Reiki and Medical Research: What Do the Studies Say?

Reiki is often associated with relaxation, peacefulness and a sense of well-being, but many people wonder:

Has Reiki actually been studied scientifically?

The answer is yes.

Researchers have explored Reiki in relation to anxiety, pain, fatigue and quality of life. Some studies have reported encouraging findings, while others have found little or no significant benefit.

The overall evidence remains limited and inconsistent. Reiki is therefore best viewed as a complementary wellness practice that may be used alongside appropriate medical care—not in place of it.

Reiki and Anxiety

A 2024 meta-analysis reviewed 13 studies involving 824 adults. Researchers reported an overall statistically significant reduction in anxiety associated with Reiki.

The results varied among the groups studied, and the findings were less consistent for some types of anxiety. Although interesting, the results do not prove that Reiki treats anxiety disorders.

Study: Therapeutic Effects of Reiki on Interventions for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis

Published: 2024

PubMed PMID: 38872168

Reiki and Quality of Life

Quality of life includes physical comfort, emotional well-being and the ability to participate in and enjoy everyday activities.

A 2025 meta-analysis examined 11 randomized controlled trials involving 661 participants aged 14 and older.

Researchers reported a small but statistically significant improvement in quality-of-life measurements among people receiving Reiki.

This does not establish Reiki as a treatment for an illness, but it suggests that its possible relationship with overall well-being may be worthy of continued research.

Study: Effects of Reiki Therapy on Quality of Life: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Published: 2025

PubMed PMID: 40148929

Reiki, Cancer-Related Pain and Fatigue

Reiki has also been studied as a complementary practice for people receiving cancer care.

A 2023 systematic review included seven studies and 572 people with cancer. Five studies reported reductions in pain associated with Reiki, while two did not find it effective.

Another systematic review examined five studies involving Reiki and cancer-related fatigue. The included studies reported improvements in fatigue, while some also reported improvements in pain, stress and quality of life.

The number of studies was small, and their designs varied. The findings should therefore be interpreted cautiously. Reiki should never replace cancer treatment or conventional pain and symptom management.

Studies:

The Effect of Reiki on Pain Applied to Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review — PubMed PMID: 37595119

The Effect of Reiki on Fatigue Symptoms of Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review — PubMed PMID: 39042722

Why Are the Findings Inconsistent?

Reiki studies can differ in many ways, including:

The number and length of sessions

The practitioner’s training and experience

The health and circumstances of participants

The comparison or sham-Reiki method used

How pain, anxiety, fatigue or well-being are measured

The number of people included in the study

Many studies have been relatively small. This makes it difficult to determine whether their findings would be repeated in larger or different populations.

What Does the NCCIH Say?

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) describes Reiki as a complementary health approach.

The NCCIH notes that Reiki has been studied for pain, anxiety, depression and other health-related concerns. However, it states that Reiki has not been clearly shown to be effective for any health-related purpose because much of the research has been of limited quality and the findings have been inconsistent.

It also states that there is no scientific evidence supporting the existence of the energy field traditionally believed to play a role in Reiki.

Regarding safety, the NCCIH reports that Reiki has not been shown to have harmful effects.

Reiki as Complementary Care

For me, one of the most important words when discussing Reiki is complementary.

Reiki does not have to compete with conventional healthcare. A person may choose to receive Reiki while also seeing their physician, specialist, therapist, physiotherapist or another healthcare professional.

A Reiki session can provide quiet time to rest and relax. Some people describe peacefulness, warmth or renewed energy, while others may notice very little. Everyone experiences Reiki differently, and no particular result is promised or required.

Scientific research does not currently establish Reiki as a treatment or cure for any medical condition. However, continuing research offers an interesting way to explore Reiki and its possible role as a complementary wellness practice.

A Gentle Reminder

Reiki should not replace medical diagnosis, treatment, medication, therapy or other professional healthcare.

If you have a medical concern, please speak with an appropriate healthcare professional.

This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

Sources and Further Reading

• Therapeutic Effects of Reiki on Interventions for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis — PubMed, 2024

• Effects of Reiki Therapy on Quality of Life: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials — PubMed, 2025

• The Effect of Reiki on Pain Applied to Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review — PubMed, 2023

• The Effect of Reiki on Fatigue Symptoms of Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review — PubMed

• Reiki: What Does the Research Say? — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health