Transcript Slide 1

Relaxation Techniques and
effects on Vital Signs
Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Kelley Buzbee, A.A.S., R.R.T., N.P.S.- R.C.P.
Stephen Briggs S.R.T.
Conchita Cameron, Dip. M (ITEC)., Dip. CA, Reiki Master, S.R.T.
Vicki Lossow B.A.(Ed)., S.R.T.
Rene Talley S.R.T.
Kathleen White S.R.T.
Biological Question
Does Reiki, meditation, and aromatherapy
affect vital signs and the perception of
well being on healthy adults?
Hypothesis
The relaxation techniques of Reiki, meditation
and aromatherapy will have positive effects on
vital signs and perception of well being
compared to placebo among healthy adults.
Background
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Stress is a natural part of daily living and one of the biggest influences in our lives today. The
pressures and demands of twentieth century lifestyle have contributed to ever increasing stress
levels which have been linked as causative factors in conditions such as coronary heart disease
(CAD), cancer (CA), digestive problems and late onset diabetes.1 ‘Fight or flight’ is the body’s
natural spontaneous response to stressful situations. The sympathetic nervous system is induced
by stress to secrete hormones such as adrenaline and epinephrine which physiologically cause
pupil dilation vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, heightened muscle tension, hypertension,
tachycardia and tachypnea. Although these responses are a natural survival reaction, repeated or
prolonged stress can have a negative effect n health and feelings of well-being.
Aromatherapy is the ancient art of using essential oils for use in body massage. They are also for
diluted topical use, compressing or inhalation. The ‘oils’ are the actually the distilled essences of
aromatic flowers, trees, plants, and resins. Some of the essential oils are contraindicated for
certain conditions but well administered aromatherapy oils are safe to use on the majority of the
public. Although lavender is a popular oil used for stress, we will be testing the bronchodilatory
and anxiety reducing properties of Frankincense (Boswelia carteri). Hospital clinical studies with
lavender have shown positive changes in vital signs, pain, anxiety and well-being after
aromatherapy treatments.2,3,4
Meditation techniques focus on balancing the physical body and mind. It is believed these
relaxation techniques originated in the Middle or Far East. A psycho physiological perspective of
meditation is the ‘regulation of attention’.5 Biofeedback studies into relaxation techniques have
shown improvements in many symptoms such as pain, anxiety, stress, depression, daily activities
and blood pressure.6,7
Reiki is a non-invasive and non-manipulative form of hands-on energy healing. Reiki originated in
India and was rediscovered by Dr. Usui who traveled to Tibet in the late 1800’s and learned the
ancient art from the Tibetan monks. Dr. Usui then took Reiki back to Japan where he attuned 14
people. A Healing Center in Hawaii was started in the 1930’s shortly before Dr. Usui’s death.
Reiki is now practiced all over the world and is not associated with any type of religion. Reiki
appears to improve vital signs, assist with pain management and alleviate emotional stress.8,9
Methodology
• The participants will be given an explanation of the research being
conducted and given the opportunity to ask questions. After
obtaining informed consent, the test subjects will draw a participant
number from a container that will be confidential to both subject
and researcher. The participant will then draw from another
container that contains equal numbers of each therapy. The subject
will then be taken into a quiet area and seated in a chair. Probes for
a three lead EKG will be placed on the subject’s chest and
connected to the EKG machine, which will stay on the entire time.
Baseline vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure measured by a cuff
and respiratory rate) and peak flow will be obtained and recorded.
The subject will then observe a stressful short video/slide show,
after which all monitoring parameters will be repeated and
recorded. The subject will then receive their randomly drawn
therapy being either meditation, aromatherapy or Reiki or a placebo
for six minutes. The control placebo will be given to every third
participant of each therapy.
