THE ROLE OF REIKI THERAPY IN

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF

LIFE IN PEOPLE LIVING

WITH HIV

by

SATHIABAMA SEWDUTH

submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements for

the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS

in the subject

SOCIOLOGY (SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR STUDIES IN HIV/AIDS)

at the

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUPERVISOR: MRS GE DU PLESSIS

CO-SUPERVISOR: PROF I MOODLEY

MARCH 2008
 Acknowledgements

The writing of this thesis could not have been adequately and
completely finished without the help of my Supervisor, Mrs. Gretchen
du Plessis. The time, effort, guidance, and especially the true interest
in this topic that she showed in the research and writing is deeply
appreciated. I would like to acknowledge Mr. Leon Roets for accepting
this topic and encouraging me to “go where it leads me”. I wish to
thank my co-supervisor, Professor I. Moodley for his encouragement
and support, Mr. Van Niekerk from Isipingo Scrap Metals for providing
refreshments to participants during the Reiki training workshops,
Sarita Mathur for the free distribution of her audio tape “Hand in Hand
with Reiki”, RK Khans Hospital staff and management for their support
and all my research participants for their enthusiasm and willingness
to try something new. This research would have not been possible
without your support and dedication.

My gratitude extends to my father, Mr. Munian Veerasamy for being an

excellent role model and teaching me that anything was possible.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge my husband, Alan Sewduth and
my two children Udesh and Saihesh Sewduth, for their patience, love
and support throughout the year.

ii
 DEDICATION

With Love, Gratitude and Respect to the world famous Reiki Masters.

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Mikao Usui for showing us the hidden
path of the Universal Life-force Energy – REIKI.

We honour and respect this unconditional Divine Healing Energy

-REIKI-

It is made available for all without discrimination of the state of health

or sickness, religion, belief, colour or birth.

We pay our affectionate homage from the core of our hearts to this
great re-originator of the Divine power – REIKI.

Thank you for making this great gift available to

all mankind.

iii
 SUMMARY

This qualitative study explored the use of Reiki in improving the quality
of life of people living with HIV (PLWH). A purposive sample of seven
participants consented to the study. Reiki attunement, self healing and
data collection were done over a six-month period. An idiographic
approach was used. The participants were interviewed, then
underwent Reiki attunement, performed self healing for 21-30 days
and were interviewed again.

Responses suggest that Reiki therapy had positive outcomes. Illness-

specific symptom relief, increased levels of energy, improved sleeping
patterns, decreased anxiety and depression, spiritual awakening and a
better ability to handle stressful situations were reported.

Reiki therapy enabled the participants to reappraise living with HIV,

deal with anger, depression and self-blame. These positive changes led
to some of them seeking employment, leaving destructive personal
relationships and reconnecting with family members. The researcher
strongly recommends further research in this area.

iv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

Acknowledgements ii

Declaration iii

Summary iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables vii

List of Figures vii

List of Abbreviations viii

Chapter 1: Statement of the problem 1

1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Purpose of Study 2
1.3 Research Questions 3
1.4 Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) 4
1.4.1 Whole Medical System 5
1.4.2 Mind - Body Medicine 5
1.4.3 Biologically-Based practices 5
1.4.4 Manipulative and Body-based practices 5
1.4.5 Energy Therapies 6
1.5 Rationale for the study 6
1.6 Research Approach 7
1.7 Significance of the study 7
1.8 Structure of the Dissertation 7
1.9 Concluding Remarks 8

Chapter 2: Review of Literature 9

2.1 Introduction 9
2.2 Reiki Therapy 16
2.2.1 Introduction to Reiki Therapy 19
2.2.2 Reiki as an Energy Medicine Therapy 20
2.2.3 Description of Reiki Therapy 20
2.2.4 About Ki 22

v
 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page

2.2.5 Benefits of Reiki Therapy 22

2.2.6 Effects of Reiki Therapy 23
2.2.7 Reiki Training 24
2.2.8 Reiki Attunement 25
2.2.9 How does Reiki energy work? 26
2.2.10 History of Reiki Therapy 26
2.3 Scientific studies on the effectiveness of Reiki
Therapy 27
2.4 Conclusion 30

Chapter 3: Methodology 31

3.1 Qualitative Research Methodology 31

3.2 Study Design 32
3.3 An Idiographic Approach 33
3.4 Role of the Researcher 34
3.5 The Research Participants 35
3.6 Data Collection 38
3.7 Data Analysis 39
3.8 Ethical Considerations 40
3.9 Concluding Remarks 40

Chapter 4: Analysis and Findings 41

4.1 Introduction 41
4.2 Profiles of the research participants who
were HIV-positive 41
4.2.1 Jane 43
4.2.2 Alice 46
4.2.3 Sally 49
4.2.4 Carol 54
4.2.5 Ivy 58
4.2.6 Peter 63
4.2.7 Rose 65
4.3 Discussion of the research participants’ adjustment to
living with HIV prior to and after their introduction to
to Reiki therapy 72
4.4. Conclusion 75

vi
 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page

Chapter 5: Conclusion 76

5.1 Introduction 76
5.2 Reiki as CAM 78
5.3 Reiki Research 78
5.3.1 Reiki Attunement 79
5.4 Effects of Reiki Therapy 80
5.4.1 Physical 80
5.4.2 Mental and Emotional 81
5.4.3 Energy levels 84
5.4.4 Spiritual Domain 84
5.5 CD4 Count 85
5.6 Perceived Barriers to using Reiki as a form of CAM 86
5.7 Limitations 86
5.8 Further research 87
5.9 Conclusion 88

LIST OF SOURCES 91

APPENDICES:
Appendix A: Consent form 100
Appendix B: Initial Interview 102
Appendix C: Final Interview 104

List of Tables Page

Table 1: Demographics 42

List of Figures Page

Figure 1 – A depiction of Lazarus & Folkman’s (1984)

cognitive appraisal model of stress and coping 15

vii
 List of Abbreviations

AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

ARV: Antiretroviral

CAM: Complementary and Alternative Medicine

HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus

NCCAM: The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative

Medicine

PLWH: People living with HIV

TB: Tuberculosis

VCT: Voluntary Counselling and testing

viii
 Chapter 1

Contextualising the research problem

1. 1 Introduction

Dr. Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director, stated that “HIV/AIDS is

unequivocally the most devastating disease we have faced, and it will
get worse before it gets better” (The International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank 2002: xxiii). South
Africa is currently experiencing one of the most severe HIV-epidemics
in the world. By the end of 2005, there were five and a half million
people living with HIV in South Africa and almost 1 000 AIDS deaths
occurring everyday, according to UNAIDS (2006) estimates. Between
2006 and 2025, there is a profound uncertainty about how the AIDS-
related deaths will develop and the extent of its impact (UNAIDS
2000).

Since first identified, HIV has captured the concerns of a variety of

scientists studying different aspects of the lives of persons living with
HIV (PLWH). At a psychosocial level, researchers have found that
testing for HIV-infection may lead to psychological distress and suicidal
behaviour (Beevor & Catalan 1993). Psychological distress affects the
survival of PLWH (Palombi et al 1997). It is important to alleviate
negative experiences and emotions and empower PLWH (Miller 1988).

Evidence on Reiki therapy gathered from pilot studies, case reports

and randomized trials suggests that it may offer a non-invasive, non-
pharmacological treatment for several physical and psychological
conditions (Barberis 1996; Bruce 2001). The researcher is a qualified
Reiki master and has treated many people with different ailments and
has realised the impact Reiki therapy can have on the physical,

1
psychological and spiritual areas of one’s life. The researcher found
that patients, who were facing chronic illness, especially during long-
term and invasive courses of treatment such as chemotherapy or
radiation, have reported significant improvements in quality of life.
Other patients have reported a boost in their immune system, relief
from pain, reduction of stress and depressive episodes and balances in
their energy levels so that they feel more energized. Reiki therapy
was also reported to be very empowering and spiritually uplifting.

Reiki therapy treats the patient, not the condition or illness. It offers
rapid stress reduction and a sense of profound well-being, and can
benefit anyone who is suffering (Ray 2001). Reiki appears to combine
safely with any medical intervention needed and is used to soothe
dental and surgical anxiety and improve recovery; reduce side-effects
of pharmaceuticals, radiation and chemotherapy; improve sleep;
strengthen sobriety; relieve anxiety; lessen pain; and support
recovery from trauma (Miles 2003).

1.2 Purpose of the study

Holistic therapies are becoming more popular as patients are

increasingly becoming dissatisfied with conventional treatments.
Conventional biomedical treatments are regarded by some as
ineffective, producing adverse side-effects, impersonal, too
technologically-oriented, and too costly (National Centre for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]). Some patients regard
holistic therapies as less authoritarian and empowering by offering
them personal autonomy and control over their health-care decisions.
Some patients see holistic therapies as being compatible with their

2
values, worldviews, spiritual or religious philosophies or beliefs
regarding the nature and meaning of illness (Pugh 2005).

The purpose of this study is to explore and critically analyse the use of
Reiki therapy as a complementary treatment for PLWH from the point
of view of PLWH. On the basis of the analyses of data, the study
explored perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM), in particular Reiki therapy, within the framework of the
sociological analysis of medicine.

1.3 Research Questions

The research questions were designed to explore and critically analyse

the use of Reiki therapy as a complementary treatment for PLWH from
the point of view of PLWH.

Based on the purpose, the following questions were considered

throughout the study:

(a) What are the perceptions and experiences of PLWH of Reiki therapy
as a complementary and alternative treatment?
(b) What are the perceived benefits of Reiki therapy for PLWH who
received Reiki therapy as a complementary and alternative treatment?
(c) What are the perceived obstacles to the general use of Reiki
therapy for PLWH?

To help explore these questions, a brief background to complementary

and alternative medicine is given in the section below.

3
1.4 Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

In this section a short description of CAM is given in order to place

Reiki therapy in perspective within the field of alternative medicine.
First it should be noted that there are many terms used to describe
those approaches to health care that are regarded by some as falling
outside the realm of conventional biomedical medicine. Second, it
should be noted that CAM is a group of diverse medical and health
care systems, practices, and products that are not presently
considered to be part of conventional medicine (National Centre for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]). CAM is often
negatively defined as “a system of health care which lies for the most
part outside the mainstream of conventional medicine.” A more
balanced and inclusive definition states that “complementary medicine
is diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention which complements
mainstream medicine by contributing to a common whole, by
satisfying a demand not met by orthodoxy or by diversifying the
conceptual frameworks of medicine” (Ernst et al 1998: 1026). This
definition thus sees complementary treatment involving practices and
beliefs that are not generally upheld by the dominant health system in
Western countries.

According to the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative

Medicine (NCCAM), CAM approaches are diverse and can be classified
under five major domains (National Centre for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine [Sa]). The five main domains are discussed
below.

4
1.4.1 Whole Medical Systems

Whole medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and
practice. Examples of whole medical systems that have developed in
Western cultures include Homeopathic naturopathic medicine,
Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda (National Centre for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

1.4.2 Mind-Body Medicine

Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance

the mind's capacity to have an effect on bodily function and
symptoms. Mind-body techniques include meditation, which is a
conscious mental process using certain techniques such as focusing
attention or maintaining a specific posture, to suspend the stream of
thoughts and relax the body and mind. It also includes prayer and
mental healing and therapies that use creative outlets such as art,
music or dance (National Centre for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine [Sa]).

1.4.3 Biologically-Based Practices

These therapies commonly involve the use of substances found in

nature such as herbs, food supplements and vitamin (National Centre
for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

1.4.4 Manipulative and Body-Based Practices

These therapies involve the manipulation of soft tissues and

musculoskeletal structures. Examples include chiropractic or
osteopathic manipulation (National Centre for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

5
1.4.5 Energy Therapies

Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. There are two
types, namely biofield therapies and bio electromagnetic-based
therapies (National Centre for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine [Sa]).

Biofield therapies are intended to affect the energy field that

purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of
such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Some forms of
energy therapy manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or
manipulating the body by placing the hands in, or through these fields.
Examples include Gi Gong, Touch therapy and Reiki therapy, a therapy
in which practitioners seek to transmit a universal energy to a person
from a distance or by placing their hands on or near that person. The
intent is to heal the spirit and then the body (National Centre for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

Bio electromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of

electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or
alternating current or direct current fields (National Centre for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

1.5 Rationale for the study

Reiki treatment brings balance and harmony to the body, mind and
spirit, restoring a sense of wholeness and well-being. Reiki usually
relieves pain and acute problems quite rapidly. Chronic illnesses may
take a number of treatments depending on the extent and depth of the
problem (Rand 1998).

6
The rationale for this study is based on an understanding of HIV and
AIDS as an illness that manifests physically as a symptom of a
disorder on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Reiki
works on all these levels, and goes beyond the symptoms to treat the
whole person (Ray 2001).

1.6 Research approach

The approach followed in this study was a qualitative, action research

orientation in which volunteers living with HIV were recruited and
trained in the use of Reiki therapy. Their experiences prior to their
introduction to Reiki therapy and their involvement with Reiki therapy
and the perceived changes in their psychophysical wellbeing were
recorded using semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio
taped with the research participants’ written informed consent.
Further details on the research approach and the methodology are
discussed in Chapter 3.

1.7 Significance of the study

This study demonstrates how the holistic practice of Reiki therapy can
improve the quality of life of PLWH. It offers supportive treatments to
available conventional treatments as more individuals are searching
for holistic therapies to alleviate stress and treat physical and mental
ailments (Pugh 2005).

1.8 Structure of the dissertation

Chapter 1 contextualises the research problem. This chapter

introduces the reader to the purpose of the study, the research
questions, the research approach, the significance of the study and
introduces the reader to the structure of the dissertation.

7
Chapter 2 concentrates on review of Literature, Chapter 3 discusses
the methodology of the research, Chapter 4 analysis in-depth the
findings of the research and Chapter 5 presents the concluding
remarks and recommendations. The list of resources and documents
used in the research are included at the end as appendices.

1.9 Concluding remarks

This chapter has provided a framework for the study. It presented

overviews of alternative therapies; the research questions that guided
the collection, analyses and interpretation of the data.

The next chapter presents a review of literature in an attempt to

answer the research questions and to situate the study in its relevant
context.

8
 Chapter 2

Review of Literature

2.1 Introduction

In 2005, South Africa had around 5 million people living with HIV or
11% out of the total population of 46 million (Mail and Guardian
2006). The disease has begun to impact on the life expectancy of the
South African citizenry, which is now about 50 years, but decreasing
rapidly (Noble 2005). There is considerable discussion on the role of
anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy to improve life expectancy in South Africa
(Mail and Guardian 2006).

