proofreeder
Research Proposal
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Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL |
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RESEARCH PROPOSAL |
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Research Proposal - Introduction
Reiki is a form of energy healing and is an alternative treatment method. Reiki is a healing technique based on the principle that a Reiki Master can channel energy by means of touch to the client that activates a natural healing process. The goal of Reiki is to move the energy around the patient’s body to restore physical ailments and promote well-being. Reiki is a Japanese technique where there is unseen, spiritually guided life-force energy that flows through us to improve one’s health and enhance the quality of life (The International Center for Reiki Training, 2017).
The author will perform a literature review based on the submitted annotated bibliography assignment, state the research question and hypothesis, explain the methods used in the sample, procedure, and analysis. Ethical considerations will be considered and reviewed relating to the research question. Expected results will be examined, potential limitations, and conclusions drawn. All references will be cited so readers can follow and locate any sources relative to this study.
Literature Review
In the first article, the increasing use of reiki as a complementary therapy in specialist palliative care, the authors examine the development in the last decade the increase in the integration and usage of complementary therapies (CT’s) as an adjunct therapy to conventional medication care and treatment. According to Burden, Herron-Marx, and Clifford (2005), “Documented benefits of relaxation, decreased perception of pain, reduced anxiety and improved sense of wellbeing have been shown to enable an enhanced quality of life, where curative treatment is no longer an option.” (Introduction). Moreover, Reiki is a recent addition to a recognized CT for cancer patients as an energy-healing intervention. Reiki has gained popularity as a non-invasive and non-pharma logical treatment that produces profound relaxation, relief from anxiety, stress, pain, and promotion of a feeling of wellbeing. Although there is no evidence supporting its effects within clinical practice, the article takes the position of Reiki as an emerging CT, but does infer the need for more research. This peer-reviewed article was a blind peer review performed in United Kingdom.
The next article by Jane Hart, discusses how she started an energy based, medicine practice with therapeutic touch and created a program providing a philosophy of care based on an energy healing technique, also known as a form of Reiki, based in San Antonio, Texas. This article highlights the increasing acceptance of energy medicine as an alternative healing modality as an important healing practice in the medical community. This type of energy medicine therapies is more common and are offered in hospitals as a complementary therapy. Energy medicine is becoming widely accepted and are prescribed part and parcel to patients’ treatment regimens. Even though energy medicine is more prevalent and accepted alternative healing therapies, there is still controversy due to the lack of understanding the physiologic mechanisms behind energy medicine, credibility, lack of high-quality research, randomized controlled trials, and evidence based supporting biofield therapy research. Moreover, there is an increasing need for energy medicine in a medical setting providing physical, emotional benefits, and comfort. According to Hart (2012), “While the field of energy medicine has come a long way, there are still some obstacles to overcome in order to continue advancing in the medical community.” (Conclusion). This research design was experimental, randomized, and performed a pre-test-post-test.
The third article reviewed discusses the theory of Reiki, historical review, the practice of Reiki and the growing popularity of this biofield energy therapy. According to Miles and True (2003), “Although systematic study of efficacy is scant thus far, Reiki is increasingly used as an adjunct to conventional medical care, both in and out of hospital settings.” (Introduction). The authors do a good job of outlining the use of Reiki in a clinical setting and examine important consideration in establishing Reiki programs within health care industry. The authors performed a significant amount of research literature reviews and evaluated the direction for future Reiki research. Although the authors reviewed over 70 related articles, they reported that the literature currently consists of a limited number of reported cases, descriptive studies, or randomized controlled studies. According to Miles and True (2003), “Although it comes mostly from descriptive studies or randomized controlled trials with design limitations, evidence of the beneficial effects of Reiki makes a compelling case for the need for further research.” (Directions of Future Research). This article’s research consisted solely of literature reviews.
The last article examined article is different than the others in that is discusses the difficulty in conducting research on the efficacy of Reiki, while outlining the increased success of Reiki as a complementary and alternative healing method to Western medical treatment. This article is similar to the others in its understanding of what Reiki is, the theory behind it, history, and biofield energy alternative treatment that compliments traditional medical care. Out of all the other articles, this article articulates the use of Reiki in a comprehensive medical setting and discusses in depth professional standards, which the other have little or nothing considered. This article is comparative to all the others I’ve reviewed in that is reiterates the lack of studies reported in literature and a limited number of case reports, but does pose the question that out of all the studies conducted, the number of patients reviewed were significantly smaller overall than other related subjects. This article studied randomized, controlled studies with design limitations. As with the other articles, the authors state that there is a need for further research and studies that build upon current research already performed.