Methodology con’t
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Meditation relaxation therapy, which will begin with the subject
seated in a chair with both feet flat on the floor. The researcher will then
ask the subject to close his/her eyes and place earphones over the subject’s
ears. The subject will then be instructed to take three slow deep breaths
with full inhalation and exhalation. The researcher will then turn on the
recorder and play a six-minute relaxation tape. After the tape has
completed, the researcher will remove the earphones and the subject is
instructed to open his/her eyes. The researcher will then retake and record
all monitoring parameters. The subject will be asked a short verbal
questionnaire regarding their perception of well-being during this event.
The subject will be thanked for his/her participation in the research.
Meditation relaxation placebo, those subjects that receive the placebo
will be seated in a chair with both feet flat on the floor. The researcher will
ask the subject to close his/her eyes and place earphones over the subject’s
ears. The subject then will be instructed to take three slow deep breaths
with full inhalation and exhalation. The subject will then sit quietly with the
earphones on and no sound for six minutes. After six minutes, the
researcher will remove the earphones and retake monitoring parameters.
The subject will be asked a short verbal questionnaire regarding their
perception of well-being during this event. The subject will be thanked for
his/her participation in the research.
Methodology con’t
• Aromatherapy relaxation, will begin with the subject seated in a chair
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with both feet flat on the floor. The researcher will then ask the subject to
close their eyes and take three slow deep breaths with full inhalation and
exhalation. The researcher will then give the subject an unscented Kleenex
tissue that has five drops of Frankincense (Boswelia carterii) essential oil on
it to be inhaled for six minutes. After the six minutes of aromatherapy, the
researcher will remove the tissue, have the subject open his/her eyes and
retake monitoring parameters. The subject will be asked a short verbal
questionnaire regarding their perception of well-being during this event.
The subject will be thanked for his/her participation in the research.
Aromatherapy relaxation placebo, those subjects that receive the
placebo will be seated in a chair with both feet flat on the floor. The
researcher will then ask the subject to close his/her eyes and take three
slow deep breaths with full inhalation and exhalation. The researcher will
give the subject an unscented Kleenex tissue with five drops of the Winter
Ivy essential oil. After six minutes, the researcher will remove the Kleenex
tissue and have the subject open their eyes. All monitoring parameter will
be retaken and recorded at this time. The subject will then be asked a
short verbal questionnaire regarding their perception of well-being during
this event. The subject will be thanked for his/her participation in the
research.
Methodology con’t
• Reiki relaxation therapy, will begin with the subject seated in a chair
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with both feet flat on the floor. The researcher will then ask the subject to
close his/her eyes and then be instructed to take three slow deep breaths
with full inhalation and exhalation. The researcher who is trained Reiki will
give the subject six minutes of Reiki therapy using three positions to include
the head, neck and heart The researcher will end the therapy by placing
his/her hands on the subject’s shoulders. The subject will then be asked to
open his/her eyes and monitoring parameters will be retaken and recorded..
The subject will be asked a short verbal questionnaire regarding their
perception of well-being during this event. The subject will be thanked for
his/her participation in the research.
Reiki relaxation placebo, those subjects that receive placebo Reiki
therapy will be seated in a chair with both feet flat on the floor. The
researcher will then ask the subject to close his/her eyes and take three
slow deep breaths with full inhalation and exhalation. The placebo Reiki
will then be done with just simple hand placement over the three positions
to include the head, neck and heart. After six minutes of placebo Reiki, the
researcher will place his/her hand on the subject’s shoulders. The subject
will then be asked to open his/her eyes and all monitoring parameters will
be retaken and recorded. The subject will then be asked a short
questionnaire regarding their perception of well-being during this event.
The subject will be thanked for his/her participation in the research
Abstract
• Three different relaxation therapies were performed on 14 healthy
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individuals who varied in age, height, weight, and race. Each subject
answered a pre therapy questionnaire which helped to determine their level
of stress. This survey showed that 50% of these individuals felt that they
were under stress before the therapy was performed. The questionnaire
also showed that 50% of the subjects were currently overeating as a form
of stress release, and 58% were having trouble sleeping.