Currently, it is estimated that 500 000 people who are infected with
the HI-virus would benefit from ARV therapy. Unfortunately, only
around 40 000 are presently receiving them on a regular, controlled
basis (AIDS Foundation South Africa Sa). Moreover the relatively slow
roll-out of ARV drugs in the public sector, coupled with problems of
compliance to treatment by patients, tolerance of side-effects and the
cost of ARV drugs have encouraged the search for alternative and
additional ways of dealing with PLWH. In the absence of a vaccine
against the HI-virus, such alternative treatments should be able to
strengthen the immune system of the infected individual, thereby
delaying the onset of the final stages of HIV-infection, and for people
with high viral loads and severely suppressed immune systems, help
minimise the impact of HIV-disease and AIDS. It is well-accepted that
a holistic approach to HIV-infection and AIDS-management does work,
and can offer a valuable supportive or an alternative therapy to ARV
therapy (Lau & Muula 2004).

9
At a psychosocial level, researchers have found that testing for HIV-
infection may lead to psychological distress and suicidal behaviour
(Beevor & Catalan 1993). Extensive research has shown that
receiving a positive HIV-antibody test result and living with HIV may
be associated with a wide range of experiences and responses,
including emotional distress (McCann 1992; Sherr et al 1993), anxiety
(Hays et al 1990), fear (Metcalfe et al 1998), helplessness (Viney et al
1989), loss of control (Crowther 1992), a diminished sense of
coherence, lowered self-esteem and internalised stigma resulting in
self-blame and guilt (Lawless et al 1996).

Uncertainty is one of the main characteristics of living with HIV

(Crossley 1998; Weitz 1989). Several studies have also shown that
depression is common amongst PLWH (Judd et al 1997), and
depression has been found to predict hopelessness (Morris 1996;
Rabkin et al 1990). Psychological distress affects the survival of PLWH
(Palombi et al 1997). In offering psychological support to a PLWH, it is
thus important to alleviate negative experiences, such as despair or
hopelessness. Encouraging hopefulness along with other empowering
attitudes and emotions plays a pivotal role in caring (Miller 1988;
Raveis et al 1998).

Emerging evidence suggests that psychological factors can directly

affect the mind-body process (Wolf 1988). The mind-body process
could be regarded as an overall process that is not easily dissected
into separate and distinct components or parts. Mind-body relations
are always mutual and bi-directional. The body has an effect on the
mind and is affected by it (Wolf 1988).

10
Further evidence suggests that psychosocial states such as depression,
hostility and psychological stress can directly influence both
physiologic functions and health outcomes , loss of control (Crowther
1992), a diminished sense of coherence, lowered self-esteem and
internali (Astin et al 2003). Research in the fields of psychology,
oncology, immunology, and cardiology has shown that the reduction of
stress has immediate positive effects on the immune system and cell
changes as well as the avoidance of pathology and mental dysfunction
(Astin et al 2003; Stein 1995).

People living with HIV may experience abnormal physiologic responses

to stressors, which may contribute to immunologic deficits. Stress
management teaches people more efficient methods for coping with
stressors and may affect components of the immune system (Michael
et al 2002). Living with HIV can result in psychological stress as the
person diagnosed with HIV has to face:

• The fear of getting sick, disabled and dying

• The unpredictability and accumulating nature of symptoms in the
HIV-AIDS illness tajectory
• Anxiety about infecting someone else or about being re-infected
with new strains of HIV
• Financial worries about paying for medications or possibly
becoming unemployed
• The stress of trying to eat right, exercise, and “do the right
things”
• The stress of overcoming or resisting addictions
• Psychosocial issues related to discrimination and stigma

11
 • The trauma associated with being abandoned by friends and
sometimes even by family (In this respect is should be noted
that Bova (2001) regards social support and social integration as
important mitigating factors influencing the PLWHA’s adjustment
and well-being).
• Anxiety about having access to quality health care and
treatments and dealing with doctors and insurance companies
• The stress of having a clean, safe place to live, and clean water
to drink
• The stress of sticking to treatment regimes and taking
medications on time (Thompson, Nanni & Levine 1996).

Moreover, stressful events (such as being diagnosed as HIV-positive

and coming to grips with living with the disease) can prompt
individuals to engage in unhealthy habits or behaviours such as
smoking, alcohol abuse or unsafe sex (Antoni 1991; Kemeny 1994).
Living long and well with HIV takes a lot of hard work, and a person
living with HIV has to maintain a balance between dealing with the
illness as a chronic disease with an unpredictable illness trajectory and
living life (Alex 2004). This can lead to role strain and stress per se
can have a physiological effect leading to more rapid disease
progression (Kiecolt-Glaser & Glaser 1991; Thompson et al 1996).

Stress reduction appears to be related to the ability of the immune

system to reconstitute naïve T cells over time, possibly affecting cell-
mediated immune responses to novel antigens and protecting against
opportunistic infections (Michael 2002).

Reiki therapy can therefore be used with conventional treatments as a

complementary medicine to assist with boosting the immune system.
Reiki treatment is given not to attack disease but rather to support the

12
person experiencing the disease. Reiki will not interfere with medical
treatments, but will encourage the rebalancing of the patients’ entire
system, which may lighten side-effects and increase tolerance to
invasive procedures (Miles 2003).

Lazarus and Folkman (1984) suggest a cognitive model for stress and
coping which points out that personal appraisal of illness and social
support mediate the effect of personal and illness characteristics such
as age, sex or illness stage on sufferers’ abilities to cope with chronic
illness. This model (depicted in Figure 1 below) focuses on the way a
person interprets a stressor and regards the way in which a person
appraises an event as very important in coping. It proposes that the
interpretation of stressful events is more important than the events
themselves. According to the model, social support mediates the effect
of personal and illness characteristics on symptom experiences and
adjustment to chronic illness. It is neither the event nor the person’s
response that defines stress – rather it is the individual’s perception of
the situation that defines stress so that stress becomes a function of
the person’s feelings of threat, vulnerability and ability to cope.

Lazarus and Folkman (1984) propose three types of appraisals. The

first primary appraisal is the initial evaluation of the situation. When
the person evaluates the illness as having no implications for his or her
well-being, he or she will appraise it as irrelevant. If the person
evaluates the illness as an opportunity to increase his or her well-
being (for example an acute, yet curable illness), he or she will
appraise it as benign-positive. However, should the person evaluate
the illness as harmful, threatening or challenging, and then he or she
will appraise it as stressful.

13
The second primary appraisal is where the person considers to what
extent the illness will result in harm or loss, represents a threat or a
challenge. Should the person perceive that the challenge or threat
posed by the illness as exceeding his or her abilities and resources to
overcome it and the difficulties it might pose, he or she is likely to
appraise it as highly stressful. This leads to the third type of appraisal
which Lazarus and Folkman (1984) refers to as the secondary
appraisal. Here the individual evaluates his or her situation by asking
what coping options are available, what the likelihood of adopting a
particular strategy will be and finally how successful that strategy is
likely to be. Importantly, Lazarus and Folkman (1984) emphasise that
when a person has to continually reappraise their situation, it can lead
to more and compounded stress. In this regard, HIV and AIDS as a
chronic illness represents such a case as the progression of the disease
from infection (or detection of an HIV-positive status) to the
development of symptoms or opportunistic infections and to the final
stages of HIV-infection is unpredictable.

Social support for people living with HIV is emphasised in treatment

regimes in South Africa as people are encouraged to join support
groups and to cultivate “treatment buddies” to support them when
they start using ARV medication. In addition to social support,
however, the cognitive model of stress and coping also focuses on the
symptom experiences of people with chronic illness. This means that
the way that a person appraises the effect of a symptom on his or her
well-being and ability to function is of great importance in developing
coping strategies in living with chronic illness.

14
Figure 1: A depiction of Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) cognitive
appraisal model of stress and coping

The cognitive appraisal model has been used to guide studies in HIV
and AIDS by Fleishman & Fogel (1994) and Folkman et al (1992). As
Reiki therapy can assist people living with HIV in their appraisal of
their illness and with their symptom experience, it is assumed that,
following the cognitive appraisal model of stress and coping, it can
play an important supportive role in the treatment therapies of people
living with HIV.

The rest of the chapter concentrates on Reiki therapy and scientific

studies completed on the effects of Reiki therapy on different ailments,
including the impact it has on PLWH.

15
2.2 Reiki Therapy

Reiki therapy as part of a group of CAM practices offers an alternative

to mainstream biomedical approaches. Biomedicine as developed in
the 16-18th century, defined nature and human life in terms of causes-
and-effects. The tools of investigation were observation and
experimentation. The goals of research or investigation were to control
nature and to intervene to correct mistakes that lead to illness,
disease and mortality. Being a physician or doctor meant having a
profession, legitimised by the state (especially in Western countries)
and being the carriers of this modern, rational wisdom about the body.
The postmodernist critique is that, although Enlightenment (and the
modernists) threw off the yoke of medieval superstitions (e.g. illness
caused by evil spirits); they in turn developed their own myths and did
not always question them critically.

This development of scientific understandings of the body was

informed by other doctrines, reinforced by strict empiricist methods of
biomedical investigation and the normalisation of these practices to
assist in the mind (or soul)-body-split. The early Christian doctrine, for
example, regarded the soul as the real essence of humanity and as
sacred, whereas the body was regarded as profane and corruptible.
Rene Descartes, the 17th century French philosopher, helped shape the
rationalism that infused the mind-body dualism of physical medicine.
He posited that the soul resided in the body, but was far too
mysterious to be studied, whereas the body was a physical machine,
Minds, however, were private and inner and the true centres of human
identity.

Because of the mind-body dualism, bodies:

16
1. Can be freely inspected and can be subjected to physical
examination and (after death) to anatomical dissection
2. Occupy space
3. Are public
4. Are machines that can objectively be “known” and are subject to
physical mechanics
5. Can be subjected to hospital treatment where it is the doctors’
task to repair the machine
6. Became subjected to higher order dualisms such as the
dichotomy between the female (nature/emotional/reproductive)
body and the male (culture/rational/productive) body.

The anatomy lessons in 16th century Europe represented a key stage

in the development of biomedicine and signified the triumph of the
rationalism of scientific investigation. Here, one can see the link
between dissection and capital punishment: Most of the bodies
dissected were those of convicted criminals. To Foucault, this implied
an extension of punishment and linked power and an objectification of
a body in the extreme.

Ivan Illich (1976) is responsible for the introduction of the concept

iatrogenesis. Illich believed that medical intervention produced more
harm than good. He distinguished between clinical iatrogenesis and
social, cultural and structural iatrogenesis. With clinical iatrogenesis
Illich meant doctor-induced disease. He argued that when a person is
subjected to medical investigation or treatment for a minor health
problem, that person runs the risk of gaining a worse problem than the
original. With social, cultural and structural iatrogenesis, Illich was
making an argument about the social consequences of increasing

17
medicalisation of everyday life. He saw the consequences of biomedical
hegemony as weakening the ability of individuals to heal themselves
when ill, to change their environment, and to challenge the status quo.
He believed that modern medicine encouraged people to strive for and
attain unrealistic standards of health (‘‘a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being’’ according to the World Health
Organisation). He attempted to highlight the passivity with which
individuals have relinquished control over their own bodies, became
consumers of modern health care, use preventive or enhancing drugs
and medication when these are not necessarily indicated (sedatives,
mood-altering drugs, appetite suppressants and Viagra are some
examples we might think of here to understand Illich’s point). Could
this passivity on the part of health consumers perhaps be the reasons
why biomedicine cannot claim success with chronic diseases or
infections such as HIV and AIDS?

In addition, Illich claimed that medicine reinforced political

environments in which sickness and deviance can be defined only by
those with medical authority. This authority enabled the medical
expert to declare which patient is ill, which person is normal, or to, for
example say whether a woman has been raped or a child has been
abused. Illich regarded such decisions to be essentially political or
social, not medical. Reiki therapy provides a challenge to the expert-
led, disempowering biomedical view of therapy for a chronic illness.

Reiki is a system of subtle, vibrational healing that has no medical

contraindications. It is holistic in that it does not attack the disease in
any form, but rather, it encourages the individual towards balance.
Reiki operates on the premises that the subtle vibrational blueprint is

18
the foundation for everything that happens on the mental, emotional,
physical, and spiritual levels (Miles 2003).

2.2.1 Introduction to Reiki Therapy

Reiki is a therapy in which practitioners seek to transmit universal

energy to a person, either from a distance or by placing their hands on
or near the person. The intent is to heal the spirit and thus the body.
Reiki therapy is an energy medicine therapy that uses energy fields
with the intent to positively influence health (Ray 2001).

Reiki is part of CAM, a group of diverse medical and health care

systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to
be part of conventional medicine (National Centre for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

It is not fully known whether Reiki influences health and how it might
do so. The existence of ‘ki’ (energy) has not been proven
scientifically. The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (NCCAM) is sponsoring studies to find out more about Reiki’s
effects; how it works; and diseases and conditions for which it may be
most helpful.

The above may sound as a set of groundless claims. However, there

have been attempts to explain why Reiki therapy works, in a more
scientific manner. Einstein (2001) developed a definition which says
that everything in the universe is entirely made up of energy. This
includes emotions, thoughts, the physical environment and our
physical body which may be seen as a dense form of energy. People
are beings of energy surrounded by invisible energy fields. These
energy fields supply human beings with energy similar to the way

19
eating, drinking and breathing supply our bodies with energy (Walker
1976).

2.2.2 Reiki as an Energy Medicine Therapy

The word Reiki is made up of two Japanese words: ‘Rei’ or universal

spirit (sometimes thought of as a supreme being), and ‘ki’ meaning life
force energy. ‘Ki’ is regarded as a healing energy which is abundantly
present in the universe. Reiki practitioners believe that it can be
utilised so that health can be maintained and disease can be alleviated
or cured (Steward 1979; Sumeet 1999).

In CAM, Reiki belongs to a domain (area of knowledge) called energy

medicine. In this domain, therapies are based on the belief that
disturbances in energy cause illness. Energy medicine practitioners
seek to improve the flow and balance of energy in a beneficial way.
Energy medicine seeks to use for potential health purposes, forces of
two types:

1. Forces that scientific instruments can measure (e.g. forces

associated with electromagnetic fields) and
2. Forces (called biofields) that some believe surround and
penetrate the human body, but whose existence is not yet
scientifically proven. Ki, the life force energy described in Reiki
Therapy, is in this second category (National Centre for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

2.2.3 Description of Reiki therapy

Reiki therapy is a simple, yet powerful system of laying-on-of-hands

that is claimed to work on the body and mind and on an emotional and
spiritual level. Energy work, spiritual healing and laying-on-of-hands

20
are ancient practices of which Reiki therapy is only one form. The use
of Reiki therapy as a relaxation and stress reducing technique is
becoming accepted and widespread because it can enhance other
healing practices (Horan 1979). It is furthermore claimed that Reiki
energy has an innate intelligence which directs it to go wherever it is
needed in the body (Stein 1995). Reiki practitioners also report that
over time Reiki therapy can enhance intuition, meditation and personal
spiritual evolution. Reiki therapy is believed to restore harmony by
removing the disturbances in the personal energy field which manifest
as emotional problems and disease (Jentoft 2003).

