1 course of chemotherapyAbsence of visual, auditory problems or mental retardation at a level that can fill the scales,Exclusion Criteria:To have taken analgesic medication in the last 6 hours,Have received any energy and body-mind therapy (yoga, reiki, massage, meditation, healing touch) in the last six months