研究靈氣的存在對於當代科學來說是有侷限性的，誠如本文所述，現今科技尚無法記錄能量場的存在，更別說研究組成或是紀錄它的變化。
但因為靈氣能確實減緩患者在臨床上所受到的痛苦，故美國國立衛生研究院（NIH）的輔助和綜合健康國家中心（NCCIH）已完成五項針對靈氣如何造福糖尿病、愛滋病晚期、前列腺癌、纖維肌痛的患者和壓力的研究，足見靈氣的有效性。
而靈氣在許多工作場所健康計畫中越來越常見，在保健或其他行業像是大學健康中心裡，來處理工作倦怠及其改善技巧。
一篇用研究角度深入靈氣的醫學文章，與您分享
What Does the Research Say about Reiki?
靈氣的研究裡說些什麼？
In order for physicians and other healthcare practitioners to recommend a treatment or healing practice to patients, they need evidence that it is safe and effective. With respect to safety, there have been no reported negative effects from Reiki in any of the research studies. This is understandable given that no substance is ingested or applied to the skin, and Reiki touch is non-manipulative (and can be offered off the body when needed).
為了讓醫生和其他醫療保健從業者推薦給患者一個治療或療程，他們需要證據證明它是安全有效的。關於安全性，在任何的研究文獻中沒有找到任何關於靈氣的負面影響。這是能理解的，因為不需吃藥或塗什麼東西到皮膚上，而靈氣的碰觸是非操縱性的（必要時可選擇不要碰觸）。
That leaves the question: is Reiki effective? Or more precisely, from a research perspective, what is Reiki effective for?
他留下了一個問題：靈氣是有效的嗎? 或者更精確的說，從研究的觀點看，靈氣對什麼有效?
A Reiki practitioner would answer that question by saying, "Reiki is effective for restoring balance, which can show up in a number of ways, depending on the current need of the individual." That's not an answer that appeals to medical researchers, who are used to studying treatments for specific illnesses rather than treatments to promote wellness or restore balance.
靈氣執行師會回答這個問題時會說，“靈氣可有效的恢復平衡，它可以顯現在許多方面，這取決於個人當下的需求”。這對於常常研究特定疾病療程，而不是促進健康或修復平衡療程的醫學研究者而言，不是個答案。
Respected medical research is designed to address very specific questions. Although conventional medicine has long included a concept of homeostasis, or systemic balance, there has historically been no clear definition of this concept that can be used to test the hypothesis that Reiki promotes balance. Given the vagueness of the term stress and the differences in human bodies and the circumstances in which they live and function, how would science measure an individual's balance?
醫學研究通常是用來處理特定的問題。儘管傳統的藥物已經有了體內和諧或系統平衡的概念，歷來並沒有一個清楚的定義或概念來驗證靈氣是否能促進身體平衡。使長期壓力對人體運作的情形一個模糊的概念，科學要如何測量某人體內的平衡?
In view of the research dilemma posed by the ambiguity of the term stress, brain researcher Bruce McEwen of Rockefeller University has proposed a new model using the terms allostasis/allostatic load. Allostasis refers to the body's attempt to protect itself and regain homeostasis, and allostatic load refers to the damage that accumulates when those attempts are poorly managed and the stress response runs amuck.
由於長期壓力的定義不明確造成研究上的困境，洛克菲勒大學腦部研究專家布魯斯·麥克尤恩提出一種新的名詞身體調適負荷，身體調適意即身體會嘗試保護自己回復體內平衡狀態，而身體調適負荷指人體承受壓力時，身體能量減弱使得人體的傷害累積。
Besides helping people recognize the difference between useful and harmful stress and how to reduce the latter, McEwen's model puts forth a series of measurements that researchers can use to determine both the effect of stress on the system and the response to stress-reducing modalities. Reiki has not yet been studied in this way.
