The Effect of Distance Reiki on State Test Anxiety and Test Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: This randomized controlled, pretest-post-test intervention study examined the effect of distance reiki on state test anxiety and test performance. METHOD: First-year nursing students (n = 71) were randomized into two groups. One week before the examination, intervention group participants performed reiki remotely for 20 minutes for 4 consecutive days, and control group participants received no intervention. RESULTS: The intervention group had lower posttest cognitive and psychosocial subscale scores than pretest scores (p > .05). The control group had a significantly higher mean posttest physiological subscale score than pretest score (p < .05). Final grade point averages were not significantly different between the intervention and control groups (p > .05). One quarter of the intervention group participants noted reiki reduced their stress and helped them perform better on the examination. CONCLUSION: Reiki is a safe and easy-to-practice method to help students cope with test anxiety. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(5):298-303.].

Is Reiki effective in reducing heart rhythm, cortisol and anxiety and improving biochemical parameters in individuals with cardiac disesase? Randomized placebo-controlled trial.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Reiki in patients with cardiac disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was a single-blind, pre-post-test, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients from the cardiology outpatient clinic of a training and research hospital were randomized into three groups: Reiki (n = 22), sham (placebo) (n = 21), and control (no treatment) (n = 22). Data were collected using a personal information form, biochemical parameters, cortisol levels, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and electrocardiography analysis. The Reiki group received Reiki to nine main points for 30 min, while the sham Reiki group received the same points during the same period without starting energy flow. On day two, performed Distance Reiki for 30 minutes. After one week, the researchers administered the Beck Anxiety Inventory, assessed the biochemical parameters and cortisol levels, and analyzed the electrocardiography again. Of the patients, 52.3% were male and 47.7% were female, and the mean age (years) is 60.45 ± 9.67 years. The control group had a significantly higher posttest cortisol level than the other groups (p = 0.002). According to the post-hoc analysis, there was a significant difference between the Reiki versus control groups and sham versus control groups (p = 0.002). The control group had a significantly higher post-test cortisol level than the pre-test cortisol level (p = 0.008). Reiki group had a significantly lower mean posttest Beck Anxiety Inventory score than the other groups (p < 0.001). There was no difference between the electrocardiography results of the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Reiki reduces blood cortisol levels and anxiety levels in patient with cardiac diseases.

The Effect of Reiki on Pain, Functional Status, and Holistic Well-Being in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease that causes pain and adversely affects functional status and holistic well-being. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of Reiki on pain, functional status, and holistic well-being in patients with knee OA. The sample consisted of 42 patients. The control group received standardized treatment only, whereas the intervention group received face-to-face Reiki (nine positions; 39 minutes) and distance Reiki on two consecutive days in addition to standardized treatment. The Reiki group had lower pain scores than the control group as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (p < .001) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index pain score (p < .001). Those participating in the Reiki group had improved holistic well-being scores specifically for the subscales of Sadness, Perception of Sadness, Spiritual Disruption, Cognitive Awareness, and General mood. Reiki is a safe, noninvasive, and cost-effective alternative treatment technique that has the potential to reduce symptoms of pain and improve holistic well-being in patients with knee OA.

The Effect of Distant Reiki Applied to Individuals with Extremity Amputation on Pain Level and Holistic Well-Being: A Quasi-experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Pain felt in an amputated limb is quite common. Phantom pain affects the lives of individuals in many ways and can negatively affect the holistic well-being of individuals. Distant Reiki can be used in the management of these problems. AIM: This study was conducted to examine the effect of distant Reiki applied to individuals with extremity amputation on pain level and holistic well-being. METHOD: This a quasi-experimental single group pre-test. Post-test design research was conducted between September 2022 and April 2023 and included 25 individuals with extremity amputation. Then, according to Classical Usui Reiki, distant Reiki application has been performed for 20 minutes every day for 10 days. Data were collected at the beginning of the study and at the end of the 10th day. The data were obtained using an Introductory Information Form, the Visual Analog Scale for Pain, and Holistic Well-Being Scale. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 51.32 ± 16.65 years. There was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test pain levels of the participants (p < .05) and HWBS subscale scores (p < .05). Accordingly, it was determined that after 20-minute distant Reiki sessions for 10 consecutive days, the pain levels of the individuals were significantly reduced and their holistic well-being improved. CONCLUSION: Distant Reiki has been found to be easy to administer, inexpensive, non-pharmacological, and appropriate for independent nursing practice to be effective in reducing phantom pain levels and increasing holistic well-being in people with limb amputation.

