Fast facts
Low to moderate quality
Stress reduction, anxiety
Limited, low quality
No evidence
Low quality, inconclusive
The State of the Evidence
What Science Does and Does Not Show About Reiki
The scientific study of Reiki is young. The first rigorous studies appeared in the 1990s. Compared to pharmaceuticals, which have decades of large trials, Reiki research is in its infancy.
The evidence that exists is promising but not conclusive. Some studies show real effects. Others show no difference from placebo. The quality of most studies is low.
This does not mean Reiki does not work. It means we need more and better research. The question is not settled. It is open.
Evidence by Condition
A summary of research findings.
- Stress: Best evidence. Multiple studies show Reiki reduces cortisol and activates the relaxation response. Quality: Moderate.
- Anxiety: Good evidence, especially for pre-surgery and cancer patients. Quality: Low to moderate.
- Pain: Mixed evidence. Some studies show benefit. Others do not. Quality: Low.
- Depression: Limited evidence. Some studies show benefit. More research needed. Quality: Low.
- Sleep: Limited evidence. Anecdotal reports are strong. Quality: Low.
- Cancer symptoms: Reiki may help with pain, fatigue, and anxiety. Quality: Low to moderate.
- Surgery recovery: Studies show Reiki reduces pre-surgery anxiety and may reduce pain medication needs. Quality: Low to moderate.
- Disease cure: No evidence. Reiki does not cure any disease. Quality: Strong (for absence of evidence).
Reiki Research Evidence by Condition
Quality of evidence and strength of findings.
Stress Reduction
Best evidence. Cortisol studies. Parasympathetic activation. Quality: Moderate.
Anxiety
Good evidence for situational anxiety. Quality: Low to Moderate.
Pain
Mixed evidence. Some studies show benefit. Quality: Low.
Disease Cure
No evidence. Reiki does not cure any disease.
The Scientific Evidence for Reiki
A summary of key findings from systematic reviews and major studies.
Reiki reduces stress (cortisol)
Scientific Study
Reiki reduces anxiety
Scientific Study
Reiki reduces pain
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.
Key takeaways
- The scientific evidence for Reiki is limited and inconclusive.
- Best evidence is for stress reduction (moderate quality).
- Moderate evidence for anxiety reduction (low to moderate quality).
- Limited evidence for pain reduction (low quality).
- No evidence that Reiki cures any disease.
- Methodological challenges (blinding, placebo) make Reiki hard to study.
- More and better research is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any scientific proof that Reiki works?
No. The evidence is limited and inconclusive. Some studies show benefits, but the quality is low. More research is needed.
What does the NCCIH say about Reiki?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that evidence for Reiki is low quality and inconclusive. Reiki should not replace conventional medical care.
Why are there no large Reiki studies?
Reiki is hard to study due to blinding challenges and funding issues. Large, high-quality studies are expensive. There is little incentive for funding.
Does the lack of proof mean Reiki does not work?
No. Absence of proof is not proof of absence. It means we need more research.
What conditions have the best evidence for Reiki?
Stress and anxiety have the best evidence. Pain has limited evidence. No condition has strong evidence.
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Reiki Research.
- Systematic reviews of Reiki studies.
- Bronwen and Frans Stiene, The Reiki Sourcebook, 2003.
