- Reiki research studies
- Related hands-on and biofield research
- Further research
Reiki StudiesThe following are links to various Reiki studies completed and showing evidence of some of the advantages of receiving Reiki. |
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| Explore published research into Reiki and related hands-on and biofield therapies, including studies investigating pain, anxiety, fatigue, wellbeing and other outcomes. This page provides summaries of selected studies, with links to the original research where available. | |
About the Research
Research into Reiki and related complementary therapies is continuing. Studies vary considerably in their design, sample size, treatment methods and outcomes, so their findings need to be considered in context.
The studies below provide a starting point for exploring the research. They include investigations into Reiki itself, as well as related approaches such as Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch and massage. Findings from one therapy should not automatically be assumed to apply to another.
Where possible, we link to the original publication so that you can review the study’s methods, results and conclusions for yourselves. The inclusion of a study does not necessarily mean that JRUKA endorses all of its findings or that Reiki has been established as an effective treatment for a particular medical condition.
Research into Reiki is growing, with studies investigating its potential effects on quality of life, pain, anxiety and wellbeing. This page brings together published research into Reiki, alongside studies of related therapies that may provide additional scientific context. We distinguish between research specifically investigating Reiki and research into other approaches.
Reiki Research Studies
The following studies investigate Reiki directly, including its use alongside conventional care and its potential effects on symptoms such as pain, anxiety and fatigue.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Effects of Reiki therapy on quality of life: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
What the study investigated
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of Reiki therapy on quality of life. The researchers reviewed randomised controlled trials involving 661 participants aged 14 and above, from a range of populations including people with cancer, surgical patients, people with chronic illnesses and healthy individuals.
What the researchers reported
The meta-analysis found a statistically significant improvement in quality of life following Reiki therapy (SMD = 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.01–0.56, P = 0.043).
The researchers also reported that subgroup analyses suggested improvements were associated with different treatment frequencies and session durations.
Research context
This study is particularly relevant because it examines Reiki directly rather than related therapies. However, the overall effect was modest, and the confidence interval was close to zero at its lower boundary. The findings should therefore be interpreted cautiously.
The review included a relatively small number of participants, and its conclusions are limited by the quality and design of the original trials. Further, larger and better-controlled studies are needed to establish the effects of Reiki on quality of life.
The study does not specifically investigate Jikiden Reiki, so its findings should not be taken as evidence that all Reiki styles produce identical outcomes.
Published in: Systematic Reviews, 14, Article 72 (2025).
Original study: Liu K, Qin Z, Qin Y, et al. (2025). Effects of Reiki therapy on quality of life: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Systematic Reviews, 14, 72.
Immediate symptom relief after a first session of massage or Reiki in hospitalised patients
Published: 2018
Research topic: Pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, depression and wellbeing
Study setting: Rural academic medical centre, United States
What the study investigated
This five-year clinical experience study examined changes in symptoms after one session of Reiki or massage among hospitalised patients who requested or were referred to the healing arts team.
What the researchers reported
Patients experienced improvements in symptoms including pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, depression and overall wellbeing. The reported improvements were similar for Reiki and massage in both cancer and non-cancer patients. The researchers also reported greater improvements in fatigue and anxiety following Reiki than massage.
Research context
This was a clinical experience study rather than a randomised controlled trial. Its findings provide useful information about the reported patient experience but should be considered alongside other research.
Original study:
PubMed – Immediate symptom relief after a first session of massage or Reiki(opens in new tab)
Reiki for Pain During Hemodialysis: A Feasibility and Instrument Evaluation Study
Published: 2019
Research topic: Pain, fatigue and depression during hemodialysis
Study design: One-group, repeated-measures feasibility study
Participants: 15 patients undergoing hemodialysis
What the study investigated
This study examined whether Reiki could be used during hemodialysis and explored its potential effects on pain, fatigue and depression. Fifteen participants received Reiki for 20 minutes, twice a week for four weeks.
What the researchers reported
The study found a significant decrease in mean symptom scores after four weeks of Reiki, with findings indicating potential relief from pain, fatigue and depression.
The participants also reported feelings of general relaxation. Although medical staff were initially reluctant to allow Reiki during hemodialysis, they found that it did not interfere with their workflow and considered that Reiki could be integrated into the practice setting.
Research context
This was a small feasibility study involving 15 participants and did not include a control group. The researchers concluded that the findings suggested Reiki may provide symptom relief for people receiving hemodialysis, while recommending randomised clinical trials to establish its effects on pain in this population.
