Research Documents the Benefits of Reiki Therapy

Research demonstrates the clinical evidence for Reiki Therapy.  In fact, if you had searched for the word “Reiki” in the biomedical literature as of the date of this post, you would have found 259 research studies cited.  Following is a limited sampling of some the beneficial outcomes documented in research studies that have used Reiki Therapy as a treatment intervention.

Most notable, there have been NO negative side effects or risks identified in any of the research studies on Reiki Therapy.  Reiki is non-invasive and has been classified as a “very low risk intervention.”  A recent study determined that Reiki Therapy was safe even for newborns.[1]

A number of studies have focused on assessing the use of Reiki to mitigate the physical and emotional side effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment. To date, studies focused in the area of oncology have consistently measured these statistically significant outcomes following Reiki Therapy:

• Reduced anxiety [2]
• Lessened fatigue [3]
• Improved quality of life [4]
• Lower level of pain [5]
• Increased relaxation [6]

In the medical/surgical arena, Reiki Therapy has been used as a treatment pre and post-surgery and for chronic medical conditions and pain.  These studies include measuring outcomes with Reiki Therapy as an intervention for knee replacement surgery[7], cesarean sections[8], hysterectomies[9], colonoscopies[10]; following an acute coronary syndrome event[11]; as well as for those receiving hemodialysis[12] and those with HIV[13].  Some of the statistically significant outcomes documented by these research studies include:

• Lower level of pain
• Reduced anxiety
• Lower heart rate, blood pressure
• Improved mood
• Lower amount of analgesic used post-surgery
• Lessened fatigue
• Lower level of depression
• Reduced stress

In 20 years as a Reiki Therapy practitioner, I have observed first-hand how my clients often report experiencing such benefits.  And due to the beneficial outcomes that have been shown, almost every study concludes that more research should be done on Reiki Therapy.  However research funding is lacking to do the larger, more standardized studies that would be required to further substantiate the effectiveness of this gentle therapy.

[1] Safety of Reiki Therapy for Newborns at Risk for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Radziewicz RM1, Wright-Esber S, Zupancic J, Gargiulo D, Woodall P. 2018

[2] The effects of Reiki Therapy on pain and anxiety in patients attending a day Oncology and Infusion Services Unit.

Birocco N, Guillame C, Storto S, Ritorto G, Catino C, Gir N, Balestra L, Tealdi G, Orecchia C, Vito GD, Giaretto L, Donadio M, Bertetto O, Schena M, Ciuffreda. 2012

[3] Pilot crossover trial of Reiki versus rest for treating cancer-related fatigue. Tsang KL, Carlson LE, Olson K. 2007

[4] The effect of Reiki therapy on quality of life of patients with blood cancer: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Alarcao, Z. and Fonseca, J. 2016

[5] A phase II trial of Reiki for the management of pain in advanced cancer patients. Olson K, Hanson J, Michaud M. 2003

[6] Integrative Reiki for cancer patients: a program evaluation. Fleisher KA, Mackenzie ER, Frankel ES, Seluzicki C, Casarett D, Mao JJ. 2014

[7] Effects of Reiki on Pain, Anxiety, and Blood Pressure in Patients Undergoing Knee Replacement: A Pilot Study.

Baldwin AL, Vitale A, Brownell E, Kryak E, Rand W. 2017

[8] Effects of Reiki on Pain and Vital Signs When Applied to the Incision Area of the Body After Cesarean Section Surgery: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Double-Controlled Study. Sagkal Midilli T, Ciray Gunduzoglu N. 2016

[9] The effect of Reiki on pain and anxiety in women with abdominal hysterectomies: a quasi-experimental pilot study. Vitale AT,  O’ConnornPC. 2006

[10] Reiki as a pain management adjunct in screening colonoscopy. Bourque AL, Sullivan ME, Winter MR, 2012

[11] Effects of Reiki on autonomic activity early after acute coronary syndrome. Friedman RS, Burg MM, Miles P, Lee F, Lampert R. 2010

[12] Reiki for Pain during Hemodialysis: A Feasibility and Instrument Evaluation Study. Zins S, Hooke MC, Gross CR.

2018

[13] Effects of Reiki With Music Compared to Music Only Among People Living With HIV. Bremner MN, Blake BJ, Wagner VD, Pearcey SM. 2016