The touchstone process: an ongoing critical evaluation of reiki in the scientific literature.
Author: Baldwin AL, Vitale A, Brownell E, Scicinski J, Kearns M, Rand W.
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Dr Baldwin); Christine E Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida (Dr Vitale); ZephyrBiotech, LLC, Lafayette, California (Dr Brownell); RadioRx, Inc, Mountain View, California (Dr Scicinski); College of Education and Human Development, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Kearns); and International Center for Reiki Training, Southfield, Michigan (Mr Rand).
Conference/Journal: Holist Nurs Pract.
Date published: 2010 Sep-Oct
Other:
Volume ID: 24 , Issue ID: 5 , Pages: 260-76 , Word Count: 162
BACKGROUND:: Reiki is used by a growing number of people but little is known about the scientific basis for its use. PURPOSE:: The Touchstone Process was developed as an ongoing process to systematically analyze published, peer-reviewed studies of Reiki, the results being made accessible to the public online. METHOD:: Thirteen scientifically qualified experts in the field of Reiki were assembled into 3 teams to retrieve, evaluate, and summarize articles using standardized, piloted evaluation forms. RESULTS:: Summaries of 26 Reiki articles, including strengths and weaknesses, were posted on a newly developed Web site (www.centerforreikiresearch.org), together with an overall summary of the status of Reiki research and guidelines for future research: The Touchstone Process determined that only 12 articles were based on a robust experimental design and utilized well-established outcome parameters. Of these articles, 2 provided no support, 5 provided some support, and 5 demonstrated strong evidence for the use of Reiki as a healing modality. CONCLUSION:: There is a need for further high-quality studies in this area.
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