So, 2008
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Review
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24 studies (1153 participants)
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VAS, NRS, McGill Pain Index, SF-36, analgesic usage, MPAC, FACT
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Touch therapies(TT): Reiki, Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch
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Sham placebo or ’no treatment’ control
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Pain (acute or chronic)
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Statistically significant reduction of pain with different treatment, especially with Reiki (95% CI: -1.16 to −0.50)
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Not evaluated
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7/10
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McCormack, 2009
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RCT
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n=90 elderly patients with post-surgical pain: n=30 non-contact therapeutic touch, n=30 metronome treatment, n=30 no treatment
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VAS, MPAC,TAS,HAT,pupil size
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Reiki
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Routine care, placebo
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Post-operative pain
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Statistically significant reduction of pain in the Reiki group, worsening of pain in the metronome group (p<0.01)
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Not reported
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7.5/10
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MacIntyre, 2008
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RCT, not blinded
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n= 290 patients (mean age 64) undergoing first time elective coronary artery bypass surgery n=237 at the end of the study
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MEDD, STAI
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Healing Touch
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Visitors and no intervention
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Post-operative pain, anxiety, physical and mental status, length of stay
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Significant reduction of hospital stay and anxiety. No significant reduction of pain
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Not reported
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7.5/10
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Frank, 2007
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RCT, patients, data collection staff and data analyst blinded
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n= 82 females undergoing Stereotactic Core Breast Biopsy: n=42 intervention, n=40 placebo
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VAS
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Therapeutic Touch (TT)
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Sham Reiki
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Post-biopsy pain, lidocaine/ epinephrine dosage
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Increase of pain in both groups, not statistically significant
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Increase of pain in both groups
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7.5/10
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Assefi, 2008
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RCT, patients, data collection staff and data analyst blinded
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n=100 adults with fibromyalgia (23 real direct Reiki: 24= real distant Reiki, 23= sham direct Reiki, 23=sham distant Reiki)
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VAS
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Reiki
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Sham Reiki
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Pain, fatigue, sleep quality, well-being
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Neither Reiki nor touch improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia in all groups
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Not reported
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7.5/10
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Aghabati 2010
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RCT
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n= 90 patients with cancer and normal level of consciousness, age 15–65: n=30 TT, n=30 placebo, n=30 control
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VAS, RFS
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Therapeutic Touch (TT)
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Mimic therapeutic touch and no intervention
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Pain, fatigue
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Statistically significant decrease in pain and fatigue in TT vs placebo or control (p=0.04)
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Excess energy and anxiety in both groups
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8/10
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