Reiki therapy has several advantages over many other types of

therapy. First, anyone, regardless of age or circumstance, can train as
a therapist or receive treatment. Second, Reiki therapy does not
require long years of study. Third, Reiki therapy is not intrusive and it
does not demand any technology and can be practiced anywhere at
any time. Reiki therapy can be received and given either sitting,
standing or lying down. However, the preferred position is lying down.
Fourth, Reiki therapy does not require the practitioner or recipient to
engage in any verbal exchanges. Fifth, as Reiki therapy is not
intended for diagnosing disease conditions; it does not require a
practitioner to collect information. There are also no body
manipulations or medications for Reiki treatment. Therefore Reiki
therapy could be seen as being beneficial for individuals who are
stressed, anxious, who have been involved in many difficult, intrusive,
and often painful medical or surgical procedures, and who are
fatigued, sedated or unconscious. Reiki therapy is a simple, gentle
healing method that only requires a trained practitioner to lay his or
her hands to heal (Bruce 2001; Motz 1998; Stein 1995).

21
Reiki therapy has no medical contradictions. It does not involve the
use of any substance and the touch is non-manipulative. Reiki therapy
can be used to support conventional medical interventions (Miles
2003; Sharma & Sharma 2004). Reiki therapy can enhance the effects
of medical treatment when used in conjunction with it. This is because
Reiki energy allegedly has an innate intelligence and goes wherever
needed in the body and aura (energy field around the body). Reiki
therapy has no side-effects to treatment. Reiki therapy benefits each
individual in a very personal way, the result being determined by the
needs of the person being treated (Harrison 2000).

2.2.4 About Ki

People who believe in the existence of ‘ki’ hold that ‘ki’ is spiritual in
origin; makes up and moves through all living things; is available in
infinite qualities; is positive in nature; is important to all aspects of
health; is present both inside the body and on its surface; has its flow
disturbed by negative thoughts or feelings and flows through the body
in specific channels (Barberis 1996; Bruce 2001).

It is also believed that if ‘ki’ flow is disrupted, the body’s functioning

becomes disrupted, and health problems can occur. The concept that
sickness and disease arise from imbalances in vital energy field is the
foundation not only of Reiki therapy but of some other CAM therapies,
such as Traditional Chinese medicine (National Centre for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

2.2.5 Benefits of Reiki therapy

The benefits of Reiki-therapy on a psychosocial level are many and

include some of the following:

22
 • It balances energy; increases creativity; helps release emotions;
releases stress; increases awareness; amplifies energy and heals
holistically (Baginsky 1989; Horan 1979; Ray 2001; Stein 1995);
• Is also known to work on the causal level of the disease and
delays the process of aging (Bruce 2001; Lakshmi 2005).

Many HIV and AIDS patients use CAM like Reiki therapy due to the
following:
• To promote a healthier functioning of the immune system
• To treat associated signs or conditions and
• To lesson the side-effects of conventional antiretroviral
medication (National Centre for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine [Sa]).

According to the NCCAM, people have sought Reiki treatment for a

wide variety of health-related purposes. Some examples include:
effects of stress; chronic pain; recovery from surgery and anaesthesia;
side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer;
lowering heart rate; improving immunity and mental clarity. The
NCCAM reported that a recent national survey on Americans’ use of
CAM found that 1,1 percent of the 31 000 participants had used Reiki
therapy in the year before the survey.

2.2.6 Effects of Reiki Therapy

Reiki energy allegedly works to harmonise or balance a person

holistically on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level (Bruce
2001; Stein 1995). Reiki therapy is an effective technique of total
relaxation and stress release (Lakshmi & Sastry 2005). Relaxation in
and of itself may have beneficial health-related effects for PLWH, such

23
as reducing pain, nausea and fatigue (National Centre for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

Living with HIV and AIDS often requires more than just antiviral
medication. Biomedical convention holds that the best way to manage
HIV is to keep the body's natural immune system as healthy as
possible, and prolong the need for medications for as long as possible.
Once on antiretroviral medications, this strategy still continues to be
an integral part of HIV management, as well as managing the side-
effects that sometimes happen with ARV treatments (Alex 2004).

2.2.7 Reiki Training

Usui Reiki Practitioners are trained in three degrees. During the Reiki
1 workshop the student receives the first level attunement and the
basic instructions for the laying-on-of-hands, the history of Reiki, the
lineage and the principles of Reiki. The first level also teaches a
student how to physically protect himself or herself and others.
Students are guided through a series of four sacred attunements or
initiations. Some Reiki masters initiate once only. Attunement is the
process of awakening in others the ability to channel specific healing
energy. It is possible for anyone to obtain these attunements and to
channel Reiki energy. This skill requires no special abilities and is a
reliable way of doing healing treatments for self and others (Jentoft
2003).

In Reiki 2, the student receives higher level attunement and three of

the many symbols. These symbols were originally obtained by Dr.
Mikao Usui during his meditation and fast. These symbols are given
and taught to the student in order to increase the power of Reiki
energy. The student learns to heal on an emotional and mental level

24
as well as be able to change unwanted habits. The student also learns
to send Reiki energy to others over physical distances and learns how
to send Reiki energy back in time as well as into the future to achieve
goals ( Ray 2001; Stein 1995; Steward 1979 ).

In advanced Reiki training the student receives the Usui Master

attunement which increases the strength of the student’s energy, and
also increases the effectiveness of the Reiki 2 symbols. Included in
this training are processes and techniques for the student to get in
touch with deeply rooted fears, to release old patterns which prevent
them from developing any further and to experience the art of self
love. Students are also taught psychic surgery, to work with a crystal
grid and goal setting. Through these various processes and techniques
the students will learn how to deal with their intentionality and the
essence of who they are (Ray 2001; Stein 1995; Steward 1979).

In Reiki 3, the Master/Teachers degree the full teaching information is

included and the attunement of another two symbols is received,
amplifying the energy in all areas of life. Spiritual energy levels
increase dramatically, this energy being connection with the
Source/God (Jentoft 2003). The student learns to perform Healing
attunements and Reiki attunements.

2.2.8 Reiki Attunement

Reiki therapy is not learned in the way many other techniques are
learned, through many years of study, practice and guidance. It is
transferred from the Reiki Master to the student during what is called
an attunement. The attunement is a process of empowerment that
opens the crown, throat, heart and palm chakras and connects one to
the unlimited source of Reiki energy (Gupta 2004).

25
The Reiki Master spends a brief time with each student and performs a
sacred ceremony for each attunement based on the precise formula
Dr. Usui (founder of the present form of Reiki Healing) discovered.
This ritual fine-tunes, balances and aligns the student’s energy body,
empowering him/her to become a conduit of channelling universal life
energy just like a radio being tuned to a specific frequency (Gupta
2004).

2.2.9 How does Reiki energy work?

Reiki therapy is administered by laying-on-of-hands lightly on different

parts of the body on a fully clothed patient or a few inches away from
the body for about 3-5 minutes at a time. Reiki sessions can last up to
45 minutes per session or be as long or short as needed. Treatment
can be given to self or to others. Reiki therapy treats the whole
person including the body, emotion, mind and spirit and creates many
beneficial effects including relaxation and feeling of peace, security
and well-being (Bruce 2001).

2.2.10 History of Reiki Therapy

There are many different beliefs about the origin of Reiki – one is that
it is based on Tibetan sutras (texts of Buddhism) written by the
monks. However, many sources agree that in the mid-19th century,
Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese physician and monk, developed this
healing approach and spiritual path, named it Reiki, trained others in it
and developed an organisation (National Centre for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

26
2.3 Scientific studies on the effectiveness of Reiki Therapy

Although there seems to be a limited amount of clinical studies or

research undertaken to test specifically Reiki therapy to improve
quality of life of PLWH, many studies have however been undertaken
to test the effectiveness of Reiki therapy on other illnesses.

Research done at the School of Nursing at the University of Texas with

23 subjects, receiving 30 minutes of Reiki therapy, found that overall
anxiety levels were significantly reduced; there was a drop in blood
pressure and skin temperature increased. These findings suggest both
biochemical and physiological changes in the direction of relaxation
(National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Sa]).

Reiki therapy was used in the operating room of the Columbia

Presbyterian Medical Centre in New York City. Reiki was used during
open-heart surgeries and heart transplantations. None of the 11
patients treated with Reiki therapy experienced the usual
postoperative depression; the bypass patients had no postoperative
pain or leg weakness; and the transplant patients experienced no
organ rejection (Motz 1998).

In a study by Olson (1997) at the Cross Cancer Institute, 20

volunteers who had experienced pain for a variety of reasons received
Reiki treatment. Pain was measured using both a visual analogue
scale (VAS) and a Likert-scale questionnaire immediately before and
after Reiki treatment. Both instruments showed a highly significant
(p<0.0001) reduction in pain following Reiki treatment. In addition, a
study conducted by the Institute of Neurological Sciences at the South
Glasgow University Hospital on 45 subjects, also confirmed the

27
benefits of Reiki therapy. The subjects in this study were divided into
3 groups:
1. a group receiving Reiki-therapy
2. a group receiving no treatment and
3. a group receiving placebo treatment from someone with no
knowledge of Reiki therapy and who mimicked Reiki therapy.

Quantitative measures of autonomic nervous system function such as

heart rate, cardiac vagal tone, blood pressure, cardiac sensitivity to
baroreflex, and breathing activity were recorded continuously for each
heartbeat. Values during and after the treatment period were
compared with baseline data. Heart rate and diastolic blood pressure
decreased significantly in the Reiki group as compared to both placebo
and control groups. This was a pilot study with relatively few subjects.
The results justify further, larger studies to look at the biological
effects of Reiki treatment (Jari et al 2000).

Miles (2003) found in a study of breast cancer sufferers that Reiki

therapy was effective for reducing pain, depression and anxiety. Miles
(2003) also found that newly trained Reiki practitioners perceived
reductions in pain and anxiety when they performed Reiki on
themselves. She states that Level I Reiki training for breast cancer
patients is imperative for both pain management and personal
empowerment. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy also
reported reduced intensity and frequency of nausea and vomiting after
Reiki treatment. The researchers however concluded that more clinical
research is needed to determine the benefits of Reiki therapy.

28
Reiki therapy has been associated with improved quality of life in
palliative situations (Ernst et al 1998). Some aspects of improved
quality of life seen with Reiki treatment included: periods of
stabilisation in which patients were able to find acceptance in their last
days; feelings of being peaceful and calm, loss of control (Crowther
1992), a diminished sense of coherence, lowered self-esteem and
internali; and relief from pain, anxiety, dyspnoea and oedema. A
study by Dressen & Singg (1997) found Reiki to be effective in
reducing pain, depression and anxiety. Dressen & Singg (1997)
concluded that patients who received Reiki therapy experienced a
highly significant reduction in pain. It was found that Reiki therapy not
only reduced perceived levels of pain, but improved some of the
correlated effects of chronic pain, especially the psychological impacts
of severe pain such as depression and anxiety.

A medical doctor, Otelia Bengssten, conducted an experiment with a

group of 79 patients (Rand 1998). These patients had a wide range of
diagnosed illness including pancreatitis, brain tumour, emphysema,
multiple endocrine disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and congestive
heart failure. Reiki treatment was given to 46 patients with 33
controls. The treated patients showed significant increases in
haemoglobin values. The effect was so pronounced that even cancer
patients who were being treated with bone marrow-suppressive agents
(which predictably induce decreases in haemoglobin values) showed
an increase. The majority of patients also reported improvement or
complete disappearance of symptoms (Rand 1998).

Harrison (2000) reports that a man who had been living with HIV for
over 15 years, received Reiki treatment prior to surgery on his leg.

29
The treatment helped him to experience a deep sense of relaxation
and peacefulness and resulted in a speedy recovery. The man’s
surgery required an overnight stay, but due to his relaxed state of
mind, he was able to walk home only hours after the surgery.

2.4 Conclusion

Living with HIV as a chronic illness takes work, and attention must be
paid to the body, mind, and spirit as well as focusing on HIV, and
preventing its spread. Being empowered, having hope, enjoying life
and something to live for are vital ingredients (Alex 2004).

Individuals diagnosed with HIV infection may be overwhelmed and

socially isolated and therefore apt to use maladaptive coping strategies
which could result in depression or negative health behaviours that
amplify disease progression (Antoni 1991).

Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) Transactional Model of Stress and

Coping is built on the assumption that stress is a person-situation
interaction, one that is dependent on the subjective cognitive
judgement that arises from the interplay between the person and the
environment. No event or situation in itself is inherently stressful;
instead, the stressor is defined by the subjective judgement of the
situation that is appraised as threatening, harmful or taxing of
available resources.

30
 Chapter 3
Methodology

3.1 Qualitative Research Methodology

This study was explorative in nature as insufficient research had been

undertaken in the area of Reiki therapy and the impact it has on the
quality of life of PLWH. Due to the nature of the study objectives
qualitative research methods were used. Specific research objectives
are (1) The perceptions and experiences of PLWH of Reiki therapy as a
complementary and alternative treatment. (2) The perceived benefits
of Reiki therapy for PLWH who received Reiki therapy as a
complementary and alternative treatment. (3) The perceived obstacles
to the general use of Reiki therapy for PLWH who received Reiki
therapy as complementary and alternative treatment.

Whereas there have been a number of studies exploring the reasons

why people opt to use CAM ( Ernst & White 2000; Vincent & Furnham
1996; Zollman & Vickers 1999) few studies were done in which people
were actively recruited into the use of CAM and asked to describe their
first-hand experiences (Cartwright & Torr 2005). Due to the fact that
the field of people’s first-hand experiences with CAM is relatively
unknown, and due to the personal nature of the involvement of the
researcher with the research participants, a qualitative approach was
chosen for this study.

According to Creswell (1994:94-96) “Qualitative research is an inquiry

with the goal of understanding a social or human problem from
multiple perspectives; conducted in a natural setting with a goal of

31
building a complex and holistic picture of the phenomena of interest.”
Qualitative methods can be used to obtain the details about
phenomena such as feelings, thought processes, and emotions that
are difficult to extract or learn about through more conventional
methods.

In this chapter, the study design and the chosen idiographic approach
are discussed. Further, the role of the researcher and the volunteer
participants, the recruiting of participants, the interviews and the
problems experienced recruiting volunteer participants for the research
are discussed. The method of data collections, data analysis and ethics
follows thereafter.

3.2 Study Design

Using a qualitative approach, seven persons living with HIV were

recruited as volunteer participants in the study. Because the aim was
not to measure the research participants’ responses to Reiki by means
of objective behavioural indicators, but rather to give an account of
their first-hand experiences with Reiki as naturally occurring data, an
idiographic qualitative approach was chosen. With the notion “naturally
occurring data” it is implied that respondents were recruited among
people living with HIV and choosing voluntarily to be exposed to Reiki
as a CAM-intervention for the first time in their lives. The aim was to
capture these research participants’ initial expectations of Reiki as
CAM, their first-hand experiences of Reiki and of the training and their
self-reported experiences of the benefits or disadvantages of Reiki a
few days after practicing self-healing. Following the cognitive appraisal
model of stress and coping, the intention was to see to what extent (if

32
any) Reiki therapy was able to help the research participants cope with
the appraisal of their illness and with their symptom experiences to
help them adjust to living with HIV. Since very little research was
undertaken on the experiences of PLWH with Reiki treatments, the
researcher felt the need to research and document a complementary
medical support system for people living with HIV.

