Heart Rate Variability in a Study on Reiki Treatment

Objective: The objective of this work was to determine any changes in HRV (heart rate variability) using shorttime measurements (140 seconds) in a quasi-experimental therapeutic application study on Reiki.Method: HRV was determined using a ready at hand electrocardiogram device the size of a cellular phone, which requires a measuring time of 140 seconds and electrode contact only with the finger tips.Measurements were performed on healthy test subjects, before and after a defined control rest period and a defined test intervention period (Reiki treatment).27 test subjects were enrolled.Results: SDNN (the standard deviation of all heartbeat intervals in ms) and TP (total power of heartbeat interval variability in the frequency range 0.003 -0.4 Hz in ms 2 ) were together interpreted as an indicator of test subjects' autonomic nervous activity and as a measure of their ability to cope with demands on their health (regulatory capacity).These values increased both in the control (p < 0.05) and in the test intervention period (p < 0.01).However the increase was more marked after the Reiki intervention (57.8% / 81.7%) than it was after the control rest period (19.6% / 42.8%) (interactions: p < 0.01 / p > 0.05).The LF/HF ratio (sympathico-vagal balance) was interpreted as a measure of the balance between activation and relaxation.No changes in the LF/HF ratio were observed in the course of the control or the test intervention period (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Both control rest and Reiki treatment had a favourable effect on heart rate variability, but the effect of Reiki treatment was markedly stronger.The measurement device used seems to be a promising tool for practical application studies of this kind.