The effects of Reiki and hand massage on pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

•Reiki practice and hand massage decreased the pain and fatigue with rheumatoid arthritis patients.•It can be recommended to the clinical nurses to include the hand massage and Reiki applications in the pain and fatigue relieving intervention preferences.•Hand massage and Reiki practice are very important in reducing the pain and fatigue of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis in providing holistic nursing care. The present study was conducted in order to determine the effects of Reiki and hand massage on the pain and fatigue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This study having a randomized controlled experimental design was carried out involving 105 individuals (35 in Reiki, 37 in hand massage, and 33 in control). Study data were collected between July 2020 and December 2021 by using a personal information form, Visual Analog Scale, and Piper Fatigue Scale. The mean pain score and the fatigue severity of patients decreased after Reiki and hand massage interventions and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p