Initially PLWH were recruited via the voluntary counselling and testing
(VCT) Clinic at the RK Khans Hospital. This proved to be difficult for
various reasons. The reasons for non-participation are discussed
further on in this chapter. Recruiting, training and self-healing were
undertaken over a 6 month-period. Interviews were conducted before
and after Reiki attunement and Reiki self-healing. Semi-structured
interviews were employed.

Reiki attunements and training were undertaken by the researcher

who is a qualified Reiki Master/Teacher. Participants were then
requested to perform self-healing in the privacy of their own homes.
Their self-healing was in no way manipulated by the researcher. They
were asked to monitor and record changes independently. Reiki
sessions were not controlled by the researcher. The researcher
however had telephonic contact with the research participants to
provide supportive services and to ensure healing was being
undertaken regularly.

3.3 An idiographic approach

In this study an idiographic approach was used because of the

exploratory nature of the study. In this respect Mason (1996),

33
mentions that in such an approach human experiences are examined
through the detailed description of the people being studied – the goal
is to understand the “lived experience” of the individuals being
studied. This approach involves researching a small group of people
intensively over a long period of time. According to Creswell (1994),
investigating a particular phenomenon occurs over three major
phases. This is intuiting, analysing and describing. The first process is
to understand and know the phenomenon, which is Reiki therapy. In
this study the idiographic approach led to data collected from the
PLWH who described their experiences with Reiki therapy. In the
analysis, the different elements of the Reiki experience were
examined.

3.4 The Role of the Researcher

It is important for the reader to understand the background of the

researcher in order to better comprehend the analysis and conclusions
made by the researcher. The researcher was an Asian female with an
Honours degree in Social Sciences, a counsellor for 20 years and a
Reiki Master/Teacher for 10 years who has gained extensive
experience in counselling and using the different methods of Natural
Healing techniques. The researcher’s belief systems acknowledge the
existence of energy, spirits and a higher power. By working with
clients who have been healed for many ailments through Reiki therapy
and other forms of CAM therapies, the researcher felt the need to
research and document the benefits of Reiki therapy as a
complementary medical support system for people living with HIV.

34
The researchers’ role was to recruit participants for the study, to
attune and train research participants to the level of First Degree
Reiki. Participants were then requested to continue with self-healing
and record their experiences. Researcher conducted two in-depth
interviews, one before Reiki attunement and one after Reiki
attunement and self-healing. The researcher was also available to
participants for counselling and supportive services.

3.5 The Research Participants

The researcher’s initial plan was to recruit research participants at the

VCT Clinic at the RK Khans hospital. Pragmatic decisions had to be
made in the field to accommodate fears, reservations and obstacles in
finding people willing to participate in all aspects of the study. The
relative unfamiliarity of medical and supportive staff and of PLWH as
service recipients in the public health sector with CAM proved to be
one of these obstacles in the field. For this purpose, the researcher
spent three months at the hospital, informing the staff and attending
support groups for PLWH. The researcher subsequently had individual
discussions with interested participants after the support group
sessions and made arrangements for the first interview and signing of
informed consent forms. During the initial recruitment phase, it was
found that many participants would promise to attend a scheduled
appointment, but then failed to turn up on the day. Numerous calls
were made to follow up, but all proved unsuccessful.

The researcher addressed the staff at the VCT clinic on Reiki therapy
and answered their queries about the research. The staff promised to
assist with recruiting participants for the study. The researcher

35
thereafter attended support group sessions for PLWH at the hospital.
In the course of these sessions, the researcher explained the concept
of Reiki therapy and the goals of the research in an attempt to recruit
volunteers for the study. Flyers, explaining Reiki therapy, the research
and including the contact details of the researcher were distributed to
people living with HIV who attended the clinic and the researcher was
available on the premises should there be any queries. Many people
living with HIV came to the researcher for basic counselling and
queries about their social grant applications. As a social worker, the
researcher was able to assist with their queries and to act as a
resource person in the support group sessions.

Many PLWH attending these group sessions showed interest and

arranged to meet the researcher for an initial interview. However, out
of the 20 people living with HIV attending the support group sessions,
only 3 people living with HIV were prepared to become participants in
the study. Reasons given by the people living with HIV for not
participating in the study were:

1. That it was too far and too costly to travel to the hospital 3 times
(that is for the initial interview, the training and the final
interview)
2. That they had no bus fare
3. That they did not understand the concept of Reiki healing
because it was foreign and new to them
4. That their partners prevented them from coming back to the
hospital.

36
Language turned out to be another problem. Although an interpreter
was available, it soon became apparent to the researcher that many
concepts in Reiki could not be translated with ease and explained
adequately via a translator. The participants who eventually
participated in the research spoke and understood English. There was
no need for an interpreter. The researcher does not speak or
understand isiZulu. The majority of the people living with HIV at the
clinic were from the lower socioeconomic group, were unemployed and
spoke very little or no English. The staff at the VCT Clinic at RK Khans
Hospital however, were very helpful and assisted wherever possible.
They allowed participation in the support groups, helped interpret in
isiZulu when necessary and also referred PLWH for the research. The
staff also allowed the researcher to use their premises for interviews
and Reiki training.

Because of these difficulties in recruiting, potential research

participants were invited to approach the researcher via articles placed
in the community newspapers and the Sunday Tribune. Again few
people responded. Finally four people living with HIV were recruited
via the newspaper articles. All four of these participants reported that
they were comfortable about their HIV-positive status and that they
did not mind being in a group with other people who were HIV-
positive. Although the researcher offered to perform individual
training to protect their identities, all of the participants were willing to
become part of a group. Interestingly, many people claiming to be
HIV-negative responded to the newspaper articles. In this respect,
forty-five people were interested in obtaining Reiki training or Reiki
treatment for other (non-HIV) ailments.

37
The initial arrangement to conduct two half-day workshops to train
and attune participants also had to be changed in the field to
accommodate the needs of the research participants. Instead, a full
day training session was conducted with the participants. This helped
overcome problems with travelling and time constraints for those in
employment. The researcher conducted the training alone, as the
number of attendees (seven in total) was small and manageable.
The seven research participants were trained in three separate groups:
one group of three participants at RK Khans Hospital and two groups
with two participants per session at the researcher’s clinic.

The participants were issued with a comprehensive training manual

and an audio tape on Reiki therapy. The course covered the history of
Reiki therapy; the principles of Reiki therapy; the benefits of Reiki
therapy and how to heal oneself and others. Participants were also
awarded with a certificate acknowledging completion of First Degree
Reiki.

Prior to the Reiki attunement and training, all the research participants
were asked to sign an informed consent form (see copy in Appendix A)
and the first interview was conducted. Final interviews were conducted
after 21 – 30 days of self treatment, depending on the availability of
the participants.

3.6 Data Collection

Data were collected through interviews using semi-structured

interviews. Additional information was collected during discussions
during training sessions and during telephonic conversations with the

38
research participants to monitor their progress. Each participant was
exposed to two in-depth, face-to-face interviews with the researcher,
one after the initial agreement to participate and one interview after
21-30 days of self-healing.

At the first interview, each research participant was familiarised with

the goals of the study and initial data were gathered on each
participant’s views, attitudes and expectations of Reiki therapy.
Moreover, research participants were prompted to talk about their
quality of life at that time. In the final interview each participant’s
overall experiences of Reiki therapy was assessed in terms of
symptom experiences, feelings of well-being, appraisal of illness and
adjustment to living with HIV.

The questions in the semi-structured interviews were open-ended to

help capture what participants felt before and after treatment, in their
own words. All interviews were audio taped with the participants’
consent. Notes were also made of all interviews to supplement the
transcripts. All information regarding the participants and notes were
stored securely by the researcher.

3.7 Data Analysis

All interviews were transcripted and augmented with notes taken as

back-up. Prior to data analysis the transcripted interviews were read
several times. Participant’s responses were written up as detailed
narratives. Each session was carefully described using the verbatim
transcripts from the interviews and supported from the researcher’s
notes. The descriptions of the participants’ experiences were grouped

39
according to the original study objectives. The study objectives were
then transformed into categories based on how the participants
described their experiences with Reiki.

3.8 Ethical considerations

Ethical approval was obtained from the University of South Africa,

through the Department of Sociology’s Ethics Committee. Ethical
approval was also obtained from the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Department of
Health through its Health Research and Knowledge Management Sub-
Component. These different layers of ethical approval were required
for approval to work with people living with HIV at the RK Khans
Hospital.

Consent letters were given to and signed by all participants. All

identifying information of each participant was treated as highly
confidential. Pseudonyms were used for the research and for
presenting data. Attunement and training were undertaken in groups
with the consent of the participants.

3.9 Concluding remarks

This study was a qualitative exploratory study. The volunteer

participants were recruited in and around the Durban area. Recruiting
volunteer participants seemed difficult due to various reasons,
however those that participated in the research enjoyed and benefited
greatly from the experiences (refer to findings in Chapter 4). The
researcher strongly recommends further research in this area.

40
 Chapter 4
Analysis and findings

4.1 Introduction

Seven people living with HIV who have never before used CAM took
part in the study. In this chapter, the results of the interviews and
conversations are discussed according to the following sub-themes:
the profiles of the seven research participants who were HIV-positive;
a table with the demographic characteristics of the research
participants followed by detailed description of the research
participants and their responses before and after Reiki attunements
and self-healing. Verbatim transcripts from the interview are added
to support the researcher’s comments.

4.2 Profiles of the seven research participants who were HIV-

positive

Seven participants residing in the Durban and surrounding areas who

were HIV-positive were recruited for the study. Three of the research
participants were attending the VCT clinic at the RK Khans hospital,
the other four research participants were recruited via newspaper
articles. The ages of the research participants ranged from 25 to 52
years. The majority of the participants were female and only one male
was willing to participate. Three of the participants described
themselves as black African, three as Asian and one as Coloured. Only
one of the research participants, Peter, was employed at the time of
recruitment. Three participants, Jane, Alice and Carol secured
employment near the end of the fieldwork period.

41
All research participants except for Peter presented with some or all of
the following symptoms which are symptoms experienced by PLWH as
discussed in Chapter 2, namely depression and suicidal behaviour,
emotional distress, anxiety, fear, feelings of helplessness, feelings of
loss of control, a diminished sense of coherence, lowered self-esteem
and internalised stigma resulting in self-blame and guilt. The research
participants also reported depleted energy levels, sleeplessness and
self-imposed isolation. Further, all research participants except Peter
reported to be experiencing severe pain in different parts of their
bodies and to be self-medicating themselves with over-the-counter
pain killers to ease the pain.

Figure 2 : Demographic characteristics of the research

participants
Pseudonym Age Sex No. of Marital Occupation Residence
living Status
children
Jane 48 Female 3 Unmarried – Unemployed Unit 1
living with Chatsworth
boyfriend
Alice 25 Female 2 Unmarried - Unemployed Umlazi
single parent
Sally 37 Female 2 Unmarried – Unemployed Chatsworth
living with
boyfriend
Carol 31 Female 2 Unmarried – Unemployed Newlands
single parent
Ivy 52 Female 1 Unmarried - Unemployed Newlands
single parent
Peter 48 Male 2 Married – 2nd Electrical Isipingo
marriage Supervisor
Rose 45 Female 2 Divorced – Unemployed Durban
living with Central
boyfriend

In the section below, a brief profile of each research participant is

given as background. Some identifying details were left out of these

42
descriptions in order to protect the research participants’ identities.
Note that pseudonyms were used in all cases. The research
participants are discussed in the order in which they were recruited.
The first three participants for the research were patients who were
HIV-positive and attended the RK Khans Hospital. The last four
participants, who were also HIV-positive, were recruited via newspaper
articles. All research participants joined voluntarily and were
enthusiastic to try something new.

Jane, Sally and Rose were living with their boyfriends and Alice, Carol
and Ivy were single parents whilst Peter was the only research
participant who was married and in a stable relationship. Peter was
also the only research participant who was comfortable with his HIV
status and had the support of his family and friends. In the section
below, each participant is discussed in detail.

4.2.1 Jane

Jane was an attractive black African woman who looked much younger
than her chronological age. At the time of the first interview she was
unemployed and living with her boyfriend. She had three children
from a previous relationship, and none with her present boyfriend.
Jane was diagnosed as HIV-positive in February 2007, and started
attending the clinic in June 2007, when she developed painful lesions
on her body.

At the initial interview, Jane also complained of severe pains in her

legs and arms and of recurrent headaches. Moreover, Jane described
symptoms of fatigue, which she portrayed as “not having enough

43
energy during the day.” She felt that she needed to rest at least twice
a day. In general, Jane reported that she felt “happy and content with
her life.” However, she also reported that she experienced no inner
peace and harmony as she feared death and the unpredictable impact
of her illness on the future of her children. Jane also reported that she
often felt negative feelings like anxiety and depression. She reported
that the stress and anxiety she felt led to poor concentration and
insomnia. Her sleep was often interrupted due to physical pain. She
stated: “I wake up two or three times a night as the pain is sometimes
unbearable….I take pain killers to help relieve the pain.”

Jane had no leisure activities which she described as a consequence of

self-imposed social isolation. She also intimated that, prior to her
diagnosis, she often went to clubs with her friends. “Before I got my
death sentence, I partied all night with my friends and really enjoyed
my life.”

Jane learnt about Reiki therapy and the study at the support group at
the RK Khans hospital. She was excited and eager to participate from
the very beginning. Because of the protracted nature of the
recruitment process (described in Chapter 3), Jane had to wait a while
before being attuned to Reiki therapy.

Jane had little prior knowledge of CAM or natural healing. She was
familiar with the services rendered in the community by a local
Sangoma and reportedly had attended a healing session. She had not
heard of Reiki therapy but was familiar with hands-on healing and that
this was a non-intrusive and non-pharmacological supportive
treatment. Jane described her enthusiasm to participate in the study

44
as stemming from a need to “try something new” and to help others
who are HIV-positive. Moreover, she expressed the wish that Reiki
therapy could assist her to develop spiritually and to lead as normal
and healthy a life as possible.

Jane was attuned to Reiki I at the RK Khans Hospital along with two
other participants. During the attunement, Jane reported that her
hands “were getting very hot.” She expressed a wish to stand up and
walk outside to cool herself. She also reported that she felt her “entire
body heating up.” After the session, Jane said that she had previously
felt “a calling to become a Sangoma,” but that she had avoided the
subject. She reported that she felt ready to enter a more spiritual
path in her life. Jane continued with self-treatment and she also used
Reiki therapy to assist her aunt who had suffered a stroke. She stated
Reiki energy is so powerful that:

“When my aunt experienced pain I would lay my hands on her and she
would immediately feel better. My aunt was very impressed with my
healing and wants me to become a Sangoma, as she feels I have great
healing abilities and can help many people.”

