Effects of Reiki on the Perception of Quality of Life Determined by the Questionnaire WHOQOL-BREF.

Reiki is a philosophy and healing technique that directs the use of vital energy (ki) for energy rebalance, as well as healing, in a holistic sense, of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual processes. The practice is part of the integrative and complementary practices recognized by the World Health Organization. This study aimed to evaluate the Reiki effects on people's life quality perception, by using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). We analyzed the answers of 144 individuals, and the data were categorized in quartiles according to the number of Reiki sessions attended. The results of each question and dimension of the questionnaire were analyzed by Student's t test (individual questions) and analysis of variance (dimensions). We observed significant improvement in the perception of physical pain, need for medical treatment, meaning of life, physical environment, availability of money, availability of information, locomotion, work capacity, access to health, place of residence, and transportation facilities. Reiki sessions have improved people's quality of life perception in many aspects, proving its therapeutic efficacy in a broader approach to health promotion.

Essential oils from leaves of Vernonanthura montevidensis (Spreng.) H. Rob.: chemical profile and antimollicute potential.

Aiming to valorise the Atlantic Rainforest biodiversity in Santa Catarina, the chemical characterisation of the essential oils (EOs) from leaves of Vernonanthura montevidensis (Spreng.) H. Rob. is described for the first time. Fresh leaves collected in the year 2014 and 2015, were submitted to hydrodistillation to give pale blue EOs in yields of 0.21 and 0.19%, respectively. The EOs were characterised by GC-MS and GC-FID semi- and quantitative methods. The monoterpene ß-pinene was the major constituent in both samples reaching a maximum of 26.3%. The monoterpene α-pinene and the sesquiterpene ß-caryophyllene, were also among the major constituents in both samples. By means of the extracted ion chromatogram procedure, it was possible to detect chamazulene, which was associated with the pale blue colour of the essential oils. In the in vitro antimollicute assays, the essential oil was moderately active against Mycoplasma genitalium and M. pneumoniae with MIC values of 250 µg mL-1.