Scientific Research on Reiki

Many scientific studies are being conducted on Reiki, as it continues to become more and more popular as a mode of complimentary healing. Listed below are some of the scientific studies which we could find, along with the conclusions reached at the end of the studies.

Biological correlates of Reiki Touch(sm) healing
J Adv Nurs. 2001 Feb;33(4):439-45.
Conclusion:These findings suggest both biochemical and physiological changes in the direction of relaxation. The salivary IgA findings warrant further study to explore the effects of human TT and humeral immune function

Autonomic nervous system changes during Reiki treatment: a preliminary study
J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Dec;10(6):1077-81
Conclusion:The study indicates that Reiki has some effect on the autonomic nervous system.

Using Reiki to decrease memory and behavior problems in mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease
J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Nov;12(9):911-3.
Conclusion:The results indicate that Reiki treatments show promise for improving certain behavior and memory problems in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease.

A randomised controlled single-blind trial of the effects of Reiki and positive imagery on well-being and salivary cortisol
Brain Res Bull. 2010 Jan 15;81(1):66-72.
Conclusion:While the Reiki group had a tendency towards a reduction in illness symptoms, a substantive increase was seen in the No-Reiki. The Reiki group also had a near-significant comparative reduction in stress, although they also had significantly higher baseline illness symptoms and stress scores.

Energy healing: a complementary treatment for orthopaedic and other conditions
Orthop Nurs. 2005 Jul-Aug;24(4):259-69
Conclusion: Several well-designed studies to date show significant outcomes for such conditions as wound healing (Grad, 1965) and advanced AIDS (Sicher, Targ, Moore, & Smith, 1998), and positive results for pain and anxiety (Aetna IntelliHealth, 2003a; Wardell, Weymouth, 2004), among others (Gallob, 2003). It is also suggested that EH may have positive effects on various orthopaedic conditions, including fracture healing, arthritis, and muscle and connective tissue (Prestwood, 2003).

Integrating complementary therapies into community mental health practice: an exploration
J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Jun;11(3):569-74
Conclusion: The integration of complementary therapies into community mental health practice may hold promise of enhancing mental health outcomes and improving quality of life for long-term users of mental health services

Long-term effects of energetic healing on symptoms of psychological depression and self-perceived stress
Altern Ther Health Med. 2004 May-Jun;10(3):42-8.
Conclusion: Upon completion of treatment, there was a significant reduction in symptoms of psychological distress in treatment groups as compared with control groups, and these differences continued to be present 1 year later

Pilot crossover trial of Reiki versus rest for treating cancer-related fatigue
Integr Cancer Ther. 2007 Mar;6(1):25-35
Conclusion:Fatigue on the FACT-F decreased within the Reiki condition (P=.05) over the course of all 7 treatments. In addition, participants in the Reiki condition experienced significant improvements in quality of life (FACT-G) compared to those in the resting condition

The effect of Reiki on pain and anxiety in women with abdominal hysterectomies
Holist Nurs Pract. 2006 Nov-Dec;20(6):263-72; quiz 273-4
Conclusion:The results indicated that the experimental group reported less pain and requested fewer analgesics than the control group. Also, the experimental group reported less state anxiety than the control group on discharge at 72 hours postoperation.

Endoscopic procedure with a modified Reiki intervention: a pilot study
Gastroenterol Nurs. 2010 Jan-Feb;33(1):20-6
Conclusion:(1) Anxious people may benefit from an adjunctive therapy; (2) Anxiety and pain are decreased by Reiki therapy for patients undergoing colonoscopy, and (3) Additional intraprocedure pain medication may not be needed for colonoscopy patients receiving Reiki therapy

In vitro effect of Reiki treatment on bacterial cultures: Role of experimental context and practitioner well-being
J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Jan-Feb;12(1):7-13.
Conclusion:Reiki improved growth of heat-shocked bacterial cultures in a healing context. The initial level of well-being of the Reiki practitioners correlates with the outcome of Reiki on bacterial culture growth and is key to the results obtained.

Personal interaction with a Reiki practitioner decreases noise-induced microvascular damage in an animal model
J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Jan-Feb;12(1):15-22
Conclusion:Application of Reiki significantly reduces noise-induced microvascular leakage in an animal model. Whether or not these effects are caused by Reiki itself, or the relaxing effect of the Reiki practitioner, this procedure could be useful for minimizing effects of environmental stress on research animals and hospital patients.

Reiki improves heart rate homeostasis in laboratory rats
J Altern Complement Med. 2008 May;14(4):417-22
Conclusion:Reiki is effective in modulating HR in stressed and unstressed rats, supporting its use as a stress-reducer in humans.

Changes in the isoprenoid pathway with transcendental meditation and Reiki healing practices in seizure disorder
Neurol India. 2003 Jun;51(2):211-4.
Conclusion: Reiki-like healing practices in refractory epilepsy results in a reduction in seizure frequency. Reiki-like healing practices produce membrane stabilization and stimulation of membrane Na+-K+ ATPase activity by quantal perception of low levels of EMF