She also treated her brother’s child who is disabled, with Reiki healing.
“The Reiki energy helped to calm him and make him sleep.”

Jane was very ill for a week after the Reiki attunement. After the first
week however, she reported that her life had changed. Jane felt that
Reiki therapy had a positive effect on her well-being and on other
areas of her life. She stopped taking painkillers and was able to control
her pain with Reiki energy. She also reported to have had more

45
energy and felt able to accomplish more during the day. Jane started
working as a waitress. This required her to stay on her feet for long
hours every day but she felt able to cope with it. In the days which
followed the first interview and the attunement, Jane’s self-esteem
improved greatly. She found the courage to break off her relationship
with her boyfriend who was not willing to commit to their relationship.
She reported that she felt more in control of her life, peaceful, happy
and content, despite the fact that her fears about the future and her
illness still bothered her.

Jane reported that Reiki therapy had a positive effect on her life:

“Reiki therapy is gift from God. It helped me to start living again; I

started work and can take care of myself and family; I am stronger
now and can cope without a man in my life; I can help many people
and I look forward to each and every day, Thank you for teaching me
Reiki therapy…. I want to build my own shack away from the house so
that I can have some privacy to meditate and heal others.”

Jane told the researcher that she wanted to continue training in Reiki
Therapy, but lacked the financial resources and transport to attend
classes. She recommended Reiki therapy to other people living with
HIV as she felt that Reiki therapy could assist with pain control and
improve their quality of life as it helped her.

4.2.2 Alice

Alice, a black African woman was a single, unemployed parent of two

children. She lived with her mother who financially supported her and

46
her children. She tested HIV-positive in April 2005 when she fell
pregnant with her second child. Her child had also tested HIV-positive.

Alice said that she understood Reiki therapy to be similar to “laying of

hands on others to heal,” however she had no experience of natural
healing. As with Jane, Alice also decided to take part in the study to
try something new. In addition, she hoped to gain skills to be able to
assist herself and her child. She understood there was no cure for HIV
and wanted to start a supportive therapy to alleviate psychological and
physiological problems associated with her and her child’s illness.

Alice’s main complaints were headaches, painful rashes and a heavy

vaginal discharge. She took Paracetemol painkillers on a daily basis.
Like Jane, Alice also reported debilitating fatigue, but unlike Jane she
felt deeply unhappy and discontented with her life and reported
constant fears about the progression of her or her child’s HIV-infection
to full-blown AIDS and death. As a result she felt no inner peace.
These psychological problems manifested as self-reported mood
swings and feelings of being easily frustrated. Like Jane, she found it
increasingly difficult to concentrate on any other task except her
health and the care of her child and experienced sleeplessness.

“Most nights I stay awake and cry thinking about my hopeless

situation and my future, I am also afraid of what would happen if I get
sick or my child gets sick. I have no one to support me.”

Alice was attuned to Reiki 1 at the RK Khans hospital with two other
participants. After the attunement Alice became very emotional and
wept. She stated she had felt very depressed for some time and felt

47
angry at herself for what has happened. She blamed herself for
ruining her life and that of her child. She was also upset with her
sister, who according to Alice tended to mistreat Alice’s HIV-positive
daughter. For example, the sister did not allow her own children to
play with Alice’s daughter for fear of infection. The researcher allowed
Alice to cry and talk about her problem. Alice later described this
session as cathartic.

Alice continued with self-healing and also performed Reiki on her child
and her grandmother. At the final interview Alice reported that her
pain had diminished and that her rashes and the discharge had cleared
up as well. She explained it as follows:

“When I get pain I place my hand on my head and the pain goes
away. My child as well has benefited, she does not cry as much as she
used to. I often go off to sleep whilst doing Reiki. My rash and
discharge has cleared as well.”

At the final interview Alice reported that she had found employment as
a full time domestic worker. She was able to cope with her duties and
did not find it necessary to rest during the day as she used to. Of
particular comfort to her was the fact that her employer allowed her to
keep her youngest child with her during the day. To better cope with
her insomnia, Alice performed self-healing and she found this greatly
beneficial. Although she reported less mood swings, Alice still reported
bouts of depression. To deal with this, she became increasingly
spiritual, for example:
“I go to church now, I pray a lot and I know that everything will be
fine.”

48
Her final words about Reiki therapy was:

“Reiki therapy has helped me too much. It has helped me and my

child. I feel more happy and peaceful now, I have an income and can
provide for my child, I know God will provide for me and my child. I
recommend Reiki to all who are ill.”

Alice’s CD4 count had increased from 243 to 573, an increase of 330.
Alice CD4 count was 243 a month before the initial interview. She
tested at the RK Khans hospital. She went for her second test after
Reiki attunement and her self-healing Reiki treatment. “I was really
thrilled when I received my results and am convinced that Reiki
therapy had helped increase my CD4 count…. I will continue to use
Reiki therapy on myself and my family….this is a gift from God.” Like
Jane, Alice also expressed her desire to continue learning about Reiki
therapy, but was unable due to financial constraints, poor access to
transport and the lack of knowledge of Reiki in her community.

4.2.3 Sally

Sally was a 37-year old Asian woman with two children. She was
unmarried but living with her boyfriend who was the father of her two
children. She reported that she was in an abusive relationship and
that she suffered mental and physical abuse from her boyfriend. She
was very fearful of this man, as he would assault her and their children
when under the influence of alcohol. Sally believed that her boyfriend
was in his advanced stages of HIV but he failed to seek treatment or
attend the clinic. “ His body is full of rash, he scratches all the time

49
and the bed is full of dry skin….he also has boils under his arms….I do
not sleep in the same room with him.” Although Sally and her
boyfriend live at Sally’s mother’s house she reported that she was
afraid to ask her boyfriend to move out. “He is a dangerous man….he
threatens to kill me and my children….my mum is also afraid of
him….we don’t know what to do.”

The researcher counselled her at length as she seemed suicidal, and

also referred her to help available for abused women. “I am so fed up
with my life, I feel like killing myself and my children.”

Sally tested HIV-positive when she fell pregnant with her second child
in 2006. This child also tested HIV-positive. Sally believed she
contacted the virus form her boyfriend who had multiple sexual
partners. Sally reported that her boyfriend “abuses alcohol and drugs
and spends most of his time with prostitutes at the night clubs.” Sally
depended on her state grant and the generosity of her mother who
was a pensioner to support herself and her family, as her boyfriend
failed to provide for her financially.

Sally reported that she was on medication supplied from the hospital,
which included multi-vitamins and tablets for pain (not ARVs). This
medication she reported produced side-effects in the form of a rash
and itchiness.

Like Jane and Alice, Sally reported to have little prior knowledge of
CAM or natural healing. She believed natural healing was “praying and
placing hands on people to heal them.” She reported that she had
never heard of Reiki therapy and she was very curious to try

50
something new. She added that “ I was praying to God for some
assistance….I am sure that this is an answer to my prayers….I want to
try something new for myself and my child….I hope that this will help
me to sleep better and make my child better and we would be able to
live longer.”

At the initial interview Sally was very emotional, as she only found out
about the status of her baby’s HIV-positive status the previous day.
She needed supportive counselling services which the researcher
provided.

Sally’s main complaints at the initial interview were severe cramps in

her thighs and severe headaches. She also suffered from insomnia and
decreased levels of energy. She stated: “most of the days I take my
medication and sleep. My older child takes care of my baby…. Baths,
feeds and makes her sleep….I do not have the energy to take care of
my own child and this saddens me.”

Sally seemed very despondent about her future and presented with
suicidal behaviour. She reported that: “ My life is a mess, I live in
constant fear of my boyfriend, added to that I have no money and I
have to live with knowing that me and my baby are going to die
soon….I should rather end it all now.”

Sally displayed a lot of anger towards her boyfriend. She stated: “He
destroyed my life….I wish I could kill him.” Sally also expressed great
concern for her older daughter who had just finished Grade 12 and
was presently seeking employment. She stated that “this was a huge
burden for a young child, my child deserved better.” She however

51
added that her older daughter was a very bright and strong child and
helped her cope emotionally and with caring for her younger child.
Sally reported to have no social life due to her mental state and the
conditions at home. She stated: “I cannot afford to go out and if there
is no peace in my life I cannot enjoy myself….people also look at me
differently….they will not help, but they like to talk and gossip.” Sally
chose to isolate herself from the outside world due to her present
circumstances, and she seemed very apathetic.

Sally was attuned to Reiki 1 at the RK Khans hospital along with two
other participants. During the attunement she reported that, “she felt
very peaceful and calm.” The researcher noticed that Sally prayed
silently throughout the Reiki attunement.

Sally continued with self-healing, but was unable to record her

experiences in writing because she was illiterate. The first week after
the attunement, Sally reported that she experienced severe headaches
and urinated often. This, the researcher explained was part of the
detoxification process. After about a week she reported that her
headaches subsided and the cramps also disappeared: “I do not suffer
with headaches anymore and the cramps in my legs also seemed to
have healed….I stopped taking disprins as this caused a burning
sensation in my stomach….If I feel any pain I place my hands on the
spot and the pain seems to get lesser and lesser.”

She also reported that her energy levels fluctuated, as sometimes she
felt very energetic and at other times she tired easily. “I am able to
do more these days….I still have my bad days when I feel very

52
miserable and just want to lie down….but not as often as before the
Reiki attunement.”

Sally also reported that the rash and itchiness she experienced before
Reiki attunement had healed. Sally seemed to be more at peace with
herself and less stressed and a little more empowered. She did not
talk about suicide and seemed more positive about her future. She
further reported that her home circumstances have improved and that
she was finally alone and at peace. She reported the following:

“After the Reiki attunement, I feel more powerful, I went to court, got
a restraining order and got rid of my boyfriend…. The home is so
peaceful now, I do not have to live in fear anymore, my children are
also very happy….Reiki definitely gave me more power, I feel very
brave now.”

Sally, like Jane and Alice, reported that she felt more in control of her
life, peaceful, happy and content, despite the fact that her fears about
the future and that of her children still bother her. She however
added: “I know I cannot change anything, this is the will of God, he
knows what is best for me and my children…. I do not worry so much
about my problem….I do worry about my child….I live each day as it
comes….I go to church and I find inner peace.”

Sally expressed that she would like her older child to learn Reiki
therapy, but due to financial constraints she was unable to send her
child for classes. “My daughter is a kind and compassionate person,
and she loves to help people….I would really like her to learn Reiki
therapy in the future.”

53
Sally concluded the following about her Reiki attunement and
treatment:

“It was a gift from God; I know God has answered my prayers; I know
I cannot do anything about the past; I have to be strong for my child;
Reiki therapy has helped me a lot….I will continue using Reiki therapy
on myself and my baby.”

4.2.4 Carol

Carol, a black African woman, was a single female who had two
children. She was unemployed and was financially dependent on her
mother who worked overseas. Her mother was employed in Canada as
a nursing sister. The father of her two children had deserted her many
years ago. She was living with a boyfriend whom she believed had
infected her with the HI-virus. Carol responded to the newspaper
article. Carol was very enthusiastic to participate in the research as
she felt she was a healer and wanted to help those who were HIV-
positive. Carol came across as an intelligent woman, who gave up
her job and her will to live when she discovered she was HIV-positive.
She tested HIV-positive in 2000, and started attending a clinic from
2006. She reported that she was infected by her boyfriend whom she
believed have had multiple sex partners. She has since left him and
was living alone with her two sons. The children were from a previous
relationship, and were thus not infected. Carol seemed extremely
worried and afraid of the future. “I have sleepless nights worrying
about my children….who will take care of me or my children when I get
sick?....I wish I never met my boyfriend.”

54
Carol’s understanding of Reiki therapy was “working with the inner
spirit, there is no medication involved and making someone sweat.”
She had very little prior knowledge of CAM but was familiar with the
services rendered in the community by a local Sangoma and
reportedly had attended a healing session and had experienced some
relief. Carol also reported to be using herbal medication for pain, but
had not heard of Reiki therapy.

Carol, like Jane, reported to have had a calling to be a Sangoma and

was enthusiastic to participate in the study “to try something new and
to be able to help others who are HIV-positive.” Carol was eager to
counsel others and queried whether she could assist with the research.

Carol’s main complaints were daily headaches, backache and pain in

her feet when she walked long distances. She self-medicated with a
commonly available analgesic powder or herbal remedies to ease the
pain. Carol also described symptoms of fatigue, which she portrayed
as “I get tired easily and most of the days I just lie around and feel
sorry for myself.”

She described herself as “mentally exhausted, helpless and feel

hopeless….I wish I could end it all.” Carol, like Sally, also presented
with suicidal behaviour and needed supportive counselling services.

“Nothing [is] going my way; I feel useless and helpless and I often
think about committing suicide.”
Carol reported that she felt no inner peace and was agitated all the
time. She stated: “I blame myself for what happened and feel guilty

55
about what I have done to my children.…they do not deserve this.”
Carol, like Jane, reported to have no leisure activities which she
described as a consequence of self-imposed social isolation. She also
intimated that, prior to her diagnosis, she went to clubs with her
friends.

Carol had to be counselled at length because of her state of mind. She

was hoping to have a miracle cure available, and was prepared to do
anything to change the situation. The researcher made it clear to her
that participation in the study and Reiki therapy should not be seen as
a panacea for her situation, but as supportive therapy to help her
come to terms with her HIV-positive status and to reassess her
appraisal of her condition. Carol received two counselling sessions
before the Reiki attunement. She felt more positive after the
attunement.

Reiki attunement was undertaken at the researchers’ clinic with one

other participant, Rose. Carol stated the following about her
experience of Reiki attunement: “I saw flashes of light, felt very calm.
I saw my deceased grandfather before me….he made me feel very
strong. I felt a wave of energy surround me.”

Carol was very emotional after the attunement, and she reported to
have seen her grandfather in a vision. The researcher allowed her
time to talk about her grandfather and to assess what this experience
ment for her. “My grandfather and I were always close, when he
passed on I was very lost and hurt….he came to me now to say that he
is still with me and I need to be strong.” After the session Carol
appeared to be more calm and relaxed and felt that her grandfather

56
would be guiding her in the future. Carol expressed that this was the
beginning of her healing journey. “This is the start of my healing,
together with my grandfather we will make it….I feel stronger and am
looking forward to the future.”

Carol expressed her passion to be enabled to help others and her

desire to study further in the field of CAM. Carol subsequently enrolled
to complete the full course on healing, and reportedly enjoyed the
course. At the final interview she said that she was offering Reiki
healing to people in her neighbourhood and would eventually open her
own clinic. She sounded very positive. “My life has changed, I am
now focusing on helping other people who are less fortunate than
myself….it really feels great to assist others, it adds more meaning to
my life.”

