Reference:
Crawford, S. E., Leaver, V. W., & Mahoney, S. D. (2006). Using Reiki to decrease memory and behaviour problems in mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer’s disease. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 12(9), 911-913.
Objectives:
This empirical study explored the efficacy of using Reiki treatment to improve memory and behaviour deficiencies in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease.
Design:
This study was a quasi-experimental study comparing pre- and post-test scores of the Annotated Mini-Mental State Examination (AMMSE) and Revised Memory and Behaviour Problems Checklist (RMBPC) after four weekly treatments of Reiki to a control group.
Settings/location:
The participants were treated at a facility provided by the Pleasant Point Health Center on the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation.
Subjects:
The sample included 24 participants scoring between 20 and 24 on the AMMSE. Demographic characteristics of the sample included an age range from 60 to 80, with 67% female, 46% American Indian, and the remainder white.
Interventions:
Twelve participants were exposed to 4 weeks of weekly treatments of Reiki from two Reiki Master-level practitioners; 12 participants served as controls and received no treatment.
Outcome measures:
The two groups were compared on pre- and post-treatment scores on the AMMSE and the Revised Memory and Behaviour Problems Checklist (RMBPC).
Results:
Results indicated statistically significant increases in mental functioning (as demonstrated by improved scores of the AMMSE) and memory and behaviour problems (as measured by the RMBPC) after Reiki treatment.
Conclusion:
The results indicate that Reiki treatments show promise for improving certain behaviour and memory problems in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease.