Effect of Reiki Therapy on Quality of Life and Fatigue Levels of Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Background The quality of life of patients receiving chemotherapy decreases, and fatigue is one of the most common symptoms. Reiki is used for cancer patients as an energy-based complementary and alternative method. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Reiki therapy on the quality of life and fatigue levels in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods This was a pretest-posttest, quasi-experimental study with a control group: 70 patients enrolled with 35 participants in the experimental group and 35 in the control group. The experimental group received 6 sessions of Reiki therapy. The data were collected using a Patient Information Form, the Piper Fatigue Scale, and the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results The mean scores on the general well-being subscale in the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire increased in the experimental group and decreased in the control group, whereas the mean scores on the general function and general symptom subscales decreased in the experimental group and increased in the control group. The differences between the groups were statistically significant ( P < .001). The mean Piper Fatigue Scale scores of the experimental group decreased, whereas that of the control group increased; the group differences were statistically significant ( P < .001). Conclusion Reiki can reduce fatigue and increase the quality of life of breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Implications for Practice Reiki therapy can be used as a nursing intervention to increase the quality of life and reduce fatigue in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.