Carol continued with self-healing but failed to record it because “the

Reiki energy was so relaxing, I often fell asleep, and only awoke the
next morning. Then, my daily routine starts, I have to see to the kids
and go to work.” Carol, like Jane and Alice, secured employment. She
also studied Reiki therapy part time.

Carol reported that her headaches grew worse during the first two
weeks after the attunement and then subsided and disappeared
completely. The first two weeks of pain was part of the detoxification
process: “It feels so strange…. I feel no pain now. Reiki is a miracle
cure. I will definitely promote Reiki in the Black community. People
do not know about this kind of healing.”
Carol, like Jane reported to have stopped self-medicating with pain
tablets. She said that she enjoyed increased levels of energy and that

57
she was in full time employment. She worked in a restaurant which
required long hours on her feet everyday and Carol stated she
managed this with ease. “I feel full of energy sometimes….whilst
working I meet so many new people, I seem to forget about my
problem….I am tired by the evening and seem to sleep very well.”

Carol’s response to her state of mind was: “I feel very happy and
content now, life is worth living for my children. Reiki has changed my
life. I want to be a healer and help other people. People who are HIV
positive should definitely learn Reiki. It changed my life and it will
definitely change others as well. I will definitely promote Reiki therapy
to whomever I meet.”

Carol also reported that due to her fulltime employment she is unable
to rest during the day. “ I am busy most of the day….I have no time
to rest….its strange, I actually do not feel the need to rest….I enjoy my
work.”

Carol referred other HIV positive people to the researcher for Reiki
attunement. These referrals were not included in the study as they
came in after the conclusion of this research. The researcher is
presently offering free Reiki training for people who are HIV-positive
because of the need and the positive effects it had on the research
participants.

4.2.5 Ivy

Ivy was a 52 year old single, female from the coloured community.
She was the oldest volunteer to participate in the research. Like all

58
the other females in the research she was unemployed, but had a
small income in the form of a disability grant. She had one child who
was married and living independently. Ivy looked very frail and ill
when researcher met her the first time. Ivy reported that her CD4
count was 30, and she was not yet on ARVs as she was refused ARVs
due to her heavy smoking. Ivy’s reason for participating in the
research was “I want to try something different….I cannot go on ARVs
because of my smoking, the doctor asked me to stop smoking….I
cannot ….I hope you can help me to stop smoking.”

She tested HIV-positive in 2005, when she was diagnosed with TB.
She is presently on medication for TB only. Ivy reported that the side-
effects of the TB medication was nausea and “feeling miserable the
whole day….I have no energy and lie around the entire day.”

Ivy reported to have very little knowledge of CAM, and had no

knowledge of Reiki therapy. Ivy like the other participants was eager
to try something different as she had no other alternatives. Ivy
reported to have tested her CD4 count at the clinic a month before the
first interview with the researcher. Ivy expressed her hope that Reiki
therapy will help by: “I am hoping Reiki therapy will assist me to give
up smoking, make me relax, so I can sleep better and extend my life.”

Ivy at the initial interview presented with the following problems:

severe daily headaches, severe pain in her knees and arthritis which
presented with severe pains in all her joints. Added to the pain were
the side-effects she experienced due to her TB medication.
Ivy like Jane, Alice, Sally and Carol self-medicated with pain killers to
ease the pain and to survive the day: “I take painkillers, smoke and

59
sleep most of the day, the pain is unbearable most of the time…. I am
stressed and depressed and only find comfort in sleep, and life is just
not worth living.”

Ivy like the other female participants was despondent of the future
and like the other participants reported to having depleted energy, to
which she reported to be taking herbal medication to boost her energy
levels: “Sometimes I do not have the will to get up in the
morning….there is nothing to look forward to….I guess I just have to
wait around to die, when my time is up.” Ivy expressed hopelessness
and despair and like Sally and Carol had given up the fight to survive:
“I have no inner peace, I have no support from my daughter….no-one
in my family knows about my HIV status….They know I have TB. I
sometimes go to church, but most of the times I am too tired to get
out of bed.”

Ivy reported to having no inner peace and worried constantly about

her HIV status and was afraid of death. She also expressed great
anger which was mostly directed at herself. Ivy was reluctant to
discuss how she contacted the HI-virus and the researcher reassured
her that this was not the main aim of the study. Over time however,
she revealed that she had had several sexual partners: “When I was
younger I enjoyed life….I went clubbing and had many boyfriends….I
did not know about HIV and I did not care….having fun was more
important for me.”

Ivy like the other participants needed supportive counselling sessions

before the Reiki attunement. She also presented with suicidal
tendencies and expressed anger, hopelessness and despair of the

60
future. “ Life is not worth living ….I have no friends, my daughter is
away, I hardly see her, my family and friends do not know what is
wrong with me….everyday seems the same….I wake up every morning
with pain….nothing exciting to look forward to, sometimes I have no
will to wake up or to live.”

Ivy’s Reiki attunement and training was undertaken at researcher’s

clinic with one other participant, Peter. Ivy reported feeling a sense of
peace after the attunement. “I felt peaceful and calm during the
attunement.” Ivy seemed fascinated and interested and asked many
questions. Most of the terminology in the training manual was new to
her. She was eager to try and enthusiastically continued her self
treatment. Her records attested to the fact that she did self-healing
about 2 or 3 times a day. She stated Reiki therapy helped her to sleep
and relax during the day: “Whenever I am tired, I do self-healing and I
fall of to sleep…. most of the time I am alone and I get depressed….I
do self-healing and feel better. I have also cut down on my smoking,
but cannot give it up completely.”

The first week after Reiki attunement, Ivy reported that she
experienced severe pain and needed stronger medication. The pain
eased as she continued with her self-healing. She reported that the
pain she experienced had eased considerably. She stated that it
became manageable and that she therefore started relying less on
pain killers. Most of the time she performed self-healing which she
reported eased the pain: “My pain tablets are of a milder form
now….they are not the strong ones I used before….sometimes I go
without pain killers, I just do Reiki healing and the pain goes away…. I
can now walk up the stairs without resting.”

61
Ivy also reported to have increased energy, and that she was able to
accomplish more during the day: “ I started gardening as there is
nothing else for me to do….once my housework is done and I do self-
healing there is nothing more I can do. I like watching TV and spend
most of my time watching TV and doing self-healing. I also listen to
the tape you gave me and this relaxes me.”

The researcher advised Ivy to join social clubs in the area and to go
out and socialise with others. She agreed that this was a good idea
and promised to enlarge her social interaction. Ivy seemed more
positive and reported to be attending church on a regular basis. She
also said that she felt as if she was becoming stronger and more
peaceful by turning to spirituality: “I have accepted Jesus into my
life….I feel peaceful and happy when I am in church, there is great
peace and comfort in the church, God will take care of me.” Ivy stated
that attending church helped her to accept her situation. Despite this,
Ivy reported that news of death or any mention of HIV as a deadly
condition greatly upset her.

She concluded the following about Reiki therapy:

“Reiki therapy has become a part of my life. When I get depressed I

play the Reiki cassette, which makes me feel better, I do self-healing
and go off to sleep. The Reiki cassette calms me and I use the
protection symbol to protect myself.”

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4.2.6 Peter

Peter was a 48 year old Asiatic male. He was the only male who
volunteered to participate in the study and the only research
participant who was employed at the start of the fieldwork. Peter was
different from the other participants in that he presented as being
emotionally, physically and mentally healthy. He did not present with
any physical problems, and was mentally and emotionally accepting of
his HIV status. He stated: “I see HIV as just another disease like
cancer or TB. I do not feel different about myself….I sometimes forget
I am HIV- positive….It does not bother me at all.”

Peter was married with two children. The two children were his
present wife’s children from her first marriage. Peter reported to have
contacted the HI-virus from an earlier relationship with his first wife.
Peter tested HIV-positive when he went for a medical examination for
insurance purposes. His present wife tested HIV-negative. Peter
reported to have the support of his family and friends. He also
reported that he was in a very happy and stable marriage and that this
helped him to cope with his HIV status. He however asserted that at
times he felt no inner peace or harmony when he thought about his
future and that of his family: “Sometimes I get sad and depressed
when I think about the stigma of suffering with HIV and this makes me
very unhappy….I also worry about my present wife and her children.”

Peter contacted the researcher in response to the newspaper article.

He said that he had responded to the newspaper article out of
curiosity, as he was searching for alternative healing for PLWH. He

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reported to have researched CAM and was enthusiastic to be part of a
study to test something new: “I want to try something different….I
read on the Internet all the different forms of healing for PLWH and
Reiki therapy was one of them….this research will give me an
opportunity to learn something new which I could use to help others.”

Peter also expressed his hope that using Reiki therapy will delay his
need to commence with ARVs: “I hope Reiki therapy will increase my
CD4 count, delay the use of ARVs and help me lead a normal life.”

Unlike the other research participants, Peter had some basic

knowledge of CAM. He reported to have researched alternative forms
of healing for HIV-positive patients, and was thus very enthusiastic to
participate in the research. Peter understood the benefits of Reiki
therapy but had not experienced this form of healing. He expressed
his eagerness and willingness to start immediately: “I was looking for
a Reiki Master to go to for healing sessions….when I saw the article I
was excited therefore called you immediately….my sister has also
advised me to try other alternative healing methods.”

Peter was attuned to First degree Reiki at the researcher’s clinic, with
one other research participant, Ivy. During the Reiki attunement, Peter
reported that: “I felt very peaceful and calm.”

Peter reported to continue with Reiki self-healing daily before he went

to sleep or whilst watching television. He reported that he did not
experience any symptoms of elimination and that his physical,
emotional and mental state remained the same. He however reported

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that: “when I did self-healing I became more relaxed and often went
off to sleep.”

Peter like the other participants expressed his desire to continue

learning Reiki therapy, but was unable to do so immediately due to
time constraints. Peter was a very positive person before and after
Reiki attunement, who had accepted his HIV status. He however,
reported to feeling sad when he thought about his HIV status, but
maintained that this feeling often subsided when he focused on the
positive aspects in his life. He treated HIV as just another disease and
continued to live a complete and productive life. He reportedly
continued to visit a private doctor for his routine treatment. He stated
that he would continue with self-healing as this helped him to relax.

4.2.7 Rose

Rose was a 45 year old, Asiatic female with two children from an
earlier relationship. She was living with her boyfriend of 8 years from
whom she believed she contacted the HI-virus. Her boyfriend was also
HIV-positive but was not prepared to go for further tests, counselling
or supportive treatments. Rose mentioned that she had asked her
boyfriend to participate in the study but that he had refused, stating
that he was healthy.

Rose like Peter, Carol and Ivy responded to a newspaper article. Rose
also researched CAM and was eager to try something new. She also
expressed a desire to lead a normal and healthy life and to delay the
use of ARVs.

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Rose like Sally expressed intense anger towards her boyfriend. “ I
hate him for what he did to me….he should have told me his status
when we met, he lied to me, he knew he was HIV-positive when we
started our relationship….he has ruined my life, I hate him.” Rose
however continued with this relationship due to family commitments,
financial support and an expressed fear of being alone. She was
unemployed with two children: “He provides a roof over my head and
he sees to my children….but life is horrible….we constantly fight and
my children can’t stand him….I have major arguments with my
children as well due to my boyfriend staying with us….I feel helpless, I
do not know who to please….I am also afraid of being alone.”

Rose tested HIV-positive in 2000 when she went for her routine
medical examination at King Edward Hospital. She had researched
CAM and had some basic knowledge on CAM and Reiki therapy. She
believed that: “if you strongly believe in something it will happen,
miracles do occur.” She also expressed her hope that Reiki therapy
will assist her to develop spiritually, delay the use of ARVs and help
her lead a healthy and productive life: “From the time I was
diagnosed, I have not been taking care of myself. I am a spiritual
person and I want to become spiritually strong again. I seem to have
given up on life. My greatest worry right now is the future of my
children.”

Rose presented with the following symptoms during the first interview:
pain in her lower back, arms and chest area and depleted energy
levels which often left her feeling unable to cope with her daily
activities. She reported that she was unable to rest due to the
demands of her household chores and family commitments. She found

66
the task of taking her children to school and collecting them again in
the afternoons especially tiring. She appeared to be stressed and
agitated and during the interview the researcher noticed that she was
very fidgety and could not sit still. Rose also reported that she often
felt negative feelings like stress, anxiety and depression. She reported
that these feelings led to poor concentration and insomnia. Rose self-
medicated with pain killers and sleeping tablets: “I cannot survive
without painkillers and sleeping tablets….I can only sleep when I am
knocked out.…this worries me as I know I am destroying myself and I
need to do something about the situation.”

Rose acknowledged that her situation had reached a stage where she
needed help, and that this was one of the reasons why she was eager
to participate in the study. She felt that she had become dependent
on medication for pain control and to sleep. Rose, like Peter, was
comfortable with her HIV status being known to others and was
prepared to learn Reiki therapy in a group along with other HIV-
positive research participants. She further reported that her HIV
status was known to her family but that she received little support
because of her relationship with her present boyfriend. Rose also
expressed the need to meet with other PLWHs for support.

Rose, like the other female participants, reported to have no inner

peace and felt deeply unhappy and discontented with her life. These
psychological problems manifested as self-reported mood swings,
anger, depression and feelings of being easily frustrated. Rose also
reported that she regularly suffered panic attacks, and that she
harboured suicidal thoughts: “Sometimes I think of killing myself and

67
my children….there is nothing to live for…. I fear for my children. Who
will take care of them when I get sick or die?”

Rose reported to experience no inner peace and harmony as she

feared death and the unpredictable impact of her illness on the future
of her children. She had no leisure activities which she described as a
consequence of her mental state and her depleted energy: “I do not
go anywhere or join anyone because I am not happy, I am always
worried and I also have no time and energy. When I have free time I
try to sleep….I also don’t like meeting people, I feel depressed
knowing that they are happy and well and I am not.”

Rose received her Reiki attunement and training at the researcher’s

clinic with one other research participant, Carol. Rose and Carol
seemed to have gained a lot of support from each other. Both these
research participants presented with suicidal tendencies and expressed
helplessness and a desire to end their lives. After the Reiki
attunement and training these two research participants maintained
contact telephonically and supported each other through emotional
crises.

Rose, like Carol, was very emotional after the Reiki attunement. She
vented her feelings of anger towards her boyfriend and her present
circumstances. The researcher allowed her the opportunity to release
her anger by giving her the opportunity to express herself and cry.
She also expressed sadness about her children: “My children do not
deserve this, they are innocent, they do not have to suffer the pain
that I am going through and they do not have to live with someone
that does not care for them.”