Original study:
PubMed – Reiki for Pain During Hemodialysis: A Feasibility and Instrument Evaluation Study(opens in new tab)
Effects of Reiki on Post-cesarean Delivery Pain, Anxiety, and Hemodynamic Parameters: A Randomised, Controlled Clinical Trial
Published: 2015
Research topic: Pain, anxiety, breathing rate, blood pressure, pulse and analgesic use
Study design: Randomised, controlled clinical trial
Study setting: Obstetrical Unit, Odemis Public Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
What the study investigated
This study investigated the effects of Reiki on pain, anxiety and hemodynamic parameters in women following cesarean delivery. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to either a Reiki group or a control group receiving rest without treatment. Reiki was administered once a day on the first and second postoperative days.
What the researchers reported
The results showed that Reiki reduced the intensity of pain, anxiety and breathing rate, as well as the need for and number of analgesics.
The researchers did not find an effect on blood pressure or pulse rate.
Research context
The study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial involving 90 women following cesarean delivery. Pain and anxiety were assessed alongside hemodynamic measures and analgesic requirements. The researchers concluded that Reiki reduced pain, anxiety, breathing rate and analgesic requirements in women following cesarean delivery.
Original study:
PubMed – Effects of Reiki on Post-cesarean Delivery Pain, Anxiety, and Hemodynamic Parameters(opens in new tab)
Reiki research referenced in Energy Medicine East and West
Published: 2011 book reference
Research topic: Pain, blood pressure and immune function
What the reference discusses
In Energy Medicine East and West, John A. Ives and Wayne B. Jonas discuss research into energy medicine approaches, including Reiki. The book references studies examining outcomes such as pain, blood pressure and immune function, including randomised controlled trials.
Research context
This is a secondary reference to research rather than a single original study. The specific studies and their methods should be reviewed before drawing conclusions about Reiki’s effectiveness.
Reference
Energy Medicine East and West (2011), John A. Ives and Wayne B. Jonas.
Effects of Reiki vs Physiotherapy on lower back pain
Published: 2018
Research topic: Lower back pain and activities of daily living
Study design: Randomised controlled trial
What the study investigated
Sixty patients with intervertebral disc hernia were randomly assigned to receive Reiki, physiotherapy or drug treatment. The study examined pain levels and activities of daily living.
What the researchers reported
The study reported that both Reiki and physiotherapy produced greater reductions in pain than drug treatment. Reiki and physiotherapy produced similar levels of pain reduction.
Research context
The study was relatively small, and its findings should be considered alongside other research before drawing broader conclusions.
Original study:
PubMed – Effects of Reiki vs Physiotherapy on lower back pain(opens in new tab)
The Impact of Reiki on Side Effects in Patients with Head-Neck Neoplasia Undergoing Radiotherapy: A Pilot Study
Published: 2017
Research topic: Side effects and psychological support during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Study design: Pilot study
Study setting: Radiotherapy Department, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
What the study investigated
This pilot study investigated whether Reiki could help patients experiencing symptoms and side effects associated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
The study was carried out in the Radiotherapy Department at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute in Rome. Quality of life was assessed using the FACT-H&N questionnaire, while mucositis, skin toxicity and salivation were assessed using the CTCAE scale.
What the researchers reported
The researchers reported a reduction in strong pain as treatment progressed. In the fifth week of radiotherapy, 10.5% of patients reported strong pain, compared with 21.1% in the previous week.
The study also recorded Grade 3 mucositis in 15.5% of cases according to clinical assessment and 10.5% according to functional assessment. Only one case (5.3%) of Grade 3 skin toxicity was recorded.
Research context
The researchers concluded that Reiki appeared to provide benefits for patients in most cases, both as psychological support in dealing with the radiotherapy process and as complementary support alongside pain treatment.
As this was a pilot study, the findings should be considered preliminary and provide a basis for further research rather than definitive evidence of effectiveness.
Original study:
PubMed – The Impact of Reiki on Side Effects in Patients with Head-Neck Neoplasia Undergoing Radiotherapy(opens in new tab)
The Effects of Reiki and Back Massage on Women's Pain and Vital Signs Post-Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Published: 2022
Research topic: Pain, analgesic use and vital signs following abdominal hysterectomy
Study design: Single-blinded, pretest-posttest experimental study
What the study investigated
This study examined the effects of Reiki and back massage on women's pain and vital signs following abdominal hysterectomy. Participants were allocated to Reiki, back massage or control groups.
What the researchers reported
Statistically significant differences in pain intensity and analgesic use were observed between the women in the Reiki group and those in the back massage and control groups (p < 0.001).