Research Question and Hypothesis
The following research proposal will examine the author’s hypothesis: Reiki energy healing, using the touch method, as a viable technique in treating anxiety in a patient, when compared to patients receiving normal interventions. Reiki is an alternative healing modality based on the principle that a Reiki Master can channel energy into a patient by means of laying of hands or hovering slightly about a client to activate the life-force energy that starts a natural healing process to restore physical and emotional health.
Methods: Sample, Procedure, and Analysis
The methodology for studying this hypothesis will use descriptive research methods, which is considered non-experimental. Descriptive research ethical consideration is critical and has benefits over experimental research designs in terms of ethical concerns (Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching, n.d.). Descriptive research’s primary focus is ensuring the safety of human subjects and that ethical practices are being used through observational, case study, and survey methods. Quantitative research design will be employed that will provide or disprove the hypotheses by a statistical analysis.
The first sampling will be participants solicited at Reiki Centers, Chiropractor practices, and other non-traditional healing clinics on a volunteer basis. These volunteers will be picked at random for descriptive research through observational and survey methods. In addition, a survey will be employed to participants that answer questions through exit interviews.
Survey questions will be formulated to inquire and provide more information about the adolescent women prior to going through the program (pretest). The researcher will review the questions with their peers to ensure there are no double-barreled, loaded, or negative wording questions while ensuring there are no open-ended questions. This will not be an interactive questionnaire and provided only to the control group by a facilitator.
The data will be analyzed using a linear regression statistical method to either quantify the hypothesis or reflect the null hypothesis by either predicting the coefficient determination. This method will provide if the intercept between the independent and dependent variable can be shown as a liner or a non-liner relationship. Additional constructs can be employed to include base Baseline blood pressure, self-reported anxiety level, does the patient believe they have anxiety, and diagnosed with anxiety by a medical professional. Other tests can be employed such as State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Charles D. Spielberger – Adult (STAI-AD) – measure anxiety among adults and differentiates between the condition of “state of anxiety” and the quality of “trait Anxiety” to distinguish between the client’s feelings of anxiety. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) Sheldon Cohen – Instrument for measuring the perception of stress by a client.
Ethical Considerations
With this research question, the primary goal of a research psychologist is centered on protecting the participants from harm, while minimizing the risk, and select participants that could benefit from the research. Section 8.01, Institutional approved is required and approval obtained prior to conducting the research and in accordance with the approved protocol to ensure ethical practices are being used and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) that governs the research (American Psychological Association, n.d.). In addition, Section 8.02, Informed Consent to Research is part and parcel to the principles of descriptive research. Voluntary participation and informed consent guarantee each participant that they are fully informed and potential risks have been identified. Lastly, Section 8.10 of the ADA ethical principle standards dictates reporting of the research data and results accurately, without deception.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the original hypothesis Reiki energy healing, using the touch method, as a viable technique in treating anxiety in a patient, when compared to patients receiving normal interventions result show promising in that Reiki can be used to reduce and treat anxiety.
In addition, there is sufficient evidence and research compiled that would support these types of programs and interventions alongside the use of traditional methodologies.
The author presented a literature review based on the submitted annotated bibliography assignment, discussed the research question and hypothesis, explained the methodology used in the samples, potential procedures, and analysis through observational, case study, and survey methods. Ethical considerations were outlined and reviewed narrating the research question. Expected results were examined, potential limitations were presented, and conclusions drawn. All references have been cited and any sources relative to this study were discussed in support of the research question.
References
Burden, B., Herron-Marx, S., & Clifford, C. (2005). The increasing use of reiki as a complementary therapy in specialist palliative care. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 11(5), 248-253
Hart, J. (2012). Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, and Reiki: Energy Medicine Advances in the Medical Community. Alternative & Complementary Therapies, 18(6), 309-313. doi:10.1089/act.2012.18609
Miles, P., & True, G. (2003). Reiki--review of a biofield therapy history, theory, practice, and research. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 9(2), 62-72. Retrieved from https://search-proquest- com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/docview/204828195?accountid=458
Nield-Anderson, L., & Ameling, A. (2000). The empowering nature of Reiki as a complementary therapy. Holistic Nursing Practice, 14(3), 21-29.
The International Center for Reiki Training. (2017). Reiki. Retrieved from http://www.reiki.org/