OR RN Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix Glendale, Arizona, United States
Disclosure(s):
Kenneth Rooth, RN, BSN: No financial relationships to disclose
Description: Reiki in Pre-Op Pilot Study: Evaluating the Feasibility and Impact of Reiki on Preoperative Anxiety
Clinical problem/Significance: Preoperative anxiety can persist through surgery and affect recovery, often linked to complications such as tachycardia, hypertension, and delayed wound healing.
Heightened preoperative anxiety correlates with anxiety upon arrival in the PACU and at PACU discharge, potentially leading to an extended hospital stay, impaired recovery, and lower compliance with postoperative care.
Background: Studies on Reiki's efficacy in reducing preoperative anxiety suggest it may offer a complementary, anxiety-reducing intervention for surgery patients.
Clinical Question: Is it feasible to provide Reiki in Preop, and does it decrease perioperative anxiety?
Description of Evidenced-Based Protocol: With the focus on patients scheduled for spine surgery, a standardized 10-minute Reiki session was used as the intervention. Anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), administered before and after the intervention. Additionally, vital signs were recorded prior to and following the session to assess physiological changes associated with anxiety.
Implementation of Evidenced-Based Protocol: Over a two-week period, 16 patients scheduled for spine surgery were recruited. After the Pre-Op RN completed their workflow, patients were introduced to Reiki as a potential intervention for perioperative anxiety. Those who consented participated in the standardized Reiki session. Following the intervention, anxiety levels and vital signs were reassessed to measure potential changes.
Results: Sixteen patients were invited to participate, with 15 agreeing (94%). Of these, 80% had family members who chose to also participate. Anxiety levels reduced in 100% of patients, with an average decrease of 12.3 points on the SAI (from 49.6 to 37.26). Additionally, 58% of patients who reported pain pre-Reiki experienced a reduction in pain post-session.
Conclusion/
Discussion: Reiki can effectively reduce preoperative anxiety and pain in a non-disruptive way, offering a complementary approach to traditional anxiety management. Patient feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a willingness to repeat the experience before future surgeries.
Perioperative Nursing Implications: This study demonstrated the feasibility of providing Reiki in the preoperative setting, effectively reducing patient anxiety and pain levels and gaining high patient and family satisfaction. This intervention holds promise for enhancing patient experience and surgical outcomes, warranting further research into its application in various surgical specialties.
