REPERCUSSIONS OF PERSONAL CARE REIKI-MEDIATED ON FAMILY OF CHILDREN WITH SICKLE DISEASE

Abstract

Aim: To describe the repercussions of transpersonal care mediated by Reiki on family members of children with sickle cell disease. Material and Method: Convergent Assistance research, based on Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Care, carried out in the city of Bahia, Brazil, between August and October 2016, where seven relatives of children with sickle cell disease received Reiki therapy for 40 minutes for six consecutive weeks; and responded to semi-structured interviews before and after the sessions. Results: The participants perceived benefits related to the reduction of symptoms such as headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, cramps, body tremors, constipation and diarrhea; other effects were on the self, such as reducing stress and anxiety, connecting with God and renewing faith, practicing healthy habits, improving sociability, increasing self- esteem, improving lapses in recent memory and seeking balance and peace; there were also effects on the interaction with the child, relationships with family members and elimination of the thought of abandoning the home. Conclusions: Transpersonal care mediated by Reiki can be used for prevention, rehabilitation and palliative care. It gathers theoretical-methodological content to be included in the work process of the nursing team. The Theory of Human Care in conjunction with integrative and complementary care practices from health can make Nursing distance from the technical model and broad autonomy of the nurse to make decisions to care for families in chronic illness processes.