The effect of reiki application on pain, anxiety and vital signs in liver transplant patients

This study was conducted to examine the effect of reiki application on pain, anxiety and vital signs in liver transplant patients. The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial between October 2024 and November 2025 at the Liver Transplantation Institute of İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center. The sample consisted of a total of 90 patients, with 45 in the reiki group and 45 in the control group. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I) and Vital Signs Follow-up Form. After the pre-test was administered to all patients, those in the reiki group received a 30-40 minute reiki session conducted by the researcher and immediately after the intervention the VAS, STAI-I and Vital Signs Follow-up Form were completed again. Frequency, percentage, average, standard deviation, independent groups t-test, paired groups t-test and chi-square test were used in the analysis of the data. No significant difference was found between the pre-test VAS, STAI-I and vital signs scores of patients in the reiki and control groups (p>0.05). It was determined that the post-test score averages of all measurements for patients in the reiki group improved compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the within-group comparisons, significant differences were found between the Reiki group and the control group in terms of VAS, STAI-I, pulse rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation (p<0.05). When examining the differences between the pre-test and post-test values of the VAS and STAI-I scores, it was determined that the decrease in the mean scores was greater in the reiki group (p<0.05). It was determined that reiki therapy administered to liver transplant patients reduced their pain and anxiety levels, decreased pulse rate and respiratory rate, increased oxygen saturation and had no effect on body temperature, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. KEYWORDS: Liver transplantation, reiki, pain, anxiety, vital signs