Researchers from the UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Los Angeles, California think Reiki, therapeutic touch, and healing touch warrant further research.
First, the details.
- 66 studies with a variety of biofield therapies in different patient populations were reviewed.
And, the results.
- Studies were of medium quality, overall.
- There was strong evidence for biofield therapies for…
- Reducing pain intensity in people with pain.
- There was moderate evidence for…
- Reducing pain intensity in people hospitalized or with cancer.
- Reducing negative symptoms in dementia and decreasing anxiety in hospitalized patients
- Negative symptoms include apathy, social withdrawal and emotional disengagement, and some experts think they contribute to functional impairment caused by cognitive (reasoning) deterioration
- It was unclear it there was any effect on…
- Fatigue and quality of life in cancer patients
- Comprehensive pain outcomes and affect in pain patients
- Decreasing anxiety in cardiovascular patients was equivalent.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded there’s a need for further high-quality studies.
In addition, “In order to better inform patients of the potential benefits or non-benefits of these biofield-based interventions, clinicians and scientists… should familiarize themselves with current theory, practice and research of such techniques.”
10/31/09 22:47 JR; updated 5/17/11 11:39 JR