# Reiki as a tool to enhance care from the perspective of complexity: a qualitative study

## TL;DR

This study explores how Reiki, a complementary therapy, helps nurses improve their well-being and care practices by managing daily uncertainties and stress.

## Contribution

The study introduces Reiki as a novel tool within the complexity framework to enhance nursing care and professional well-being.

## Key findings

- Reiki improved nurses' self-awareness and emotional well-being, leading to better coping strategies.
- Participants reported healthier lifestyles, including better sleep and increased physical activity.
- Reiki supported nurses in adapting to the dynamic processes of order, disorder, and reorganization in their work.

## Abstract

to describe the contributions of Reiki as a tool to enhance care.

exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study grounded in the Complexity framework. Ten nurses from a 24-hour Primary Health Care Unit in southern Brazil participated. Data were collected between April and August 2022 through individual semi-structured interviews after each participant received five Reiki sessions. Thematic content analysis was used.

Reiki promoted changes in nurses’ feelings, self-knowledge, and self-awareness, which were reflected in altered behaviors and attitudes when facing daily uncertainties. Participants reported new ways of (co)existing and engaging with order, disorder, and reorganization processes. These changes contributed to healthier eating, improved sleep quality, greater disposition and energy for daily tasks, and the adoption of regular physical activity.

Reiki proved to be a tool that enhances complex care and supports health and nursing professionals in coping with the disorders experienced in daily life.

descrever as contribuições da aplicação do Reiki como ferramenta potencializadora de cuidado.

pesquisa exploratória, descritiva, qualitativa, com aplicação do referencial teórico-conceitual da complexidade, desenvolvida com dez enfermeiros de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde 24h no Sul do Brasil. Os dados foram coletados entre abril e agosto de 2022, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada individual, após cada participante receber cinco sessões de Reiki. Aplicou-se análise de conteúdo temática aos dados.

o Reiki contribuiu com alterações nos sentimentos, no autoconhecimento e autoconsciência dos enfermeiros, refletidas em alteração de comportamento/postura no enfrentamento das incertezas cotidianas e novas formas de (con)viver e lidar com processos de ordem-desordem-reorganização. Isso resultou em alimentação adequada, qualidade do sono, disposição e energia para realizar ações cotidianas, e prática de atividades físicas regulares.

o Reiki mostra-se como ferramenta potencializadora do cuidado complexo que auxilia no enfrentamento das desordens vivenciadas no cotidiano dos profissionais de saúde/enfermagem.