The effect of reiki and emotional freedom technique on hemodialysis patients' symptom burden, compliance with disease, life findings and catheter-related pain

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of reiki and emotional release technique (EFT) on symptom burden, disease adaptation, vital signs and catheter-related pain in haemodialysis patients. Material and Method: The study was conducted as a randomised controlled experimental pretest-posttest research model. The research was conducted in two haemodialysis units in the province of Bingöl between September 2023 and January 2025. The study population consisted of all haemodialysis patients in these two hospitals. The sample consisted of 96 patients (Reiki group = 32, Emotional Liberation Technique group = 32 and control group = 32 people) determined by power analysis. The "Dialysis Symptom Index", "End Stage Renal Failure Adjustment Scale", "Life Findings Monitoring Form" and "Visual Analogue Scale" were used for data collection. During the research process, 8 sessions of Reiki and EFT were applied to the patients in the experimental groups, while the patients in the control group continued their routine care practices. Results: As a result of the study, it was determined that the symptom burden of the patients in the reiki and EFT group decreased significantly compared to the control group, their compliance with the disease increased significantly compared to the control group, and their catheter-related pain levels decreased significantly (p<0.05). It was determined that vital signs changed significantly in the weeks of the sessions (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference on vital signs in the control measurement (p>0.05). Conclusion: As a result, it was determined that reiki and EFT reduced the symptoms of haemodialysis patients, increased their compliance with the disease and reduced the pain felt in relation to the catheter. The effects on vital signs changed with the application of the sessions. According to these results, it is recommended that reiki and EFT methods should be included in the care of haemodialysis patients and nurses should be trained on these issues. Keywords: Reiki, EFT, Haemodialysis, Symptom, Nursing Care