135EFFECTIVENESS OF REIKI THERAPY ON DEPRESSION AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE IN A SELECTED VILLAGE AT THIRUVALLUR DISTRICTThe aim of the study was to assess the effect of reiki therapy on depression among elderly people in a selected village at Thiruvallur district. As a result of chronic illness, loss of loved one and economic problem, most of the elderly people were affected by depression. Early diagnosis and interventions can minimize the effects of depression. Pre experimental one group pretest and posttest design. The setting selected for the study was Anaikattucheri village, Thiruvallur district. The sample selected for the study were elderly people with depression residing in Anaikattucheri village, Thiruvallur district., who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The sample size was 30.The sampling technique used for selecting participants was purposive sampling technique. There was a statistically significant decrease in the level of depression among elderly people in the posttest with paired t test value of 17.47 at p < 0.001. There was a statistically significant association between the demographic variables, such as age, gender, occupational status, source of income and duration of medical illness and the level of depression in the posttest at p< 0.05 respectively. This study concludes that the practices of reiki therapy enhances the positive thoughts and strengthen the energy vibrations in elderly people with depression.punibalaji@gmail.comResearch492014Reiki therapy,Depression,elderly peoplePunitha S,Neelakshi G Student (MSN), College of Nursing, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India., Professor (MSN), College of Nursing, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.