Effectiveness of Reiki therapy for preoperative anxiety in cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a Reiki protocol on anxiety levels in the preoperative period of cardiac surgery. Methods: This is a controlled and randomized clinical trial carried out in a university reference hospital in cardiology between June and December 2021. Chunk randomization and allocation by draw with opaque sealed envelopes were carried out in two groups: Control (n=44; not subjected to intervention); and Intervention (n=44; submitted to two Reiki sessions three days before and the day before surgery). The main outcomes (anxiety, well-being and muscle tension) were assessed across sessions using a mixed effects model. To assess the effect size, partial eta squared eta(2)p) values were calculated. Results: Differences in anxiety scores (+2.7 points more than the control), well-being (-0.78) and muscle tension (1.27) were determined, being considered statistically significant (p<0.001). In analyzing the effect size, the experiment better distinguished the variation in the anxiety variable eta(2)p=0.74) than in the other two variables eta(2)p=0.14; eta(2)p=0.23). Conclusion: The study offers favorable evidence for the effectiveness of Reiki in controlling preoperative anxiety after cardiac surgery.