After their therapy was concluded, the individuals were asked to fill out a
post therapy questionnaire. Pre and post data was compared to determine
if the subject felt the relaxation therapy helped improve their sense of well
being or if they suffered any negative effects. Of the 14 subjects, 64% felt
the therapy was beneficial to them, and of these, 57% would consider
adopting relaxation therapy into their daily life. The remaining 36% said
they may or may not have had a positive effect. Of these, 28% said they
may have had a positive effect and would consider using a form of
relaxation therapy in their daily life, while 14% said they were not
interested in any type of relaxation technique at all.
Discussion
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Aroma therapy with the use of Frankinscense as the essential oil, proved to be somewhat effective in increasing
the peak flow of the test subjects. The peak flow volume increased by 2.08 %, the difference of the before and
after therapy. However, the respiratory rate decreased more significantly by 11.1 % overall. Analyzing the data,
some subjects decreased their respiratory rate as much as 50% in the measurement during the therapy. This is
evidence that the test subjects were taking slow, deep breaths. This proves that Frankinscense can be utilized as
a natural bronchodilator. There was a slight increase in the heart rate as indicated by a 3.81% increase and blood
pressure also increase both diatonically showing a 3.56% increase and systolic pressure increasing 4.14%.
However, the percent change in the SPO2 was minimal with a small decrease of 0.41%. There is evidence that
further investigation of Aromatherapy needs to be considered and continued as a viable relaxation program.
Reiki therapy produced different physiological effects with the same measurement parameters. The heart rate
percentage for the test subjects group increased slightly by 4.27%. However, some individuals had a decrease in
heart rate as much as 10.9%. The respiratory rates as a whole increased by 29%, the difference being between
the pre and post therapy. However, individual test subjects showed significant decrease of 44.4%,in the
respiratory rate during the Reiki treatment. Peak flows had a small increase in volume based on the pre and post
measurements taken after the Reiki therapy. Individually, some test subject’s peak flows decreased by 8% while
others had an increase of 14.2% in volume. Diastolic blood pressure in general decreased using the
measurements of before and after Reiki therapy by 4.30% and systolically decreased by 2.85%. The Sp02 did
not change significantly during or after the Reiki therapy with a total before and after decrease of 0.81%.
Meditation therapy demonstrated different physiological effects than the previous two therapies used in this study.
The measurement parameters however did not change from the previous two therapies. Heart rate change
based on the pre and post measurements increased by 6.92%. Individual test subjects however showed an even
smaller increase in the heart rate during the meditation therapy of 5%. Peak flows did not significantly change
for both the total as a group and individually. The change in peak flow was decreased by 0.5%, however, on
some individual subjects there was an increase of 0.5%. Systolic blood pressure measurements dropped by
2.95%.,based on averages before and after treatment. Individually, some test subjects had a drop in systolic
blood pressure of 4.76% based on their before and after therapy measurements. Diastolic blood pressure
increased by 2.64%.
Effects on Heart Rates
90
80
%
Change
70
Reiki
60
4.27
(n5)
50
Aromatherapy
40
(n5)
30
Meditation
3.81
6.92
(n4)
20
10
0
Before
Reiki
During
Aromatherapy
After
Meditation
% Change based on averages of
before and after therapy
Effects on Respiratory Rates
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
RR Before
RR During
RR After
Reiki Aromatherapy Meditation
#
Subjects
%
Change
Reiki
5
29.7
Aromatherapy
5
-11.1
Meditatio
n
4
0
% Change based on averages of
before and after therapy
Effects on Blood Pressure
140
%
Change
Systolic
%
Change
Diastolic
Reiki
-4.3
-2.85
Aromatherapy
4.15
3.56
-2.95
2.65
120
100
80
(n5)
60
40
(n5)
20
0
Meditation
(n4)
BP/Sys/B
Reiki
BP Dias/B
BP/sys/A
Aromatherapy
BP/Dia/A
Meditation
% Change based on averages
Effects on Peak Flow
490
%
Change
485
480
Reiki
475
(n5)
470
2.19
Aromatherapy
465
(n5)
460
2.08
Meditation
455
(n4)
-0.5
450
445
440
Before
Reiki
After
Aromatherapy
Meditation
% Change based on averages of
before and after therapy
Conclusion
• The Aroma, Reiki and meditation therapy showed encouraging
significant responses on the measured parameters of the test
subjects. The greatest changes were noted during the therapy
itself. Reiki and Aroma therapy had the greatest amount of
individual change in measured parameters than meditation therapy
demonstrated as indicated in the recorded measurements. The
parameter measurements of the respiratory rates showed the
greatest decrease with the use of Reiki therapy for some individual
by as much as 44.4%. However, the respiratory rate change as a
whole showed an increase of 29%. Meditation therapy
demonstrated that it was more well known as a relaxation therapy
technique however there was a larger percentage of test subjects
that stated that they had a felt a response from Reiki compared to
the other two methods of relaxation.
