International Study- Reiki for Fibromyalgia 2008

In the fall of 2008, a three month long international study was conducted. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the viability of Reiki for Fibromyalgia as an appropriate treatment for Fibromyalgia symptoms. Two different methodologies for sessions were explored: the commonly used distant healing technique and the lesser known Reiki box method.

Thirty participants from six countries volunteered for the study. This group of individuals provided a good cross-section of Fibromyalgia suffers ranging from those recently diagnosed with the condition and those who had suffered for much longer periods of time. Symptom intensity ranged from minimal to debilitating with some individuals able to cope without medication and some on a wide variety of prescriptions and/or herbal supplements.

Before the study began, each participant was asked to answer a detailed survey about the type, frequency, intensity, and duration of their Fibromyalgia related symptoms as well as their current medication and herbal supplement usage. Expected issues included pain in the extremities; back and shoulder pain; mobility issues; muscle fatigue; joint swelling; headaches; fatigue, fibrofog; unrecuperative sleep; depression; weight gain; and irritable bowel. These survey results were updated on a weekly basis to determine normal symptom fluctuations and any potential changes associated with treatment. 

Treatment took place once each week. Group A received no treatment. Group B received one hour Reiki for Fibromyalgia sessions using the distant healing method. Group C received the same Reiki for Fibromyalgia session but via the Reiki box method over the course of a twenty four hour period. Participants were unaware of which group they were placed and therefore which treatment, if any, they were receiving.

30 participants from 6 countries -3 continents

29 Female, 1 Male

Average 4 years Diagnosed, Longest 17 years, Mean 3 years

Average Medications- 5, Most 37, Mean 5

Average Number of Symptoms 9

Most Common Symptoms

1. Fatigue 28- 93%

2. Back/Shoulder Pain 27- 90%

3. Muscle Fatigue 27- 90%

4. Unrecuperative Sleep 26- 87%

5. Fibrofog 23- 77%

Flare Ups per Month

50% have 2-4

37% have 5 or more

13% have one

Average Intensity of Symptoms

Pain- 7

Fatigue- 7

Fibrofog-5

Depression- 5

Symptom-Free Days per Month

80% have 5 or less

20% have 5-10

Week 1:

Distant Healing Sessions

-         Medications- Reduction to 3

-         Overall Reduction of Symptoms (67%)

-         Elimination of Mobility Issues, Swelling of Joints, and Weight Gain

-         Huge Decreases in Muscle Fatigue (81%), Depression (79%), Pain in Extremities (72%),          Irritable Bowel (67%), Fatigue (63%), Fibrofog (59%), Unrecuperative Sleep (59%), Headaches (45%)

-         Decreases in Severity- Depression, Pain, Fibrofog, and Fatigue (from almost causing disability to just irritating)

Reiki Box Sessions

-         Medications- Reduction to 2

-         Overall Reduction of Symptoms (24%)

-         Elimination of Weight Gain

-         Huge Decreases in Depression (42%), Irritable Bowel (39%)

-         Flare Ups- Decrease from 5+ to 2-4 Symptoms (53%)

-         Increase from 0 to 1-2 Pain Free Days (52%)

-         Decrease in Severity- Fibrofog, (from almost causing disability to just irritating)

Week 2:

Distant Healing Sessions-Consistent Results

-         Elimination of Depression and Fibrofog

-         Huge Decreases in Irritable Bowel (80%)

-         Flare Ups- Decrease from 5+ and 2-4 (20%) to 1

Reiki Box Sessions- Consistent Results

-         Elimination of Depression

-         Huge Decreases in Swelling of the Joints (65%) and Pain in the Extremities (46%)

-         Symptom Free- Increase from 0 to 1-2 Pain Free Days (52%)

-         Decrease in Severity- Depression and Fibrofog (from causing disability to almost unnoticeable

Reiki for Fibromyalgia- Distant Healing Method

Test results of the Reiki for Fibromyalgia therapy showed overall 67% improvement of Fibromyalgia related symptoms; complete eliminations of Mobility Issues, Swelling Joints, Weight Gain, Depression, Fibrofog, and Unrecuperative Sleep as prominent symptoms; marked reduction in intensity for Pain, Fatigue, Fibrofog, and Depression; overall declines of medication usage from an average 3 to 1; and reductions in the number of flare ups from 5+ to 2-4 (80%) and 1 (20%).

Reiki for Fibromyalgia- Reiki Box Method

Test results of the Reiki box for Fibromyalgia therapy showed overall 33% improvement in symptoms; complete elimination of Weight Gain, Depression, and Fibrofog as prominent symptoms; marked reduction in intensity for Fatigue, Fibrofog, and Depression; overall declines of medication usage from an average 8 to 3; reductions in the number of flare ups from 5+ to 2-4 (71%) and 1 (14%); and increases in 1-2 (52%) and 3-5 (29%)symptom-free days.

Recommendations

The results from this three month long international study suggest that both Reiki for Fibromyalgia methodologies have potential as treatments of Fibromyalgia. In each case, marked improvements can be seen even in the first few sessions. Moreover, over time, symptom relief stays consistent with less chaotic reoccurrences as compared to the group receiving no treatment.

It would seem, however, that the distant healing method is more adept at relieving physical symptoms such as pain and fatigue while the Reiki box is finer tuned to relief of mental and emotional concerns. Given these strengths, it is highly suggested that both methods be made available as part of a whole health healing program perhaps in conjunction with transpersonal resources such as meditations, guided imagery exercises, belief work, shadow work, etc. Such a program should be kept extremely flexible to meet the needs of the individual with the intention of encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, self understanding, and self care.