The Effect of Distant Reiki on the Stress and Fatigue Levels of Nurses Working in COVID-19 Clinics: A Randomized-Controlled, Single-Blind Study.

The study was conducted using a pre/posttest, randomized-controlled, single-blind trial method. After the pretest, a survey was administered and, distant Reiki was applied to nurses in the intervention group (n = 30) for 20 minutes a day for 4 consecutive days at a usual time. No intervention was made in the control group (n = 32). On the second day after the fourth Reiki session, a posttest survey was administered to nurses in the intervention group. The control group, on the other hand, was administered the posttest survey together with the last intervention group. As a result, in the intervention group, there was a decrease in the mean scores of the Helpless Approach subdimension on the Coping Style Scale and an increase in the mean scores of the Optimistic Approach and Social Support subdimensions (P < .05). In the Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue, the mean Fatigue score in the intervention group decreased and there was an increase in the Energy subdimension mean score (P < .05).

Effect of Education About Oral Mucositis Given to the Cancer Patients Having Chemotherapy on Life Quality.

The study was aimed to determine the effect of education cancer patients receiving chemotherapy for prevention of oral mucositis on the quality of life. A total of 60 patients including 30 patients each in education and control groups were included in this randomized controlled study. On the first day of study, Oral Assessment Guide and EORTC QLQ-C30 Version 3.0 were applied to both groups and also it was trained only the education group for the prevention of oral mucositis and explained Patient Education Booklet. The oral mucosae of both groups were evaluated with Oral Assessment Guide on the 5th, 10th, 15th, and 21st day of chemotherapy. EORTC QLQ-C30 Version 3.0 was again applied to them on the 15th day and on the 21st day of treatment. The frequency of oral mucositis in the education group was less than the control group (p < 0.05). The patients' quality of life in the education group in the fields of functional and general health status was higher than the control group and the mean of their symptom score was also lower than control group (p < 0.05). The education to be provided training for the patient can have an important role in preventing oral mucositis developed due to chemotherapy.

Effects of sexual function of essential hypertensions in women.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension, one of the increasingly common chronic diseases, is reported to be an important factor in the formation of sexual dysfunction (SD) due to the physiopathological changes it creates in the vascular endothelial structure. The evaluation of the sexual functions of hypertensive women is regarded as a significant consideration in the improvement of women's health and quality of life. AIM: This study was carried out in order to identify the sexual functions of essential hypertensive women. METHODS: The study was an experimental design. 71 essential hypertensive women with no other chronic disease formed the experimental group, whereas randomly selected 85 healthy married women who hadn't had menopause and didn't have any known chronic disease formed the control group. The research data were collected by "Personal Information Forms I-II", and "Female Sexual Function Index". RESULTS: In the study hypertensive women's overall mean score of FSFI was found to be significantly lower than that of healthy women's (p<0.001). 90% of hypertensive women and 41% of healthy women were found to have SD. It was determined that in the women constituting both groups, age increase raises SD occurrence frequency; however, with the increase in education and income level sexual life related problems decrease. It was also determined that increase in body mass index and duration of disorder raise SD occurrence frequency in women. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that sexual dysfunction is observed in hypertensive women more frequently than healthy women and that essential hypertension affects female sexual functions significantly.

The Quality of Life in Patients With Behçet's Disease.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with Behçet's disease. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample of the study consists of 94 volunteer patients, who were diagnosed with Behçet's disease at least 3 months before the study, were literate, and never diagnosed with a psychiatric illness. Short Form-36 QoL Scale and personal information form were used to collect data. The mean, percentage distribution of the sample were calculated; one-way analysis of variance, student t test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, Shapiro-Wilk tests were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: It was found that QoL scores in patients with Behçet's disease were low and wasaffected by gender, age, work status, education status as well as complaints of oral and genital ulcerations, arthritis, skin lesions and bodily pain. Patients who were suffering from bodily pain, sleeplessness and fatigue were found to score lower in the QoL scale. Moreover, patients who states that their social relationships are affected by the disease had significantly lower QoL scores. CONCLUSION: The need for evaluating the patients holistically and of the planning of their care were highlighted.