除了幫助人們認識有用和有害的壓力，及如何減少後者的影響外，麥克尤恩提出一系列的測量方式讓研究者可確認兩種壓力對系統的影響和對減壓方法的反應。靈氣尚未以這種方式被研究過。
To date, the primary outcomes studied in Reiki resarch have used measures for pain, anxiety, and stress, including heart rate, blood pressure, salivary cortisol, as well as measures for job burnout and caring efficacy. More specific measures have been used to evaluate outcomes for stroke rehabilitation, depression, and other chronic health conditions. Given the relatively subtle and complex nature of Reiki practice, these measures may not adequately capture the lived experience of those receiving Reiki. Measures that incorporate quality of life, patient satisfaction, and stress reduction may have the greatest potential for demonstrating the benefits of Reiki practice.
到目前為止，對靈氣的主要研究結果都是拿來測量痛苦、焦慮、壓力，包括心率、血壓、唾液皮質醇（salivary cortisol）和工作倦怠與關懷效能。更具體的辦法已經用於評估中風康復，憂鬱症，和其他慢性健康狀況的結果。鑑於靈氣實施的相對隱蔽性和複雜性，這些方法可能不足以捕捉那些接受靈氣者的生活經驗。但卻能測量到生活品質的一部份，像是病人滿意度和減少壓力的方法，讓靈氣實施的益處有了巨大的潛力。
What are some of the other issues in researching Reiki?
在靈氣研究上有什麼其他的問題?
Studying modalities such as Reiki brings up other questions. The randomized controlled trial is well suited to studying the impact of pharmaceutical products (although recent developments have shown that even this line of inquiry can be manipulated).
靈氣的研究方法帶來其他的問題。隨機對照試驗非常適合拿來研究醫藥產品的影響(儘管最近的發展顯示出即使是這種研究方法也可以被操縱)。
But is the linear simplicity of the randomized controlled trial well suited to studying therapies that clearly elicit complex, multileveled, rapid and lasting responses such as is seen with Reiki? Many respected researchers think not, and a dialogue about how best to study Reiki and other integrative therapies and healing practices has begun. Systems theory is increasingly seen as providing a more viable approach to study the web of interactions involved in integrative therapies. Qualitative research may also provide a broader lens in generating relevant data.
但是，隨機對照試驗的簡單線性真的適合拿來研究像是靈氣這種會引起複雜、多層級、快速且持久反應的療法嗎？許多令人敬重的研究人員認為沒有，一個關於如何最好地研究靈氣和其他綜合療法和療癒措施的討論已經開始。系統理論越來越被看作是提供一個更可行的方法來學習與之相關的綜合療法相互作用的網絡。定性研究也能提供收集相關數據更廣闊的鏡頭。
A unique confounding variable in Reiki research is controlling for the effects of human touch. Do Reiki recipients have improved outcomes because they have received sustained human touch? Furthermore, how do you create a placebo standard for a hands-on healing technique? In 1999, placebo standardization was introduced into Reiki research, demonstrating that study participants couldn't differentiate between the identity of placebo and Reiki practitioners. The addition of a placebo arm in Reiki research strengthens study design and addresses the confounding variable of human touch.
在靈氣研究中有一個獨特的變數就是控制人體觸碰的影響。靈氣接受者的情況有所改善是因為他們接受了長時間的人體碰觸嗎?更重要的是，要如何為一個實用的療癒技巧創造一個安慰劑標準?在1999年，靈氣研究中開始引入安慰劑標準化，證明參與研究的人無法辨別安慰劑組和靈氣從業者之間的差別。在靈氣研究中增加了一個安慰劑組來加強研究設計和處理人體觸碰的變數。
Another obstacle to Reiki research is the inability of contemporary technology to document the existence of the biofield, much less study its makeup or measure changes in it. Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) measure extremely small magnetic fields and may in the future prove useful to this study. The speed with which technological advances are being made may mean that the needed technology is on the brink of development. However, it is also possible that Reiki or biofields lie outside the bioelectromagnetic spectrum.
