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Internet-based Reiki for Tinnitus 2021

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
 
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04988399
Recruitment Status : Withdrawn (Withdrawn prior to Einstein IRB approval)
First Posted : August 3, 2021
Last Update Posted : May 31, 2023
Sponsor:
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Montefiore Medical Center

Brief Summary:
The objectives of the study will be 1) to develop and show the feasibility of an internet-based Reiki therapy as an intervention for tinnitus, 2) to deliver Reiki therapy for tinnitus as a potential treatment, 3) to maintain a meaningful cohort of participants over a 6-month protocol, and 4) to collect pilot data on the potential benefit of internet-based Reiki therapy on tinnitus-related quality of life. Patients will also be provided with information on other potential tinnitus therapies.

Condition or disease Intervention/treatment Phase
Tinnitus Other: Reiki Not Applicable

Detailed Description:

Reiki is a wellness practice of energy healing that began in Japan and is now practiced throughout the world. The principle of Reiki is that everything in the universe consists of energy including the human body, and deviations of this energy can lead to disease. Reiki does not have a religious doctrine and is accepted by people of all backgrounds and belief systems. Reiki is considered by practitioners to be a great tool for stress reduction and relaxation (International Association of Reiki Practitioners).

Many people use Reiki for wellness. Reiki is not a cure for a disease or illness, but it may assist the body in creating an environment to facilitate healing. According to the Center for Reiki Research, Reiki is an effective approach for reducing pain, depression, and anxiety. Tinnitus is a pain percept, and it is likely Reiki may reduce pain and anxiety in patients with tinnitus.

The aims of the study are to show the feasibility of an internet-based Reiki therapy as an intervention for tinnitus. Home based therapy can reduce the stress of receiving therapy in an unfamiliar environment. Home-based therapy can also allow the participants to regain more control their surroundings, making them more likely to benefit from relaxation and stress relief benefits of Reiki.

Specific Aim 1: The first aim is to show that our Reiki therapy can be delivered to tinnitus patients on an internet-based platform This aim will be achieved if the investigators can recruit patients into the study and deliver internet-based therapy over the 6 months of the protocol while retaining a meaningful 30 percent of our cohort.

Specific Aim 2: The second aim is to show that participants perceive a benefit from the therapy protocol. This aim will be studied by retaining a meaningful cohort of participants and by analyzing data from the questionnaire results for the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) before treatment, at 3 months and after 6 months of treatment and comparing them to the participants' baseline questionnaires. Data from the questionnaires will be used to determine sample size needed for a larger blinded control study.

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Study Type : Interventional  (Clinical Trial)
Actual Enrollment : 0 participants
Allocation: N/A
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: Feasibility of Internet-based Reiki as an Intervention for Tinnitus
Estimated Study Start Date : June 1, 2023
Estimated Primary Completion Date : June 30, 2024
Estimated Study Completion Date : July 31, 2024

Resource links provided by the National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus related topics: Tinnitus

Arm Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Reiki Recipients
The Practitioner enters a gassho (two hands coming together at the heart) meditative state with the Distance Symbol. Reiji-ho - moving the joined hands until the thumbs touch the space between the brows. Going into a relaxed state by using a breathing technique. Say the person's name three times. Proceed with byosen (method using the sensitivity in the hands to treat those areas in need of Reiki) scanning technique. Chiryo (standard session visualizing all hand positions) for 5 minutes each: Jawbone-Back of the head-Throat-Lungs-Area of participant's concern-Stomach-Intestines-Kidneys-Spinal cord. At the end of the session, visualize towards the participant's feet to help integrate the healing. Visualize brushing the Biomagnetic field around the participant's body from head to feet. Inform the participant that the session has been completed. Include time to rest quietly for a few minutes. Encourage participant to sip water (if they prefer) and ask them about their experience.
Other: Reiki
Reiki is a wellness practice of energy healing that began in Japan and is now practiced throughout the world. The principle of Reiki is that everything in the universe consists of energy including the human body, and deviations of this energy can lead to disease (Doğan 2018). Reiki does not have a religious doctrine and is accepted by people of all backgrounds and belief systems (McManus, 2017, p. 1056). Reiki is considered by practitioners to be a great tool for stress reduction and relaxation (International Association of Reiki Practitioners). Many people use Reiki for wellness. Reiki is not a cure for a disease or illness, but it may assist the body in creating an environment to facilitate healing. According to the Center for Reiki Research, Reiki is an effective approach for reducing pain, depression, and anxiety. Tinnitus is a pain percept, and it is likely Reiki may reduce pain and anxiety in patients with tinnitus.




Primary Outcome Measures :
  1. Reported Tinnitus Relief [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
    Change from baseline after Reiki treatment for tinnitus sufferers. Reduced stress in tinnitus sufferers seen as changes of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory or Tinnitus Functional Index. Maximum possible score = 250 if the respondent were to rate all 25 TFI items at the maximum value of 10.



Information from the National Library of Medicine

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.


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Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years and older   (Adult, Older Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • English or Spanish speaking patients with unilateral or bilateral tinnitus

Exclusion Criteria:

  • People under the age of 18
  • People without internet access

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04988399


Locations
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United States, New York
Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, New York, United States, 10467
Sponsors and Collaborators
Montefiore Medical Center
Investigators
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Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Dinces, MD Montefiore Medical Center
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Responsible Party: Montefiore Medical Center
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04988399    
Other Study ID Numbers: 2021-12737
First Posted: August 3, 2021    Key Record Dates
Last Update Posted: May 31, 2023
Last Verified: May 2023
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
Plan to Share IPD: No

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Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No
Keywords provided by Montefiore Medical Center:
Tinnitus
Reiki
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
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Tinnitus
Hearing Disorders
Ear Diseases
Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
Sensation Disorders
Neurologic Manifestations
Nervous System Diseases