The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60484

Gala True, PhD¹, Judith Quinn, RN, MSN¹, Natalie A. Brown, BA¹, Amanda Millar, BA¹, Ellen Tedaldi, MD, FACP², Etienne J Phipps, PhD¹, and Sherry Pomerantz, PhD³. (1) Center for Urban Health Policy and Research, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, One Penn Blvd., Wister Tower Suite 4442, Philadelphia, PA 19144, (2) Temple Comprehensive HIV Program, Temple University Hospital, General Internal Medicine 1316 W. Ontario st, 1st Floor, Jones Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19140, (3) School of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, One Medical Center Drive, Stratford, NJ 08084

This presentation will describe a randomized, controlled trial of Reiki for adults with advanced AIDS. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, began in March 2002 and will conclude in November 2003 with a projected enrollment of 146 patients. To date, 90 patients with an advanced diagnosis of AIDS, defined as having had a CD4 less than 200, have been enrolled and randomized to receive 3 sessions of Reiki touch therapy over a 6-week period, or standard care (control).

The impact of Reiki on anxiety, quality of life, spiritual well-being, and other clinical outcomes will be discussed. Interim analysis indicates significant improvement in anxiety (using the State Anxiety Inventory) and spiritual well-being (using the FACIT Spiritual Well-Being Scale) for the intervention group as compared to the control group.

Qualitative data was collected to explore the subjective experiences and views of patients in the intervention group. Preliminary analysis of these data reveal that patients report physical sensations of warmth, tingling, and relief from pain during Reiki sessions, and perceived longer-term benefits such as decreased anxiety and an overall sense of well-being in the days after a Reiki treatment. The relationship of the qualitative data to quantitative findings will be discussed, as well as methodological issues involved in evaluating clinical outcomes with a biofield therapy.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• Describe the impact of Reiki on clinical outcomes including anxiety, depression, pain, quality of life, and spiritual well-being for persons with HIV/AIDS.
• Discuss issues involved in efficacy research with a complementary therapy, including tool selection, barriers and facilitators to recruitment and enrollment, and use of qualitative data.
• Review implications of research findings for creation of an integrative care program for patients with advanced AIDS.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.