Significant differences in vital signs were also observed between the groups before and after the respective procedures. In the Reiki group, vital signs tended to decrease, while in the back massage and control groups they tended to increase.
Conclusion
The study reported that pain, analgesic use and vital signs decreased following Reiki among women who had undergone abdominal hysterectomy.
Original study:
PubMed – The Effects of Reiki and Back Massage on Women's Pain and Vital Signs Post-Abdominal Hysterectomy(opens in new tab)
Related Hands-On and Biofield Research
The following studies investigate related complementary approaches rather than Reiki itself. They are included to provide wider context, but their findings should not be presented as direct evidence of Reiki’s effectiveness.
Cancer pain relief after Healing Touch and Massage
Published: 2018
Research topic: Cancer pain
Therapies studied: Healing Touch and Oncology Massage
Study design: Comparative clinical study
What the study investigated
This study compared Healing Touch and Oncology Massage in 572 cancer patients, examining their effects on pain.
What the researchers reported
Both Healing Touch and Oncology Massage were associated with significant reductions in pain. The study reported that pain relief tended to occur immediately, within one session.
Research context
This study investigated Healing Touch and Oncology Massage, not Reiki. Its findings should therefore not be presented as direct evidence of Reiki’s effectiveness.
Original study:
PubMed – Cancer pain relief after Healing Touch and Massage(opens in new tab)
The effects of Therapeutic Touch on back pain in adults on a neurological unit
Published: 2018
Research topic: Chronic back pain
Therapy studied: Therapeutic Touch
Study design: Experimental pilot study
What the study investigated
This study involved 29 adults with chronic back pain. Fourteen received standard drug treatment, while 15 received standard treatment plus four healing sessions over four consecutive days.
What the researchers reported
The study reported greater reductions in pain in the group receiving the additional healing sessions. The researchers concluded that the findings indicated a potentially meaningful effect that warranted further research.
Research context
This study investigated Therapeutic Touch, not Reiki, so its findings should not be presented as direct evidence of Reiki’s effectiveness.
Original study:
PubMed – The effects of Therapeutic Touch on back pain(opens in new tab)
Further Research
Review of randomised controlled studies of biofield therapies
Published: 2014
Research topic: Biofield therapies, including Reiki
What the review investigated
A pilot review examined randomised controlled studies of several biofield therapies, including external qigong, Healing Touch, Johrei, Reiki and Therapeutic Touch.
What the researchers reported
The review examined 18 trials and reported that approximately two-thirds demonstrated at least partial effectiveness. The authors concluded that further research was warranted.
Research context
This was a review of several different therapies, not Reiki alone. The findings should therefore be interpreted as part of the wider research landscape rather than as definitive evidence for Reiki.
Original study:
PubMed – Review of randomised controlled studies of biofield therapies(opens in new tab)
A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of the physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions
Published: 2024
Research topic: Physical and mental health, including pain, anxiety, depression and stress-related outcomes
Study design: Systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis
What the study investigated
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined research into the effects of touch-based interventions on physical and mental health. The researchers included 137 studies involving 12,966 individuals in their meta-analysis, alongside a further 75 studies in their systematic review.
The review considered a range of interventions and investigated their associations with physical and psychological outcomes.
What the researchers reported
The researchers found that touch interventions were associated with improvements in several health outcomes. In adults, these included reductions in pain, anxiety and depressive symptoms. The analysis also identified effects on cortisol levels and weight gain in newborns.
The findings suggest that touch-based interventions may have potential benefits for aspects of physical and psychological wellbeing, although the effects varied according to the intervention, population and outcome studied.
Research context
This review examined a range of touch-based interventions rather than Reiki specifically. Its findings therefore provide useful background on research into touch and wellbeing but should not be interpreted as direct evidence of the effectiveness of Reiki or Jikiden Reiki.
The researchers identified limitations, including potential small-study bias and difficulties blinding participants to the interventions they received. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of different touch interventions and the factors that may contribute to the reported outcomes.
Original study: Packheiser J, Hartmann H, Fredriksen K, et al. (2024). A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of the physical and mental health benefits of touch interventions. Nature Human Behaviour, 8, 1088–1107.
Read the original research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-01841-8
Research Disclaimer
The studies and summaries on this page are provided for information purposes. Research into Reiki and related complementary therapies varies in quality and design. The inclusion of a study does not necessarily mean that JRUKA endorses its findings or that Reiki has been established as an effective treatment for a particular medical condition.
Reiki should not be used as a substitute for appropriate medical care. Anyone considering Reiki alongside medical treatment should discuss this with their healthcare professional.