Effects of Reiki learning on anxiety and depression

Abstract

Depression is a condition that today makes up a large part of psychiatric comorbidities. This study evaluated responses to the Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) across the different levels of Reiki practitioners' training (n=2,049). Data were stratified according to each participant's level of Reiki learning, with G0 (with no level of Reiki learning); G1 (having Reiki level I); G2 (Reiki level II); G3 (Reiki level IIIA) and G4 (Reiki level IIIB). The overall prevalence of Probable Anxiety was 10%, with 21.9% of Possible Anxiety (total 31.9%) in the studied population. The overall prevalence of Probable Depression was 5.2%, with 17.5% of Possible Depression (total 22.7%). Probable Anxiety was more prevalent in G0 (P<0.0001) than in the other groups, as well as Possible Anxiety (P=0.0102). Probable Anxiety was less prevalent in G2 (P=0.0336) ) than in G1. Possible Anxiety was lower in G1 than G0 (P=0.0085), as well as in G3 compared to G1 and G0 (P=0.0038), and in G4 compared to G0 (P=0, 0127). Probable Depression was higher in G0 (P<0.0001) than in the other groups, as well as in G0 compared to G1 (P=0.0001). Possible depression was lower in G2 compared to G0 (P=0.0006). It was possible to observe that there was a decrease in cases of possible and probable anxiety as the level of Reiki learning increased, as well as a significant improvement in cases of probable depression.