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Both Rose’s and Carol’s children were HIV-negative, but they were
greatly affected by HIV. These children were aware of the pain and
anxieties experienced by their mothers. In this respect Rose reported
that her children were very traumatised by her status and that they
were forced to stay with her boyfriend whom they disliked: “My
children hate my boyfriend. They know that he infected me. They
want me to leave him. My boyfriend constantly fights with my children
and ill-treats them. My children often threaten to run away from home
because of my boyfriend.”
Carol’s children on the other hand do not have the boyfriend living
with them, but still display great anger towards this man, whom they
believe ruined their lives and that of their mother.

Rose reported that she often had to choose between her boyfriend and
her children which caused stress in her life. Rose continued with self-
healing, but did not complete a daily schedule. She reported that she
would often perform self-healing whilst watching TV or when she went
to bed. Self-healing she reported helped her to relax and sleep.

A week after the Reiki Attunement, Rose reported that she was very
emotional and also very angry at her boyfriend. This led to many
heated arguments which eventually led to her leaving her boyfriend.
When she left her boyfriend, she reported to feeling: “very light and
peaceful, It felt like a huge burden had been lifted.…I feel more
peaceful.... I still feel some anger towards my boyfriend but I am
working on it. My children are at peace and that’s what matters.”

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Rose told the researcher that she received emotional and financial
support from her siblings after her break-up with her boyfriend. She
realised that it was her problematic relationship with her boyfriend
that caused the rift with her siblings and not her HIV status. Rose
revealed that she had experienced flu-like symptoms after the Reiki
attunement coupled with severe back pain for the first week. This the
researcher attributed to the detoxification process. Rose eventually
reported that the pain had eased considerably during the course of her
self-healing and had eventually stopped: “I have stopped taking
painkillers, doing self-healing on a regular basis seemed to have
lessened the pain on my body.… and I noticed the pain soon
disappeared. It feels strange no pain, no medication. I even stopped
taking sleeping tablets for the past week.”

Rose, like Sally, was able to leave a destructive situation. Both stayed
in an abusive and unhappy relationship for fear of their partners and
for individual personal reasons. Rose stated: “I feel free now, I and my
boys are at peace, there is no more tension, fighting or anger in the
home….the boys are happy and I can now concentrate on making by
children happy and healing myself.” Rose further reported that she
accepts what has happened and wanted to concentrate on leading a
more productive life with her family: “I fully accept what has
happened….I take full responsibility, I should have been more careful.
I however, cannot change the past, I need to now concentrate on my
two children, make the best of the days we have left.”

Rose like all the other research participants seemed more positive in
her orientation to the future. “ I now look forward to the future.…my
physical conditions seemed to have improved. I feel more positive

70
towards my future.…my priority is to make my children’s life happy
and comfortable.”

Rose reported that her quality of life seemed to have improved. She
attributed this to the fact that she weaned herself of medication and
had moved away from an unhealthy and destructive situation: “There
are no more fights at home, my children are happy, we are at peace.
I have enough strength and energy to be brave for my children….I
don’t drug myself to sleep or numb my pain. The pain killers often
made me drowsy and felt uncomfortable during the day.”

Rose like Alice reported an increase in her CD4 count. Her CD4 count
before the Reiki attunement and self-healing was 236. She had tested
at Addington Hospital. After her Reiki attunement and self-healing she
tested again and reported that her CD4 count had increased to 455 -
an increase of 219. She attributed this increase to Reiki therapy and
her changed lifestyle: “I know my CD4 count has increased due to
Reiki therapy, I am more peaceful and happy now….I have accepted
my situation….I believe my CD4 count will continue to increase with
regular treatment. It has already increased by 219. I have faith that I
will lead a long and productive life.”

Rose like the other participants turned to spirituality for comfort: “I

have started praying now, my children join me when I go to the
temple….although the virus is still there, I do not let it bother me
anymore. Going to the temple has made me stronger. I am not
blaming anyone for my illness. I finally got the courage to stand up to
my boyfriend. I have accepted what has happened to me and I know I

71
need to take responsibility for my actions. Right now I want to make
the best of each and every day.”

Rose concluded the following about Reiki: “Reiki therapy is a gift from
God….It has helped me a lot. I hope other people will get to know
about Reiki therapy and its benefits….this therapy should be available
to all mankind.”

Rose also expressed her desire to continue learning Reiki therapy,

once she became financially secure.

4.3 Discussion of the research participants’ adjustment to

living with HIV prior to and after their introduction to Reiki

Five out of the seven research participants had no knowledge of Reiki

therapy prior to the study but were willing and eager to learn about
alternative and supportive therapies. A conclusion from this study is
that PLWHs seek alternatives to biomedical treatment to help them
adjust to their diagnosis, to live with the disease as a chronic illness,
to help them deal with stress and psychological problems related to
their status and to delay the need for ARV therapy for as long as
possible. From the problems encountered with the recruitment of
volunteer participants, it became clear to the researcher that the
unfamiliarity of CAM in general and Reiki in particular as well as
financial constraints to attend training or therapy sessions in addition
to scheduled clinic or private practice visits were important barriers to
all PLWHs accessing CAM or Reiki as a supportive therapy.

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Although all of the research participants were diagnosed with HIV and
attended a clinic or a private practitioner, none were accessing ARVs at
the time of the first interviews. The majority of the research
participants were self-medicating with pain killers, sleeping tablets and
energy boosters. Peter presented a different case, as he reported no
physical symptoms and did not use medication to deal with pain or
insomnia. He had the most positive health perception of all the
research participants at the initial interview and this remained
unchanged over the course of the study. Peter’s need for Reiki
attunement was to continue living as normal a life as possible and to
cope with the stresses of his daily job. In sharp contrast with the
women respondents, Peter enjoyed a calm, stable and happy domestic
life and his wife supported him emotionally. In addition, he was the
only research participant who obtained treatment from a private health
practitioner and did not rely on public health services to help him live
positively with HIV.

The six female research participants all relied on public health services
and all had poor social support systems at the start of the fieldwork.
This was evident in abusive relationships, abandonment and
discriminatory treatment by family members. The RK Khans Hospital
offered group work sessions for people living with HIV but six of the
research participants required additional counselling to help them
come to terms with feelings of despondency, fear, anger and suicidal
thoughts. Two of the women were in abusive relationships at the start
of the fieldwork and initially regarded themselves as trapped in these
deleterious domestic arrangements. It seems that their own appraisals
of their “guilt” in their infection and the shame they felt for exposing
their loved ones to HIV spilled over into inabilities to try and improve

73
their personal lives. According to the cognitive appraisal model of
stress and coping, social support affects symptom experience and
adjustment. Of interest in this study is the finding that some of the
participants’ appraisals of their HIV-statuses (guilt, shame, anger and
fear of abandonment) influenced their social support in that they
became accepting of domestic arrangements that they knew were
unhealthy. It therefore seemed that for some people living with HIV,
social support can be secondary to illness appraisal. This is further
supported by the finding that following Reiki attunement and self-
healing, these women reappraised their illness statuses, dealt with
their guilt, shame, anger and fear and found the strength to address
their domestic problems. A possible explanation for this is that women
like Jane and Carol were content with abusive or destructive
relationships because of their own self-stigmatisation. In this respect it
should be noted that Norbeck and Anderson (1989) found that for
some women, social support tends to reinforce negative health
practices. Stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS forced some of the
research participants to practice self-imposed social isolation. They felt
guilty about their statuses and their inabilities to cope with ordinary
day-to-day tasks due to fatigue and a host of other symptoms. Their
poor social support reinforced their negative appraisals of themselves
and this, in turn, led to psychosocial problems and feelings of
powerlessness.

Reiki attunement, training and self-healing enabled all of the research

participants to come to terms with negative feelings and to own up to
feelings of powerlessness and fears of disease progression and death.
Since Reiki emphasises a focus on the self via self-healing, it afforded
the research participants the opportunity to confront their feelings of

74
frustration (at themselves or at whomever they believed were the
infective partners in their lives) and pain and to bring it out in the
open. This set them on the path of coping with their illness statuses.
According to Lazarus and Folkman (1984) coping is a learned response
and does not require mastery, but effort. In this regard, the study
demonstrated how relaxation techniques, focus on inner abilities to
reassess a situation and actively dealing with stress had some success
for people living with HIV. Moreover, as the participants incorporated a
newly learnt skill into their own illness coping strategies, they felt able
to extend this skill to other people in their social circles. This further
supported feelings of self-efficacy in their own coping.

The study itself, through bringing people living with HIV together to
learn about Reiki, helped some of the research participants like Carol
and Rose to cultivate a new support system. They found courage from
each other and were able to change situations which they previously
appraised as difficult but impossible to alter.

4.4 Conclusion

In this Chapter, detailed descriptions of the research participants,

details of the interviews before Reiki attunement and their individual
experiences of Reiki therapy before and after Reiki attunement were
given. The next chapter, Chapter 5, focuses on a summary of the
research project and concluding comments.

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 Chapter 5
Conclusion

5.1 Introduction

This qualitative study explored the use of Reiki therapy as a form of

CAM in improving the quality of life of PLWH. The specific research
objectives included: (1) the perceptions and experiences of PLWH of
Reiki therapy as a complementary and alternative treatment, (2) the
perceived benefits of Reiki therapy for PLWH and (3) the perceived
obstacles to the general use of Reiki therapy for PLWH who received
Reiki therapy as a complementary and alternative treatment. This
study attempted to explore the experiences of participants with regard
to Reiki therapy and how Reiki therapy affected their quality of life.

According to the Encyclopaedia of Public Health, (2008) “Quality of life

is a degree of well-being felt by an individual….quality of life is not a
tangible concept and therefore cannot be measured directly….Quality
of life consists of two components, the first is a physical aspect which
includes such things as health, diet, as well as protection against pain
and disease, the second component is psychological in nature….which
includes stress, worry, pleasure and other positive or emotional
states.”

From a biological perspective, Ullrich (2003) stated that bodily pains

are common for PLWH, particularly with peripheral neuropathy in the
hands and feet that makes it difficult to walk or pick up things. Sally,
Carol, Ivy and Rose presented with these conditions at the first
interview.

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Opportunistic infections occur when the immune system is weakened.
PLWH have weakened immune systems and are thus unable to fight
certain infections. People with lower immune systems can even get
infections from organisms that do not usually cause diseases
(www.pdrhealth.com). Symptoms of opportunistic infections
associated with HIV include fever, fatigue, weight loss, cough,
difficulty breathing, night sweats, and altered mental states, severe
headaches, diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fatigue,
constipation and enlarged glands. Six of the seven research
participants presented with one or more of the above symptoms at the
initial interview.

As has been established in Chapter 2, PLWH are prone to stress. Major

stressors include fear of getting sick and dying, fear of infecting
someone else or of being re-infected with new strains of HIV, the
stress of paying for medications, anxiety about eating right, exercising
and doing the right things, avoiding unhealthy habits and addictions,
the psychological pain of being discriminated against because of HIV,
abandonment and social isolation. All of the research participants with
the exception of Peter expressed the above conditions which caused
stress.

HIV/AIDS is a chronic and life-threatening illness. Adjusting to the

illness is a life-long process. Discovery of the infection precipitates
many emotional dilemmas such as shock, anger, denial, guilt and
anxiety. All of the research participants except Peter displayed most
or all the above symptoms. Therefore one can conclude that living
with HIV has a profound effect on the person’s psychological,
physiological, biological and sociological well-being.

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5.2 Reiki as CAM

The field of CAM has received increased attention in conventional

medical environments over the last decade. Research has shown that
by 1997, nearly half the American public was using some form of CAM,
and usage continues to rise (National Centre for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine [Sa]). These studies showed further that patients
are supplementing their conventional medical care with CAM without
involving the physicians. Another study found that people seek CAM
not out of dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, but because CAM
more deeply reflects their values and beliefs. Energy medicine (e.g.
Reiki therapy) is particularly popular, and is largely regarded as non-
invasive and low risk.

Reiki is an ancient miracle for modern living. The knowledge that an

unseen energy flows through all living this and directly affects the
quality of health has been a part of the wisdom of many cultures.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-
improvement that everyone can use (Harrison 2000).

5.3 Reiki Research

In this study the research participants were not healed by a Reiki

practitioner. Following the ethical guidelines of the study, the research
participants were attuned to the Reiki energy and taught how to do
self-healing to help them cope with living with HIV. The healing was
not in any way manipulated or controlled by the
practitioner/researcher. Research participants were requested to

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perform self-healing, record and report their experiences with the use
of Reiki therapy. Two separate interviews using semi-structured
interviews were used to interview research participants before and
after Reiki attunement and self-healing. All interviews were audio
taped and transcribed verbatim.

5.3.1 Reiki attunement

According to Gupta (2004): “ Reiki attunement is a process of

empowerment that opens the crown, throat, heart and palm chakras
and connects one to the unlimited source of Reiki energy.”

Participants had varied experiences when attuned to Reiki energy. Ivy

and Peter felt relaxed and calm after the attunement. Rose and Alice
were emotional after the attunement. They cried and released their
anger and frustrations towards their partners and those around them.
This was a way of releasing their pent-up feelings. Jane reported that
she felt intense heat on her hands whilst Carol saw flashes of light and
saw an image of her grandfather.

According to Lipinski (2004): “Many people can feel attunement as it

is done, as heat or waves of energy flowing into their body or they
may see light or even images or hear music. Many people do not have
any experience at all, other than perhaps feeling both more relaxed
and energised than usual.”

Participants had varied experiences with regards to eliminations. Ivy

and Rose went through major emotional releases like depression,
anger and sadness. Rose also experienced flu-like symptoms. This

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subsided with self-healing. Jane became very ill and had to go to
hospital for treatment. Sally, Ivy and Carol reported intense
headaches which lasted for a week and then subsided with Reiki
treatment. The researcher explained to the participants the process of
detoxification. This was part of their healing process and participants
were aware and prepared for this process.

5.4 Effects of Reiki Therapy

Several effects of Reiki therapy were noted by participants. This can

be divided into physical, mental/emotional, energetic and spiritual
domains.

5.4.1. Physical

All participants except one experienced severe pain before Reiki

attunement. Most were self-medicating with pain killers. All
participants reported that their pain has lessened considerably after
Reiki attunement and Reiki treatment. Most performed Reiki healing
on themselves when they experienced pain. The research participants
also reported to have either stopped taking pain killers or taking a
milder dose. Jane, Carol and Rose also reported to have discontinued
medication for pain control.

Rose and Carol reported that the pain they had experienced prior to
Reiki treatment had stopped completely. Ivy reported that her pain
had lessened considerably and that she had thus reduced the strength
of pain tablets to a milder form. Sally reported that the rash and
itchiness experienced before Reiki attunement had healed completely.

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Jane also reported the healing of glands on her head and armpits after
Reiki attunement. In this respect, Reiki therapy was able to assist
some of the research participants with problem-focused coping in that
they were able to deal with pain and pain experiences more
effectively. Dealing with debilitating pain and the disappearance or
alleviation of skin irritations and painful swellings helped these
research respondents to respond better to living with HIV. This, in turn
had positive emotion-focused coping responses and this is discussed in
the next section.

