The Impact of Reiki Therapy on Comfort and Quality of Life among Elderly Inmates: A Quasi-Experimental Study

ABSTRACT

Background:

Elderly residents in old age homes often experience reduced physical and psychological well-being, leading to lower comfort and quality of life (QOL). Reiki, a Japanese energy healing technique, has shown potential in enhancing these outcomes. This study evaluated the effect of Reiki therapy on comfort and QOL among institutionalized elderly.

Materials and Methods:

A quasi-experimental, design was used with 230 elderly inmates allocated to experimental (n = 115) and control (n = 115) groups. The experimental group received six Reiki sessions over 11 days, while the control group received routine care. Comfort and QOL were measured at baseline, immediately after intervention, and at two weeks, one month, and three months using standardized tools. Data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U and Chi-square tests.

Results:

The experimental group showed significant and sustained improvements in comfort and QOL compared to the control group at all post-intervention assessments (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Reiki therapy is an effective, noninvasive complementary approach that significantly enhances comfort and quality of life among elderly residents, supporting its integration into geriatric care to promote holistic well-being.

INTRODUCTION

The aging population, particularly those residing in old age homes, often experiences diminished physical and psychological well-being due to chronic illnesses, loneliness, and social isolation. This group is especially vulnerable to mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and a reduced quality of life (QOL).[1] While traditional care primarily focuses on medical treatment, complementary therapies like Reiki have gained attention for their potential benefits. Reiki—a Japanese energy healing technique involving the laying on of hands—is believed to reduce stress, alleviate pain, and enhance both emotional and physical health.[2] Previous research has demonstrated Reiki’s positive effects on pain management, relaxation, and mental well-being.[3,4] However, its application and impact on quality of life, particularly among elderly residents in old age homes, remain underexplored. Quality of life—defined as an individual’s perception of their position in life within the context of culture and value systems—is a crucial indicator of well-being in older adults.[5] Complementary therapies, such as Reiki, may influence emotional health, social interaction, and overall life satisfaction, potentially benefiting institutionalized elderly populations.[6] This study evaluates the effectiveness of Reiki therapy in enhancing the quality of life among elderly individuals residing in old age homes, using a quasi-experimental design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A quasi-experimental, design was utilized to evaluate the impact of Reiki therapy on the quality of life among elderly residents of old age homes. A total of 230 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 115) or the control group (n = 115). Baseline assessments were conducted for both groups to establish initial quality of life measures. The experimental group received six Reiki therapy sessions over 11 days, administered on alternate days (Days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11) by certified Reiki practitioners in a calm, controlled environment to ensure consistency. The control group continued to receive standard institutional care throughout the study period. Post-intervention assessments were carried out immediately after the final session, with follow-up evaluations at two weeks, one month, and three months to determine the sustained effects of Reiki therapy on participants’ comfort levels and quality of life.

RESULTS

The majority of participants in both control and experimental groups were aged 65-70 years (55% and 47% respectively), and most were female (around 64%). Nearly half of the inmates had primary school education (47.8% in control and 41% in experimental), and most were married (67% and 68%). The distribution of participants in the control and experimental groups was comparable across various demographic and background variables, as indicated by nonsignificant P values. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in age (P = 0.082), gender (P = 0.891), education (P = 0.830), marital status (P = 0.469), religion (P = 0.642), duration of stay (P = 0.811), frequency of family meetings (P = 0.678), previous occupation (P = 0.458), and health issues (P = 0.756). This suggests that both groups were homogeneous at baseline, supporting the validity of subsequent comparisons.

Comfort scores were compared between the experimental and control groups at two weeks, one month, and three months post-intervention. Statistically significant differences were observed at all three time points (P = 0.001), indicating that the experimental group, which received Reiki therapy, experienced significantly greater improvement in comfort compared to the control group [Table 1].

Table 1.

Comparison of post-test score of comfort between experimental and control groups n=230

Observation	Group	Mean±SD	U	P
At two weeks	Experimental	126.86±124.83	3020.5	0.001
	Control	100.15±10.24
At one month	Experimental	111.95±10.033	2275.5	0.001
	Control	101.23±9.35
At three months	Experimental	113.82±9.12	1884.5	0.001
	Control	100.79±9.18

SD=Standard Deviation

Quality of life (QOL) scores were compared between the experimental and control groups at two weeks, one month, and three months post-intervention. Statistically significant differences were observed at all time points (P = 0.001), indicating that the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement in QOL compared to the control group [Table 2]. Reiki therapy significantly enhanced both comfort and quality of life among elderly inmates, demonstrating its effectiveness and positive impact as a therapeutic intervention [Tables 1 and 2].

Table 2.

Comparison of post-test score of QOL between experimental and control groups n=230

Observation	Group	Mean±SD	U	P
At two weeks	Experimental	102.83±13.18	3748	0.001
	Control	92.76±10.75
At one month	Experimental	103.07±12.95	3561	0.001
	Control	92.43±11.13
At three months	Experimental	106.39±13.29	2892.5	0.001
	Control	92.44±10.79

QOL=Quality of life, SD=Standard Deviation

DISCUSSION

The present study demonstrated that Reiki therapy significantly improved both comfort and quality of life (QOL) among elderly inmates, thereby supporting its value as a complementary therapeutic intervention. Comfort scores in the experimental group were significantly higher at all post-intervention time points (P < 0.001), confirming the positive effects of Reiki. These findings are consistent with those of Lee et al.[2] who reported reduced pain and enhanced relaxation in elderly patients and O’Neill et al.[4] who observed improved comfort levels among nursing home residents receiving complementary therapies, such as Reiki. Similarly, QOL scores in the experimental group showed significant improvement at all observation points (P < 0.001). These results align with studies by Teixeira et al.[7] and Bradt and Dileo,[6] which highlight the beneficial impact of Reiki on emotional well-being and overall quality of life in older adults.

CONCLUSION

The findings support the integration of Reiki as a noninvasive, holistic approach to address emotional and physical well-being in geriatric care. Reiki may serve as a valuable complementary therapy alongside conventional care practices.

Strengths

The study’s quasi-experimental design with multiple follow-ups allowed for assessing the sustained effects of Reiki therapy. A large sample size and standardized tools enhanced the reliability of the results. Conducting the study in real-world old age homes improves its applicability to similar settings.

Limitations

The non-randomized design may introduce selection bias, and the lack of blinding could affect participant responses. The study’s setting in selected old age homes limits the generalizability to wider elderly populations.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.