To determine if Reiki is an effective method for treating pain a pilot study was carried out where a certified second degree Reiki therapist provided treatment on volunteers Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale VAS immediately before and after the Reiki treatment Olson Hanson 1997 and the data for a random sample of volunteers were recorded The VAS readings before the Reiki treatment had a mean of 3 15 and a standard deviation of 2 19 and VAS readings after the Reiki treatment had a mean of 2 83 and a standard deviation of 2 09 Which of the following statements best compares the means Select an answer Which of the following statements best compares the standard deviations Select an answer The VAS readings before the Reiki treatment had a higher average than the VAS readings after the Reiki treatment The VAS readings before the Reiki treatment had a lower average than the VAS readings after the Reiki treatment The middle of the VAS readings before the Reiki treatment was higher than the middle of the VAS readings after the Reiki treatment The middle of the VAS readings before the Reiki treatment was lower than the middle of the VAS readings after the Reiki treatment The VAS readings before the Reiki treatment were more consistent than the VAS readings after the Reiki treatment The VAS readings before the Reiki treatment were less consistent than the VAS readings after the Reiki treatment