Effects of Reiki and Self-Acupressure Applications

NCT07083856 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2022/ 11- 14
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Reiki, the subject of our research, is a complementary medicine practice within energy approaches. Discovered in Sanskrit texts by Dr. Usui in Japan in the late 19th century, it was demonstrated through studies demonstrating its effectiveness in symptoms of pain, depression, insomnia, and fatigue. Everything in the universe, including the human body, is composed of energy; any disruption in this energy can lead to illness. There are seven chakras where Reiki is applied. The main chakra centers are located along the spine. During Reiki treatments, the hands are held in each position, touching the head, neck, chest, abdominal cavity, and groin for 3-5 minutes. This period may extend to 10-20 minutes in problematic areas. The average treatment duration is 30-90 minutes. During the treatment, the patient lies down or reclines, and there is no need to remove clothing. During Reiki treatment, individuals may report a slight warming sensation under or near the therapist's hand. The only rule in Reiki practice is that the individual gives the practitioner permission to facilitate the flow of energy. The person receiving Reiki does not need to believe in Reiki during the treatment. Reiki is a universal life energy present in everyone. Reiki is generally safe, and no serious side effects have been reported. Over the last 10 years, Reiki practice has been increasing among physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. This study will compare the effects of acupressure and Reiki treatments on functionality and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

Reiki; Self-Acupressure; Functionality; Quality of Life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life

  The Turkish adaptation of the scale was conducted by Tülek in 2006. Tülek found Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients to be 0.94 for the composite physical health and 0.89 for the composite mental health. This scale was created by adding 18 items related to MS-specific problems to the items related to general health perception (5 items), energy/fatigue (5 items), social functioning (2 items), emotional well-being (5 items), role limitations due to emotional problems (3 items), physical functioning (10 functions), role limitations due to physical problems (4 items), pain (3 items), and health changes found in the SF-36, a widely used generic quality of life scale for many conditions. The MSQOL-54 Quality of Life Scale consists of two main groups: physical health composite and mental health composite, 13 subgroups, and two independent items. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher quality of life.

  4 weeks

• The Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite

  The Scale consists of three subtests: the "9-Hole Peg Test" that evaluates upper extremity functions, the "25-Step Walking Test" that checks lower extremity functions, and the "Step Auditory Serial Addition Test" that evaluates immediate memory and cognitive functions. It was administered within the MSFC.

  4 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Reiki group

EXPERIMENTAL

Group where Reiki was applied

Behavioral: Reiki

Self-acupressure applied group

EXPERIMENTAL

Group where Self-acupressure was applied

Behavioral: Self-Acupressure

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Group with no intervention

Interventions

Reiki BEHAVIORAL

Reiki

Reiki group

Self-Acupressure BEHAVIORAL

Self-Acupressure

Self-acupressure applied group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients who are willing to participate
• Patients who have no communication problems
• Patients who are 18 years of age or older
• Patients who live in the center
• Patients who have no scratches or deformities in the treatment area
• Patients who do not smoke, use drugs, or use tranquilizers, and are not pregnant
• Patients who have been receiving MS treatment for more than three months

You may not qualify if:

• Patients who smoke, use substances, or use tranquilizers
• Have dyspnea
• Have anemia
• Have diabetes
• Have received corticosteroid treatment in the last three months
• Have had an MS attack in the last three months
• Have an autoimmune disease other than multiple sclerosis
• Have signs of infection
• Have a thyroid problem
• Are taking psychostimulant medications
• Have anxiety or depression detected in outpatient clinic screenings
• Refuse to participate in the study
• Have another known neurological system disease (dementia, Alzheimer's, etc.)
• Have a communication barrier will not be included in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Firat University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University

Muğla, Fethi̇ye, 48300, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Interventions

Therapeutic Touch

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Demyelinating Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Spiritual Therapies

Study Officials

• Caner F Demir, MD

  Firat University

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Furkan Bilek, PhD

CONTACT

+905442772249; fzt.furkanbilek@gmail.com

Furkan Bilek

CONTACT

05442772249; fzt.furkanbilek@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The groups doing the analysis will do the analysis without knowing it.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 17, 2025
• First Posted: July 24, 2025
• Study Start: April 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 20, 2025
• Study Completion: September 20, 2025
• Last Updated: July 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)