Impact of integrative energy healing on anxiety among individuals with cancer.

Cancer diagnosis during adolescence can be overwhelming, often leading to heightened anxiety levels due to physical discomfort, treatment stress and psychological burden. Reiki therapy, an energy-based healing technique, has gained attention as a complementary approach to alleviate anxiety. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the impact of Reiki therapy on anxiety levels among adolescents (aged 13-17) with cancer in selected hospitals in Gujarat. A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control group design was used with 92 participants (46 in the intervention group and 46 in the control group). The intervention group received six daily sessions of Reiki therapy (21 minutes each), while the control group received standard care. Anxiety was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Results showed a significant reduction in anxiety scores post-intervention in the Reiki group (Mean difference = 8.58, p < 0.001), whereas the control group did not show statistically significant improvement (p = 0.055). Thus, the effectiveness of Reiki therapy in reducing anxiety among adolescents with cancer is reported advocate its integration into holistic pediatric oncology care.