Reiki (Laying on of Hands) Improves Behavioral Changes and Modulates Hippocampus Gene Expression Related to Inflammation and Oxidative Markers in Stressed Mice

Introduction: Reiki (rei means universal, and ki, vital energy) is a complementary/ alternative therapy practiced through the laying on of hands and was introduced by Mikao Usui based on Sanskrit texts at the end of the nineteenth century.Reiki principles state that everything in the universe consists of energy, including the human body, and changes in this energy can lead mankind to diseases.Nowadays anxiety and stress are highly prevalent in the world and cause changes in concentration, memory, and cognition.Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of reiki on induced-stress animals by paw shocks, investigating its role in behavioral and brain inflammatory actions.Method: 12-week-old male Swiss mice were divided into five groups: control, reiki control, stress, stress + glove control, and stress + reiki.Data analysis was blinded.Results: Mice treated with reiki had behavioral improvement, modulating mobility, and decreasing stress compared to untreated mice.These findings were associated with the hippocampal gene expression of the brain inflammasome pathway, in which the Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NRLP3) genes and the antioxidant catalase were altered.Conclusion: The present study indicates that stressed mice by paw shocks treated with reiki present improved locomotor activity.In addition, reiki modulated inflammation-related gene expression by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome and reducing the action of catalase.