In a world where many are seeking complementary approaches to healthcare, Reiki has emerged as a popular energy-based therapy. But what does science actually tell us about its effectiveness? This article examines the latest research and clinical evidence supporting Reiki as a complementary therapy for various conditions.
What is reiki?
Reiki, which translates to "universal life force energy," is a gentle, non-invasive energy healing technique that originated in Japan. During a Reiki session, practitioners place their hands either lightly on or just above the recipient's body to facilitate the flow of energy, helping to rebalance the body's biofield at a vibrational level.
Unlike conventional medical treatments, Reiki aims to support the body's natural healing processes by addressing imbalances in the energy fields that surround and penetrate the physical body. This approach is similar to other energy-based practices such as Touch for Health and Pranic Healing.
The current state of reiki research
As of July 2024, there are 140 Reiki research papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, according to the Center for Reiki Research. While many are smaller pilot studies, there's a growing body of larger clinical trials providing stronger evidence for Reiki's effectiveness.
What the research shows
Multiple clinical trials and literature reviews suggest Reiki may be beneficial for:
- Pain reduction scross various conditions
- Anxiety and stress management
- Improved relaxation and wellbeing
- Reduced fatigue and burnout
- Alleviating depressive symptoms
The scientific community is increasingly recognising Reiki's potential, with four published literature reviews concluding there is sufficient evidence that Reiki is more effective than placebo for reducing pain and anxiety.
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Clinical evidence for specific conditions
Research into Reiki has examined its effects on various health conditions, with several well-designed studies showing promising results.
Fibromyalgia management
A study published in 2023 from Turkey (Gökdere Çinar et al.) titled "Evaluation of the Impacts of Reiki Touch Therapy on Patients Diagnosed With Fibromyalgia Who Are Followed in the Pain Clinic" provides compelling evidence for Reiki's effectiveness in managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
The double-blind clinical trial involved 50 patients, with half receiving genuine Reiki treatments and half receiving sham Reiki. The findings were significant:
- Patients receiving actual Reiki reported substantially less pain by the second and fourth weeks
- Improvements were noted in physical function, energy levels, and pain subscales
- Mental health showed marked improvement
- State and trait anxiety levels decreased significantly
These results are particularly important as conventional treatments for fibromyalgia often involve antidepressants, which can cause unwanted side effects such as constipation, dizziness, nausea, and vision problems.
Cancer care: anxiety and pain management
A study published in 2012 conducted by Birocco et al. (titled "The Effects of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Patients Attending a Day Oncology and Infusion Services Unit") at a university hospital in Torino, Italy, examined how Reiki affects pain and anxiety levels in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
The study involved 118 cancer patients at various stages of treatment, with remarkable results:
- For patients who completed four Reiki sessions, anxiety scores decreased from 6.77 to 2.28
- Pain scores reduced from 4.4 to 2.32
- Participants reported improvements in relaxation, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing
More recent research from 2020 (Buyukbayram & Saritas) confirms these findings, showing that Reiki can effectively reduce both pain and fatigue in oncology patients.
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Depression and stress: long-term benefits
Dr. Adina Goldman Shore's 2004 study (published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine) on the long-term effects of energy healing for depression and stress demonstrated Reiki's lasting impact. The study divided 46 participants into three groups: hands-on Reiki, distant Reiki, and a placebo control group.
Key findings included:
- Participants receiving both hands-on and remote Reiki experienced significantly lower levels of stress, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms
- Benefits were maintained when participants were retested a year later
This suggests that Reiki can produce enduring effects when used either alone or alongside other therapies for depression and stress.
Recent large-scale research
A landmark study published in 2019 in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (Dyer, Baldwin & Rand, 2019) conducted a large-scale effectiveness trial involving 99 Reiki practitioners across the United States. This multi-site research demonstrated that even a single Reiki session could significantly improve multiple variables related to physical and psychological health.
What this means for healthcare
Based on the growing body of research, there's compelling evidence that Reiki can be an effective complementary therapy for:
- Pain management in various conditions, including fibromyalgia and cancer treatment
- Anxiety reduction in clinical settings
- Stress relief with demonstrated long-term benefits
- Support for conventional medical treatments
- Overall wellbeing improvement
Despite this evidence, many conventional medical professionals remain sceptical. However, as the UK Reiki Federation notes, "Through successful, scientifically robust, large-scale clinical trials will the decision-makers at top scientific and medical institutions be convinced to support the widespread use of Reiki in hospitals, clinics, and hospices."
The role of personal experience and belief
It's worth noting that across all these studies, participants willingly agreed to receive Reiki healing. Some researchers suggest that scepticism might reduce the effectiveness of the treatment, as Reiki works with the body's energy. Being open to receiving healing energy appears to enhance outcomes.
The future of reiki in healthcare
As more robust research emerges, the integration of Reiki into clinical settings seems increasingly promising. Many patients are already turning to Reiki and other energy medicine therapies to address their healthcare needs—often without discussing these approaches with their conventional doctors.
With the momentum of positive research findings, perhaps the time has come to more seriously consider how Reiki might complement traditional medical care, potentially improving outcomes for patients dealing with both chronic and acute conditions.
As we move toward more holistic healthcare models, Reiki offers a non-invasive, gentle approach that works alongside conventional treatments—potentially providing relief where standard approaches alone have fallen short.
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