Relationship between social support and fatigue in geriatric patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: This descriptive study was conducted with the purpose of determining the relationship between fatigue and social support in elderly individuals receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: It was conducted in the oncology outpatient chemotherapy units of two university hospitals and one research hospital. A total of 71 patients who were 60 years old and older and receiving outpatient chemotherapy were included. Data were collected using a "Personal Information Form," "Social Support Scale in Cancer Patients," and "Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue." RESULTS: Fatigue was the most common symptom (93%) in elderly patients receiving chemotherapy. The elderly individuals' perceived level of social support was found to be "good", the main form of support they received from those around them was "security" and the area most lacking was felt to be "information." As the individuals' level of social support increased, the severity of the fatigue they experienced decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate that social support was imperative in coping with fatigue.

Incidence of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit patients at risk according to the Waterlow scale and factors influencing the development of pressure ulcers.

AIMS: To determine incidence of pressure ulcers in patients at risk according to the Waterlow scale in intensive care units and to evaluate the effects of risk factors in critically ill patients. BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers continue to be an important health problem that increases the risk of illness and death, extends patients' length of hospital stay and increases healthcare expenses. DESIGN: The study was conducted as a descriptive and prospective study. METHOD: The sample consisted of 140 patients. Data were collected using a data collection form, the skin assessment instrument and the Waterlow scale. RESULTS: The incidence of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit patients was found to be 14.3%. The majority of pressure ulcers (74%) were grade I. The mean length of time for pressure ulcer development was found to be 10.4 (SD 1.85) days. A statistically significant difference was found in the patients for pressure ulcer development according to their level of consciousness, activity, cooperation, length of stay, Waterlow scale score and C-reactive protein level. In the multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis, the most influential factors for pressure ulcer development were determined to be length of stay and activity level. CONCLUSIONS: Extra care needs to be taken to prevent pressure ulcer development in intensive care unit patients who have an extended length of stay, are dependent for activities, have high Waterlow scores, are unconscious and are not cooperative. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study determined the incidence of and factors that can affect the development of pressure ulcers in intensive care unit patients who are in a high risk group for the development of pressure ulcers and presented the importance of having Turkish nurses implement interventions directed at these factors.

Review of the methods to prevent femoral arteriotomy complications and contrast nephropathy in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization: cardiac catheterization and care approaches in Turkey.

BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: There are different care and treatment approaches to prevent femoral arteriotomy complications and contrast nephropathy in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. The purpose of our study was to identify approaches widely used in Turkey to prevent femoral arteriotomy complications and contrast nephropathy in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a descriptive study. A questionnaire was mailed to 36 university medical faculty hospitals that have active interventional cardiology units. Twenty-nine universities (80.5%) responded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In general in Turkey, only manual pressure is used to achieve initial hemostasis at the femoral insertion site, with a pressure dressing and sandbag added to maintain hemostasis. Arterial closure devices are rarely used. In general, after the procedure, patients are required to lie flat with, at most, a 15- to 30-degree elevation during bed rest. To prevent contrast nephropathy in patients at risk, intravenous saline solutions are started before the procedure and continued afterward. In other patients, only oral fluid replacement is used. Traditional approaches in the management of femoral artery insertion site continue, and practices used in the prevention of contrast nephropathy are similar to current practices.

Difficulties experienced by families with disabled children.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the difficulties experienced by families with disabled children. DESIGN AND METHOD: This descriptive research study was carried out in one public and two private rehabilitation centers. A questionnaire was used for data collection. RESULTS: Families did not have enough knowledge about their child's condition. Mothers felt severe sadness, and they indicated that after having a disabled child, their social life, working life, and family relationships were all affected. Families also have financial problems. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Parents with a disabled child need support from professionals. Nurses have a vital role in providing support for these families.

The experience of fatigue in Turkish patients receiving chemotherapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine the experience of fatigue in Turkish patients receiving chemotherapy. DESIGN: Descriptive. SETTING: Outpatient unit in a large university hospital in Ankara, Turkey. SAMPLE: 100 patients randomly chosen from those who were undergoing chemotherapy at the outpatient unit. METHODS: Data were collected using a personal information form developed by the investigator and a visual analog scale for fatigue. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Measures taken by patients to cope with fatigue, fatigue experienced by individuals affecting their daily activities, age and gender, disease and treatment factors, and symptoms related to the chemotherapy. FINDINGS: The majority of patients (86%) experienced fatigue, and 73% stated that they coped with fatigue by decreasing their activities and resting more. Age was not a statistically significant factor affecting the level of fatigue, but gender was found to have an effect. Length of illness, number of chemotherapy courses, and the patients' symptoms affected level of fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients experienced fatigue, and most of the measures used to cope with fatigue were not effective. Fatigue affected patients' daily activities. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: A need exists for more and better interventions to help patients cope with chemotherapy-related fatigue.