Biological correlates of Reiki Touch(sm) healing

Background. Despite the popularity of touch therapies, theoretical understa nding of the mechanisms of effect is not well developed and there is limite d research measuring biological outcomes. Aims. The aim of this study was to test a framework of relaxation or stress reduction as a mechanism of touch therapy. Methods. The study was conducted in 1996 and involved the examination of se lect physiological and biochemical effects and the experience of 30 minutes of Reiki, a form of touch therapy. A single group repeated measure design was used to study Reiki Touch's(sm) effects with a convenience sample of 23 essentially healthy subjects. Biological markers related to stress-reducti on response included state anxiety, salivary IgA and cortisol, blood pressu re, galvanic skin response (GSR), muscle tension and skin temperature. Data were collected before, during and immediately after the session. Results. Comparing before and after measures, anxiety was significantly red uced, t(22)=2.45, P=0.02. Salivary IgA levels rose significantly, t(19)=2.3 3, P=0.03, however, salivary cortisol was not statistically significant. Th ere was a significant drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP), F(2, 44)=6.60, P < 0.01. Skin temperature increased and electromyograph (EMG) decreased d uring the treatment, but before and after differences were not significant. Conclusions. These findings suggest both biochemical and physiological chan ges in the direction of relaxation. The salivary IgA findings warrant furth er study to explore the effects of human TT and humeral immune function.