Reiki is a subtle form of energy work that has only received the attention of the research community recently. Some studies used poor methodology and some have been inconclusive in results. The following are some of the positive results that studies have found from the provision of Reiki:
- Adjunct to Cancer Treatments: In a 6-month study (published in 2012) of cancer patients receiving services at a cancer infusion center or other part of the hospital, recipients of Reiki were asked to rate benefits they experienced from Reiki on a 5 point scale, as it related to changes in pain, mood, distress, sleep, and appetite; 145 (34.5%) completed a survey. Results (1st number is of those at cancer infusion center; 2nd number is those elsewhere in the hospital) showed 75%/75% experienced less anxiety/worry, 81%/78% had improved mood, 43%/35% had improved sleep, 45%/49% had reduced pain, and 30%/30% had improved appetite (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23221065). A second study (published 2007) examined effects of receiving Reiki versus just resting, on subjective fatigue levels of 16 cancer patients. Fatigue, pain and anxiety levels significantly decreased in the Reiki treatment group over the control group (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17351024).
- Reduction of Pain, Anxiety, & Depression: A pilot study (published in 1997) of 20 volunteers experiencing pain for various reasons who received Reiki as an adjuvant to opioid therapy found a highly significant reduction in pain following a Reiki treatment (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9765732). A study (published in 2010) evaluated Reiki as an alternative approach to treating 20 community-dwelling older adults who experience pain, depression and/or anxiety; half received Reiki and half were placed in a wait-list control group. There was significant reduction in pain, depression and anxiety; no changes in heart rate or blood pressure were noted (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20635803). A literature review was made of randomized trials published in 2000 or later on Reiki’s effects on pain or anxiety; all selected studies used a control or usual care group. In total 49 articles were examined, with 7 meeting inclusion criteria; 4 studied cancer patients, one examined post-surgical patients, and 2 analyzed community dwelling older adults. Statistical analysis showed Reiki as a promising therapy for pain and anxiety (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24582620). In a study (pub. 2006) of 10 women, post-abdominal hysterectomy, who received traditional nursing care plus 3 30-minute Reiki sessions, compared to a control group of 12 getting traditional nursing care, the Reiki group had less anxiety than the control group 72 hours post-operation (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17099413). A study (published 2009) of 35 college students who either received distance Reiki or none while engaged in one of three tasks involving self-hypnosis/relaxation for 10 20-minute sessions over 2-1/2 to 12 weeks found the Reiki group showed reduction of illness symptoms while a substantive increase was seen in the non-Reiki group. The Reiki group also showed a near-significant reduction in stress (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19819311).
- Lowered Heart Rate, Cortisol, Stress Levels: A study (published 2011) analyzed immediate effects of Reiki on heart rate variability (HRV), body temperature, salivary flow rate, and cortisol level in 21 health care professionals with burnout syndrome; half received 2 Reiki sessions and the others got 2 sham placebo treatments. Body temperature was significantly higher and low frequency component of HRV was significantly lower for the Reiki group (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21821642). A pilot study (published 2010) looked at effects of Reiki on work-related stress on 17 registered nurses who attended a Reiki I training and did self-treatments for 3 weeks afterward; results showed that practicing Reiki reduced perceived stress levels (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20699431). A pilot study (published 2004) equally assigned 45 outpatient medical patients to no-treatment/rest-only, Reiki, or sham-Reiki/placebo treatment groups. Heart rate and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly solely in the Reiki group (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15674004).
- Improved Cognition: A study (published 2006) explored providing 4 weekly Reiki treatments at a health center to improve memory and behavior deficiencies in 12 patients aged 60-80 years, who experienced mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease, compared to 12 in a control, no-treatment group. The Reiki group showed statistically significant increases in mental function and memory, and reduced behavior problems, based on standardized tests (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17109583).
- Reiki in Hospitals: Reiki is used more and more in hospitals, hospice programs, psychiatric settings, nursing homes, and family practice clinics. USA Today reported in 2007, 15% (800+) US hospitals offered Reiki as a regular patient service (http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-2009-2014-alternative-therapies_N.htm). Reiki has been used in operation rooms beginning as early as the mid-90’s, as well as post-operatively, in emergency rooms, with adult and child cancer patients, and for other conditions. It is performed by nurses, doctors, physical therapists, other employees, and by touch therapy practitioners. Reiki is now listed in a nursing “scope and standards of practice” publication as an accepted form of care (American Holistic Nurses Association and American Nurses Association (2007), Holistic Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (Silver Spring, MD: Nursesbooks.org.). It was shown to accelerate surgery recovery, lessen pain, reduce negative effects of medication and medical procedures, improve mental attitude, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. It also decreases asthma and wheezing, improves circulation, resolves rashes, and eliminates nerve blocks. It is helpful for trauma, acute infections, heart attacks, headaches, pain from musculoskeletal injuries and chronic illnesses, child abuse, and allergic reactions. A 1999 study at Hartford Hospital found Reiki improved patient sleep by 86%, reduced pain by 78%, decreased nausea by 80%, and reduced anxiety during pregnancy by 94% (http://www.harthosp.org/integrativemed/outcomes/default.aspx#). A small study at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, in New York that compared patients who received Reiki during operations, including open-heart surgeries and heart transplants, found that none of 11 heart patients treated with Reiki felt usual symptoms of post-operative depression, post-operative pain or leg weakness, and transplant patients experienced no organ rejection (Julie Motz, Hands of Life, Bantam Books, New York, 1998). For detailed descriptions of 64 hospital programs, go to www.centerforreikiresearch.org