Fast facts
No. Evidence is limited and inconclusive.
Stress reduction, anxiety, pain
Low quality, inconclusive
Likely plays a significant role
Yes. Large, high-quality studies.
The State of the Evidence
What Research Does and Does Not Show About Reiki
The scientific study of Reiki faces a fundamental problem: it is hard to blind people to whether they are receiving Reiki. In a drug study, you can give a placebo pill that looks identical. In a Reiki study, the participant usually knows whether someone is placing hands on them or not.
Despite this challenge, researchers have conducted dozens of studies. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has reviewed this research. Their conclusion: the evidence is low quality and inconclusive.
This does not mean Reiki does not work. It means we do not have high-quality scientific proof that it works. There is a difference. Absence of proof is not proof of absence.
What the Evidence Shows
A summary of research findings by condition.
- Pain: Multiple studies show modest pain reduction. Quality is low to moderate.
- Anxiety: Better evidence. Several studies show Reiki reduces anxiety more than placebo.
- Stress: Best evidence. Cortisol reduction and parasympathetic activation are measurable.
- Depression: Limited evidence. Some studies show benefit. More research needed.
- Cancer symptoms: Reiki may help with fatigue, pain, and anxiety in cancer patients.
- Surgery recovery: Studies show Reiki reduces pre-surgery anxiety and may reduce pain medication needs.
Reiki Research Quality by Condition
Evidence quality ratings for different conditions.
Stress Reduction
Best evidence. Cortisol studies. Parasympathetic activation measurable.
Anxiety
Moderate evidence. Especially pre-surgery and cancer patients.
Pain
Low to moderate evidence. Some studies show benefit. Others do not.
Disease Cure
No evidence. Reiki does not cure any disease.
The Research Evidence for Reiki
A summary of key findings from systematic reviews and major studies.
Reiki reduces pain
Scientific Study
Reiki reduces anxiety
Scientific Study
Reiki reduces stress (cortisol)
Scientific Study
Evidence is low quality and inconclusive
Medical Guidance
Reiki cures any disease
Medical Guidance
Effects are due to placebo
Skeptical View
Why Research Is Hard
The Methodological Challenges of Studying Reiki
Studying Reiki scientifically is harder than studying a pill. With a pill, you can give half the participants a placebo that looks identical. Neither the participant nor the researcher knows who got what.
With Reiki, the participant usually knows whether someone is placing hands on them. The practitioner knows they are giving Reiki. Blinding is nearly impossible. This introduces bias.
The placebo effect is also powerful. Any relaxing, attentive touch will reduce stress and anxiety. Isolating the specific effect of Reiki from general relaxation is very difficult.
Despite these challenges, some studies have tried to control for placebo by using sham Reiki (fake hand positions) or distance Reiki (participant does not know if they are receiving it). These studies have shown mixed results.
Reiki vs Conventional Medicine
How Reiki compares to standard medical treatments in terms of evidence.
| Topic | Aspect | Reiki | Conventional Medicine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence quality | Low to moderate | High (for approved treatments) | |
| Placebo-controlled studies | Very difficult | Standard | |
| Mechanism understood | No | Yes (for most treatments) | |
| Cures disease | No evidence | Yes for many conditions | |
| Side effects | Virtually none | Varies, often significant | |
| Cost | Moderate | Varies, often high |
Key takeaways
- Reiki is not medically proven in the way pharmaceuticals are proven.
- The evidence base is limited and inconclusive, according to the NCCIH.
- Some studies show Reiki may help with pain, anxiety, and stress reduction.
- Most studies are small and have methodological limitations.
- No study has shown Reiki cures any disease.
- Reiki should be used alongside medical care, not instead of it.
Frequently asked questions
Does the placebo effect explain Reiki?
The placebo effect likely plays a significant role, but some studies have shown Reiki outperforms placebo. The evidence is mixed.
What do major medical organizations say about Reiki?
No major medical organization endorses Reiki. The NCCIH states the evidence is low quality and inconclusive.
Is there any condition where Reiki is proven to work?
No condition has strong evidence. The best evidence is for stress reduction and anxiety, but even that is moderate at best.
Why are there so few high-quality Reiki studies?
Reiki is difficult to study due to blinding challenges and the strong placebo effect of touch. High-quality studies are expensive and complex.
Does the lack of proof mean Reiki does not work?
No. Absence of proof is not proof of absence. It means we need more and better research.
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Reiki Research.
- Systematic reviews of Reiki studies.
- Bronwen and Frans Stiene, The Reiki Sourcebook, 2003.
