USM Professor Seeks Older Adults for Reiki Study
September 11, 2008
Individuals 60+ with depression, anxiety and/or pain to receive Reiki intervention
Nancy Richeson, USM associate professor of recreation and leisure studies, who is a Reiki Master/Teacher and Reiki practitioner, will team up with graduate research assistants and Katherine Lutz, RN, to provide a Reiki intervention for older adults with depression, anxiety and/ or pain to research the effect of Reiki. The research titled “Reiki: Energy Medicine for Older Adults” is for those adults 60 or older who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and/or pain and wish to participate in a complimentary and alternative approach to maintaining optimum health.
Reiki, a light touch, hands-on energy healing is a complimentary and alternative approach to healing. The word Reiki means “universally guided” or “life energy, and consists of two Japanese words Rei, which means “the hidden force” or “spiritual,” and ki, or “life energy”. When life energy or ki is blocked illness can occur. Reiki targets the spiritual, mental/emotional, and/or physical body.
The 30-minute sessions will be held for eight Fridays at USM beginning October 3 and ending November 22, 2008. The intervention is limited to 20 participants and is free of charge. Ten participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group and receive the intervention immediately and ten participants will be randomly assigned to the wait-listed control group and will receive the intervention at a later date.
The Reiki Intervention will be located at University of Southern Maine, in Portland’s Masterton Hall and will offer this class free of charge to older adults who meet the entrance criteria which includes; (a) older adults who are 60 years and older, (b) diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and/or pain, (c) willingness to participate in a eight-week intervention for 30-minute sessions, once a week, (c) willingness to participate in a research study, and (d) have transportation. All participants will be screened for eligibility prior to admission into the project.
According to Professor Nancy Richeson, “Older adults are receptive to alternative and complimentary approaches to health care, but there is minimal research to support their efficacy.” She continues “Reiki is considered a non risk intervention, but care will be given to creating a physically and psychologically safe environment.
For more information about the intervention and to enroll, please contact Nancy Richeson at 207-780-4646, or richeson@usm.maine.edu.
The University of Southern Maine (USM) offers its 10,000 plus students more than 115 areas of undergraduate and graduate study. USM’s location in southern Maine, a region cited as one of the most liveable in the country, offers a range of educational, cultural and recreational opportunities.