在靈氣研究的另一個障礙是當代科技的無法記錄能量場的存在，更別說研究組成或是紀錄它的變化。超導量子干涉器件(SQUIDs)可測量非常小的磁場，也許在將來能證明對這項研究是有用的。目前科技進步的速度可能意味著所需的技術已在發展的邊緣。但是，也有可能是靈氣或能量場位於所述能量電磁頻譜之外。
Fortunately, it is not necessary for science to document the existence of either Reiki or the biofield in order to measure the impact of Reiki on the human system (aspirin was used for 70 years before science began to understand how it works). Although some effects of Reiki are measurable, such as improved heart rate and blood pressure, many commonly reported benefits of repeated Reiki sessions, such as a sense of spiritual connection and enhanced self-esteem, may not be quantifiable. It is still important to document these reported benefits.
幸好，只要測量靈氣對人體系統的影響，紀錄靈氣或能量場存在的技術便不是那麼必要了（阿斯匹靈在科學開始去瞭解它是如何作用的70年前就已被使用了）。儘管有些靈氣的影響是可被測量的，像是心率和血壓。許多報告也常常說反覆接受靈氣也有像是心靈連結和提高自尊的好處，這些也許無法被量化，但這些好處仍然值得被記錄和報導。
Patients who feel more spiritually connected and who simply feel better about themselves may well be patients who are easier to treat and who are better equipped to follow treatment protocols. In this way, Reiki might be shown to significantly, albeit indirectly, impact medical outcomes by supporting the ability of patients to access conventional medicine and gain a heightened awareness of their own needs.
有些病人感到更加精神連結，而有些是自我感覺良好，其他的病人更加容易治療或能更好的遵循療程。透過這種方式，靈氣能透過支持患者進入傳統醫學，並得到提高認識自己所需的能力來顯著的證明可以影響到醫療結果(儘管是不直接的)。
What is the status of the research?
研究的現況如何？
While the debate on how best to study integrative therapies such as Reiki is gaining steam, research attempts have been and continue to be made. Nonetheless, research into Reiki is just beginning. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has completed five studies looking at Reiki's ability to benefit people with diabetes, advanced AIDS, prostate cancer, fibromyalgia, and stress.
雖然對於如何更好的研究綜合療法像是靈氣的討論正白熱化，研究的嘗試仍繼續進行。儘管如此，對靈氣的研究才正要展開。美國國立衛生研究院（NIH）的輔助和綜合健康國家中心（NCCIH）已完成五項針對靈氣如何造福糖尿病、愛滋病晚期、前列腺癌、纖維肌痛的患者和壓力的研究。
Other published studies have looked at the effect of Reiki on measures of stress hormones, blood pressure, heart rate, and immune responsivity, and on subjective reports of anxiety, pain and depression. The studies to date are typically small, and not every study is well designed. However, overlapping data from some of the stronger studies support the ability of Reiki to reduce anxiety and pain, and suggest its usefulness to induce relaxation, improve fatigue and depressive symptoms, and strengthen overall wellbeing. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews contains a review on the use of touch therapies (including Reiki) for pain and a protocol for use of Reiki for psychological symptoms.
其他已發表，測量靈氣對壓力賀爾蒙、血壓、心律、免疫反應的影響的研究，和個人關於焦慮，痛苦和憂鬱等主觀影響的報告。這些最新研究通常規模不大，而且設計得不是很好。然而，有些較強的研究重複出現靈氣可以減少焦慮和痛苦的數據，且有舒壓，改善疲勞和沮喪症狀及增進整體健康的功效。系統性文獻回顧資料庫包含了靈氣等觸摸療法對疼痛和對心理症狀使用靈氣療程的評論。
Reiki has been increasingly offered as part of workplace wellness programs to address burnout and improve skills in healthcare and other industries, as well as in university wellness centers.
靈氣在許多工作場所健康計畫中越來越常見，在保健或其他行業像是大學健康中心裡，來處理工作倦怠及其改善技巧。
(20161226 post on Blog)