Limitations
• Sample population was limited to college
students and faculty and family members.
• Study area was informal and may have
incorporated mild interruptions that may
have affected outcomes.
Recommendations
• Perform further relaxation studies with a
larger sample group.
• Use a more formal setting when
performing further clinical studies.
• Extend research to include more detailed
information regarding vital signs during
therapy.
• Allow longer time period for relaxation
therapy.
Glossary
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GLOSSARY
Adult Onset Diabetes -- the pancreas produces insulin at a higher than normal levels and the body develops resistance to insulin
effects, therefore not enough insulin to meet metabolic needs. Obesity is the chief cause and factor.
Adrenaline – Epinephrine
Attune – (attuned) to adjust or accustom something to become receptive or responsive to something else.
Biofeedback - Involves the use of electronic devices to measure and report information of a person’s biological functions to include
heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension.
Bronchoconstriction – The act or process of decreasing the caliber of a bronchus.
Bronchodilation – The act or process of increasing the caliber of a bronchus.
CAD – Coronary artery disease condition in which blood supply to heart muscle is partially or completely blocked.
Cancer – A new and abnormal growth and disease the natural course of which is fatal
EKG - A measuring device that presents a representation of the electrical current moving through the heart during a heart beat
Emotional distress - A state of emotion or mental status that can participate or alter the
course of physical disease to include heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, sleep patterns, immunological system and the nervous
system. Can cause physical symptoms and illness when no illness is present.
Epinephrine - A hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla that is released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental
stress, as from fear or injury. It initiates many bodily responses, including the stimulation of heart action and an increase in blood
pressure, metabolic rate, and blood glucose concentration.
Also called adrenaline.
Energy healing – Focus on energy fields thought to exist in and around the body – the belief that life force or subtle energy resides
in and around the body.
Essential oils – Constituting the necessary or inherent part of a thing. Giving substance necessary and peculiar qualities. (essential
only).
Hypertension - Abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries regardless of cause. A state of physiological stress.
Relaxation -The state of being free from tension and anxiety
Stress - A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or
tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.
Tachycardia – Abnormally high heart rate.
TachypneaAbnormally high respiratory rates
Topical - The direct application of a substance to a part of the body commonly the skin.
Vasoconstriction – The diminution of the caliber of vessels, especially the constriction of arterioles leading to decreased blood flow to a
body part.
Vital signs The measurement of heart rate in beats per minute, respiratory rate in breaths per minute, blood pressure
and peak flow.
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References
1. Westwood, C. (1993). Aromatherapy: stress management. Dorset: Amberwood
Publishing Ltd
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the use of aromatherapy, massage and periods of rest in an intensive care unit. Journal
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4. Kim, M. J., et. al. (2005). The effects of aromatherapy on pain, depression, and life
satisfaction of arthritis patients. Taehan kanho hakhoe chi. (35)1, 186-94
Retrieved from Pubmed database September 2, 2005
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6. Buckalew, S. P., et. al. (1998). Biofeedback/relaxation training and exercise
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8. DiNucci, E. M. (2005). Energy healing. Orthopaedic nursing, Vol 24 issue 4
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