5.4.2 Mental/Emotional

At initial interview six of the seven participants reported to be deeply

unhappy and discontented with their lives, and also reported constant
fears about the progression of their HIV-infection to full-blown AIDS
and death. As a result they felt no inner peace. These psychological
problems manifested as self-reported mood swings and feeling of
being easily frustrated. Sally, Rose and Carol reported suicidal
thoughts. All of the research participants except Peter experienced
mood swings and negative feelings ranging from anxiety, fear,
depression and panic attacks.

After Reiki treatment, most of the research participants reported that

they felt relief and managed to work through their negative feelings.

Rose and Sally who were in abusive relationships, reported to have

become empowered to remedy the situation. Both were able to stand
up for what they believed in and decided to separate from their
boyfriends. Both reported to feel more peaceful, happy and content

81
with their lives. They both also reported to be more in control of their
lives and decided to focus on their happiness and that of their children.
Jane also decided to leave her boyfriend, as she felt their relationship
was not progressing to a deeper level of commitment. These
participants felt that Reiki therapy had helped them to take different
choices for themselves. Because Reiki therapy allowed them to bring
their negative feelings to the fore and to relax and reassess their HIV-
positive status, they were able to reappraise their social situations.

Moreover Jane, Alice and Carol decided in the course of the fieldwork
to seek employment. Finding employment added to their quality of life
and gave them a sense of security and independence. A remarkable
change in their self-esteem was noticeable. The cognitive reframing of
what it means to live with HIV, as enabled by Reiki attunement and
self-healing, made it possible for some of the research participants to
stop avoidance behaviour and move out from social isolation to find
employment. These transformations in these research participants’
relationships to their social environments (leaving abusive or
unfulfilling relationships and finding work outside the home) lead to
feelings of self-efficacy, deeper reappraisals, reassessment of life
goals, positive emotions and more successful coping.

All of the research participants initially reported that they did not
participate in any leisure activities due to financial reasons, time
constraints or as a consequence of self-imposed social isolation. After
Reiki treatment none of the research participants changed their leisure
time activities, but the reasons they offered for this changed. Jane,
Alice and Carol reported that they secured employment and therefore
they had no time for recreational activities. Ivy was encouraged by

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the researcher to join a women’s group in her residential area, to
which she agreed. Rose also reported that she had limited time, due
to commuting her children to and from school. Peter reported to be
spending most of his leisure time with his family.

Self-healing and relaxation techniques were, however, incorporated

into the lifestyles of all the research participants. All research
participants reported to be using self-healing techniques on a regular
basis. Ivy reported to be self-healing at least two or three times a
day. She reported that Reiki treatments helped her to relax and sleep.
Their positive attitudes towards the principles of Reiki engendered a
sense of purpose and meaning in the research participants as they all
reported that they wished to continue using the techniques and also
planned to apply it to others. As they learnt the techniques, they
developed feelings of mastery and control. As Reiki is administered by
the person her/himself and the person living with HIV is not a passive
recipient, Reiki increased positive perceptions of personal control. It is
important to recognise that for the HIV-positive people in this study,
these new and valued goals were not directed at curing the disease,
but at objectives such as increasing energy levels, coping with pain,
relaxing in order to sleep, increasing their physical mobility and social
interaction and repairing relationships with positive social others in
their social environments. The important point is that Reiki therapy
helped the research participants to feel better because they
reassessed their life goals and set plans of action in place to
incorporate Reiki principles into their lives with a perceived reasonable
probability of success.

83
5.4.3 Energy levels

All of the research participants except Peter initially reported to having

depleted levels of energy, which resulted in them resting at least once
or twice during the day. Peter was in employment and stated he had
enough energy to cope throughout the day.

After Reiki treatment, all of the research participants reported an

increase in their energy levels. Three participants reported that they
were employed full time and thus unable to rest during the day. They
further reported that they coped well during the day and did not feel
the need to rest.

5.4.4 Spiritual domain

Religiosity or spirituality can be important resources to effectively cope

with stress. Rose initially stated she wanted to take part in the study
because she was a spiritual person, but had lost touch with her
spirituality and hoped that Reiki therapy would assist her to become
more spiritual again.

Sally and Ivy have reported that after the Reiki attunement they
attended church on a regular basis. This helped them to cope with
their situation. In addition all of the research participants reported
feelings of inner peace and harmony after the Reiki treatment.

Miles (2003):, found that “not only is Reiki an effective modality for
reducing pain, depression and anxiety, but that it is also effective in
enhancing desirable changes in personality and strengthening the faith

84
in God. Reiki has no religious affiliation, nor is an enhanced religiosity
per se an intended out come of Reiki. However, spiritual growth may
enhance the people living with HIV’s ability to cope with the life
changes resulting from their illness.”

5.5 CD4 Count

It is important to note that the CD4 counts of two of the research

participants had increased during one month of self-treatment.
Unfortunately, only these two cases can be reported on as the other
research participants were unable to test their CD4 counts prior to the
second interview. In this respect Reuters Health (2003) reports: “
Reiki has a salutary effect on the immune system, though the full
extent of it has yet to be determined….An increase in a primary
immune system component is significant – any enhancement of the
function of the immune system must be carefully explored to
determine how extensive it is and how it affects a disease that
compromises that system.” In a similar vain the National Centre for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that: “Both anxiety
and depression have been independently associated with suppression
of immune function (decrease in natural killer cell activity) and other
measures of lymphocyte function, increase in Cortisol. As Reiki
therapy has been shown to be an effective modality for reducing pain,
depression and anxiety, its effects on negative emotional states may
help improve the immune functions over time.”
(www.nccam.nih.gov).

85
This study found that the negative emotions of participants have been
greatly reduced through Reiki therapy. Further research on Reiki
therapy and the perceived benefits need to be explored.

5.6 Perceived barriers to using Reiki therapy as a form of CAM

All of the research participants had little or no prior knowledge of Reiki

therapy as a form of CAM. Jane and Carol had reported using the
services of a local Sangoma. According to the research participants,
the use of CAM was not known in their communities. Jane, Alice and
Sally learnt of Reiki therapy when it was introduced at the support
groups for HIV patients at the RK Khans hospital. All of the research
participants expressed their willingness to participate in the study
because they “wanted to try something new.”

All of the research participants expressed their desire to continue to

learn more about Reiki therapy. However many were unable to do so
due to financial constraints and transport. All of the research
participants except Peter came from lower socioeconomic groups. All
female participants reported to live in semi-rural areas and were either
unemployed or financially dependent on others.

5.7 Limitations

This study had some limitations. The first limitation was the difficulty
in recruiting participants. The researcher spent almost three months
at the RK Khans hospital attending group sessions and explaining to
the people living with HIV the aims of the research. Only three
participants were successfully recruited via this method. The

86
methodology to recruit volunteers at The RK Khans Hospital only, had
to be modified and adverts were placed in newspapers requesting for
participants for the research. This also proved to be difficult for
various reasons.

The second limitation was the language barrier. Although an

interpreter was available, participants were not able to grasp the
concept of Reiki therapy.

The third limitation was finance. There was no funding available for
the research. Most of the people living with HIV attending the RK
Khans Hospital were living in poverty and wanted some compensation
for their participation in the research.

Another limitation was the lack of depth in some of the interviews.

This is a risk in qualitative research because sometimes people have
problems expressing their thoughts. Further, some of the participants
were IsiZulu-speaking people living with HIV, and expressing
themselves in English did pose a problem.

5.8 Further Research

This study was an exploratory study designed to gather information on

the effect of Reiki on the quality of life of PLWH. Further research is
needed to describe the full effect of Reiki therapy on the coping of
PLWH. Reiki therapy can help people living with HIV reduce pain,
anxiety, depression and improve their general quality of life. Reiki
therapy’s salutary effect on the immune system may have a long-term
impact. In this respect Miles (2003) suggests that: “New programs

87
could contain protocols to monitor the immune system functions of
treated people living with HIV (as compared to those not receiving
Reiki treatments).”

The following tentative recommendations are on the basis of the

findings of this small scale study to incorporate Reiki therapy or similar
supportive therapeutic programmes into wellness programmes for
PLWH:

1. Using Reiki therapy or similar supportive therapeutic

programmes to help PLWH to reassess their situation and
embrace change. By helping people come to terms with anger,
fear, anxiety, self-blame and fatalism, Reiki can help them
reappraise a life with HIV in terms of personal control and
finding meaningful life goals.
2. Using Reiki therapy or similar supportive therapeutic
programmes to help PLWH maintain coping skills. By teaching
PLWH self-relaxation techniques, they are better able to cope
with pain, connect with others socially and sleep better. Pugh
(2005) in her dissertation concluded that: “Reiki is a beneficial
therapy regimen for sleep disturbances because it decreases
episodes of insomnia and improves sleep patterns. Reiki also
promotes physical/mental calmness due to a healthy, stable
parasympathetic nervous system, and Reiki is an alternative
technique to decrease episodes insomnia without use of
pharmaceuticals.”

88
5.9 Conclusion

This qualitative study attempted to explore how Reiki therapy could

improve the quality of lives of PLWH. Responses from the participants
proved that Reiki therapy had positive results. Reiki therapy helped
each participant in an individual way according to the needs of the
participants. No negative consequences were reported from receiving
Reiki therapy. Illness specific symptom relief, as well as mental and
emotional effects such as decreased anxiety, decrease in depression
and a better ability to handle stressful situations were experienced by
participants. Spiritual awakening and connection were also
experienced by some participants. A boost of energy was experienced
by almost all participants.

Some participants experienced different sensory experiences during

the Reiki attunement. The experiences range from feeling energy,
temperature changes to seeing visions. Many of the experiences
described by the participants support what has been written in
literature.

Reiki therapy provides persons with HIV tools to deal with body, mind
and spirit all of which are adversely affected by the illness, the
medication, and the long-term prognosis. Anyone can learn Reiki
therapy, and it is useful immediately upon learning.

Research has proved that Reiki can reduce pain, anxiety, depression,
mood swings and panic attacks. Relief from other symptoms such as
improved sleep, deeper relaxation, decrease in medication use and

89
increased energy were also noted during the research. Other
participants reported to sleeping better and waking earlier and that
their self-healing sessions were relaxing, decreased tension, and eased
the mind.

Some of the research participants also became empowered and took

action to remedy their unpleasant situations. Some participants also
secured employment, making them financially independent and thus
improving their quality of life.

Reiki therapy promotes total relaxation, enhancing the body’s ability to

recover from stress, and disease, improves the quality of life, making
one’s life more meaningful. This study provided a glimpse into the
world of energy therapy, Reiki therapy and its benefits to PLWH all of
which will help in the continued understanding of CAM therapies.

90
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100
Appendix A – Consent Form

Dear ……………………………….

I am a graduate student at the University of South Africa. As part of

the requirements for my Master’s Degree I have to complete a
research dissertation. I wish to study how Reiki Therapy (which is a
natural form of healing) assists with improving the quality of life of
people living with HIV. I wish to teach and initiate volunteers on Reiki
therapy, thereafter monitor self healing and subsequently have
individual interviews and focus groups for the purposes of data
collection. As a participant, you would be involved in the following:

1. An initial interview.

2. Two half-day workshops, learning about Reiki therapy and how to

do self healing.

3. Thirty days of self healing at home.

4. A second (follow-up) interview after you have completed step 3

(the Reiki self healing).

5. An optional focus group discussion.

You will not have to answer any question you do not wish to answer.
Your interview will be conducted at the hospital or any place
convenient to you, after I have received a copy of this signed consent
letter from you. With your permission, I would like to audiotape this
interview. Only I will have access to the tape recording which I will
personally transcribe, removing any identifiers during transcription.
The tape will then be erased. Your identity will be kept confidential to
the extent provided by law and your identity will not be revealed in the
final manuscript.

There are no anticipated risks, compensation or other direct benefits to

you as a participant in this interview. You are free to withdraw your
consent to participate and may discontinue your participation in the
interview at any time without consequence.

101
If you have any questions about this research protocol, please contact
me at [031-2623199] or Cell: 0836822286 or [email protected].

Yours sincerely

VIJAY SEWDUTH

Please sign and return this copy of the letter in the enclosed envelope. A

second copy is provided for your records. By signing this letter,

you give me permission to report your responses anonymously in the final

manuscript to be submitted to my supervisors.

[Name]

___________________________________________________

I have read the procedure described above for the proposed research
study. I voluntarily agree to participate in the research and I have
received a copy of this description.

____________________________ ___________
Signature of participant Date

I would like to receive a summary copy of the final report submitted to

for assessment.

YES NO

Name of Participant:……………………………………

Telephone number:……………………………………..

Address:……………………………………………………….

Email:…………………………………………………………..

102
Appendix B

First Interview – Reiki Research

NAME……………………………………………..DATE:………………………………..

Sex: ………………………Age: ………………………..Marital Status:…………..……..

No. of Children:…………………………………...Occupation:………………………..…

How long have you been attending the clinic?......................................................................

………………………………………………………………………………………………
Are you HIV positive ?..........................................................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
When were you diagnosed?...................................................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
What medication are you on presently?.................................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Does the medication have any side-effects?..........................................................................
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
What is your understanding of Reiki or Natural healing?.....................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you receive any form of Natural Healing?.......................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Why do you want to participate in this research?..................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
What are your expectations?..................................................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………

The following questions to access their quality of life at present:

Do you experience any physical pain?...................................................................................

………………………………………………………………………………………………
Can you describe or explain where you experience pain?.....................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
What do you do or take to lessen the pain?...........................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you have enough energy to cope with daily life?.............................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you get tired easily and need to rest often?.(How often).................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you feel happy and content with your life right now? Explain…………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you feel inner peace and harmony?..................................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………

103
Do you experience any negative feelings such as mood swings, anxiety, depression, fear
etc? (Researcher will explain these concepts)……………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you have problems with concentration?...........................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you have problems sleeping at night?..............................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you have any leisure activities?.......................................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
If yes, what are your leisure activities?………………...…………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………
If No, why don’t you have leisure activities?........................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………
CD4 count at present – if known…………………………………………………………

Researcher……………………………………………..Date………………………………

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Appendix C

Final Interview – Reiki Research

Interview after Reiki attunement and treatment

Name:…………………………………………………Date……………………………….

Did you continue with self treatment?:

(Check schedule and discuss any problems)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
What effects did you feel after the Reiki attunement?........................................................:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Eliminations experienced:………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
To access your quality of life over the past two weeks

Do you experience any physical pain?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Can you describe or explain where you experience pain?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you have enough energy to cope with daily life?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you get tired quickly and need to rest?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
How often per day do you need to rest?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you feel happy and content with your life right now? Explain.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you feel inner peace and harmony?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you experience any negative feelings such as mood swings, anxiety, depression,
fear etc? (Researcher will explain these concepts)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you have problems concentrating?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you have problems sleeping at night?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you have any leisure activities?
.............................................................................................................................................
CD4 count at present – if known…………………………………………………………………

Other comments:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Researcher:………………………………………..Date:…………………………………

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