The effect of reiki on abdominal surgery patients' anxiety, fear, pain and life findings

Anxiety, fear of anesthesia, fear of death, and pain may develop in the patient due to the possibility of complications due to surgical intervention, loss of control, changes in daily life activities, and separation from social life. In addition to all these, factors such as pain, fear, and anxiety that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system can increase the pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of reiki on anxiety, fear, pain levels, and vital signs of abdominal surgery patients. The population of the study is all patients who will undergo open abdominal surgery in Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery between June 2020 and December 2020, and the sample is 93 patients (31 from the reiki group, 31 from the sham reiki group, control group) who met the criteria and were selected by simple randomization method. 31 from the group) formed. Personal Information Form, Visual Comparison Scale, Surgical Fear Scale, State Anxiety Scale (STAI-I), Patient Follow-up Form, and Reiki Practice Steps Guide were used to collect data. Reiki or Sham reiki was applied in the operating room pre-op unit on the day of surgery, and in the patient room in the clinic on the 1st and 2nd days after surgery. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out in a computer environment using a package program. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (reiki/sham reiki and control group) in the mean scores of post-operative fear, state anxiety, and pain (p<0.005). The mean values of postoperative fear, state anxiety, pain, blood pressure, body temperature, pulse, and respiration values were found to be lower in the Reiki group compared to the sham reiki and control groups, and the mean of partial arterial oxygen saturation was higher. As a result; It has been determined that reiki applied during the surgical process to patients who are planning for abdominal surgery has an effect on state anxiety, fear of surgery, pain, and vital signs.