Reiki’s Effect on Quality of Life and Mental Health
Helping others is a passion of mine, Reiki is at the core of that passion. I also love learning about the scientific research behind my passions. I have found a variety of peer-reviewed research articles regarding the use of Reiki and the improvements seen in participants. The research below can be used to improve the well-being of the neurodiverse population and those with mental health struggles, two populations that are very near and dear to my heart.
Below are two studies about the outcome of Reiki energy on participants. The first focuses on the effect of Reiki on the quality of life, which is a marker that tends to be lower for the neurodiverse population. The second study involves the ability and patient outcomes of incorporating Reiki into a community mental health clinic.
In the literature review by Liu, K et al (2025) participants had an increase in their quality of life after receiving Reiki. It was found that “Reiki therapy interventions with a frequency of greater than or equal to 8 sessions and a duration of greater than or equal to 60 min and acute interventions of less than or equal to 20 minutes were the most effective in improving quality of life (Liu et al, 2025, p1).
A study done by Prasad et al (2025) focused on the patient outcomes and the functionality of having Reiki offered at a behavioral health clinic providing care to low income population. Reiki was offered to current patients of a community clinic and 91 patients participated in a Reiki session during the study. This study “suggest that Reiki is feasible and could be fit into the flow of clinical care in an outpatient behavioral clinic” (Prasad et al, 2025, p1). The patient outcome showed “improved positive emotions and feelings and decreased negative measures” (Prasad et al, 2025, p1).
Both these studies show the positive outcomes of incorporating Reiki into your routine. Science has just begun its exploration of Reiki, and additional in-depth and larger studies are needed, but so far the exploratory studies are showing what I already know. Reiki supports and helps us live more positive and content lives.
References
Liu, K., Qin, Z., Qin, Y., Li, Y., Liu, Q., Gao, F., Zhang, P., & Wang, W. (2025). Effects of Reiki therapy on quality of life: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Systematic Reviews, 14(1), 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02811-5
Prasad, K., Dyer, N. L., St Sauver, J., Drost, M. S., Prasad, V., Baldwin, A. L., Soderlind, J. N., Croghan, I. T., Wahner-Roedler, D. L., Hassan, A., & Bauer, B. A. (2025). Effect of Reiki on Measures of Well-Being in Low-Income Patients with Mental Health Diagnoses. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, 14, 27536130251323580. https://doi.org/10.1177/27536130251323581
