Academic Research on Reiki
Science is now catching up with what healers have known for generations: energy healing can provide relief to patients. The research on the effect of Reiki is starting to add up, as more research is completed and published, Reiki will become known and available to more who need it. Below are quick summaries of two studies supporting the use of Reiki to soothe the side effects of needed medical treatments.
Scientific research is supporting the positive effects of Reiki.
Main findings of the research below:
Reiki decreased pain, fatigue, and itching in hemodialysis patients.
Reiki reduced stress levels in cancer patients.
Summaries of Scientific Journal Articles
Investigation of the Effect of Reiki on Pain, Fatigue, and Itching in Hemodialysis Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial:
Randomized control design: 74 patients, 37 in intervention group, 37 in control group
Intervention group: 10 Reiki sessions (2x/wk, 10 wks)
Control group: standard tx
“Statistically significant decrease in the pain, fatigue, and itching levels” in the Reiki group
The Effect of Reiki Applied to Cancer Patients on Pain, Anxiety, and Stress Levels: A Randomized Controlled Study:
Three-armed, double-blinded, and randomized trial
3 groups: Reiki (experimental) group, fake looks like Reiki (placebo) group, and progressive relaxation exercise (control) group.
Experimenters did not know who was receiving which treatment
Total of 58 patients, data collected 4 times during trial
The Reiki group was found to have the lowest stress levels during the 3rd month follow-up data collection
Resources
Başer Akın, E., & Mollaoğlu, M. (2025). Investigation of the Effect of Reiki on Pain, Fatigue, and Itching in Hemodialysis Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial. Hemodialysis International. International Symposium on Home Hemodialysis, 29(2), 201–213. https://doi.org/10.1111/hdi.13203
Oz Kahveci, S., Engin, E., & Goker, E. (2025). The Effect of Reiki Applied to Cancer Patients on Pain, Anxiety, and Stress Levels: A Randomized Controlled Study. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 41(2), 151807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2024.151807
