Reiki and Medical Research
Reiki is often associated with relaxation, peacefulness and a sense of well-being, but many people are also curious about an important question:
Has Reiki actually been studied scientifically?
The answer is yes.
Over the years, researchers have studied Reiki in hospitals, universities and other healthcare settings. Research has explored Reiki in relation to anxiety, stress, pain, fatigue, relaxation and quality of life.
Some studies have reported encouraging results, while others have shown little or no significant benefit. The overall scientific evidence is still developing, and researchers continue to call for larger, higher-quality studies.
This is important to understand because Reiki is best viewed as a complementary wellness practice—something that may be used alongside appropriate medical care rather than instead of it.
What Does Research Say About Reiki and Anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the areas where Reiki has received considerable research attention.
A 2024 meta-analysis looked at research involving 824 adults. The researchers found an overall statistically significant reduction in anxiety associated with Reiki.
The results were not identical across every group studied. Some types of anxiety appeared to respond more consistently than others, highlighting the need for continued research.
Still, the findings suggest that Reiki may have potential as a supportive practice for relaxation and anxiety reduction.
Study: Therapeutic Effects of Reiki on Interventions for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis
Published in 2024
PubMed PMID: 38872168
Reiki and Quality of Life
Quality of life includes many aspects of a person's well-being, including physical comfort, emotional health and the ability to enjoy everyday activities.
A 2025 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examined Reiki and quality of life. The review included 661 participants aged 14 and older.
Researchers reported a small but statistically significant improvement in quality-of-life measurements among people receiving Reiki.
Although the results are encouraging, they do not mean that Reiki has been proven to treat a particular illness. Rather, they suggest that Reiki may have a supportive role in overall well-being.
Study: Effects of Reiki Therapy on Quality of Life: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Published in 2025
PubMed PMID: 40148929
Kundalini Reiki and Premenstrual Symptoms — 2026 Study
A study published in the Journal of Nursology in October 2026 explored Kundalini Reiki for 90 nursing students experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Participants were randomly assigned to receive Kundalini Reiki or a comparison intervention.
What Did Researchers Find?
Students who received Kundalini Reiki showed greater improvements in several premenstrual symptoms, including:
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Pain and fatigue
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Anxiety and nervousness
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Low mood and depressive thoughts
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Sleep difficulties
They also showed improvements in several areas of quality of life, including physical functioning, mental health, social functioning and general health perceptions.
Researchers found no significant differences between the groups for appetite changes, bloating, energy and vitality, or limitations caused by physical health problems.
Looking Ahead
This study of 90 nursing students offers an encouraging foundation for future research. Studies involving people of different ages and backgrounds can build on these findings and deepen our understanding of Kundalini Reiki’s potential to support comfort and well-being.
Study: Effect of Kundalini Reiki on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms and Quality of Life in Nursing Students: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Journal: Journal of Nursology (2026), 29(3), 222–231
DOI: 10.17049/jnursology.1673866
Reiki, Cancer and Pain
Reiki has also been studied as a complementary practice for people receiving cancer care.
A systematic review examining Reiki for cancer-related pain included seven studies and 572 people with cancer.
Five of the seven studies reported reductions in pain associated with Reiki, while two did not find it effective for pain.
The researchers described the findings as promising while emphasizing the need for additional high-quality randomized clinical trials.
Study: The Effect of Reiki on Pain Applied to Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review
PubMed PMID: 37595119
A Newer Study on Cancer-Related Fatigue
A 2026 study looked at Reiki and massage for people with breast or prostate cancer who were experiencing fatigue while receiving hormone therapy. Participants received either two massage sessions, two Reiki sessions or four Reiki sessions.
Fatigue improved in all three groups. The Reiki groups showed encouraging results, particularly the group that received four sessions. However, the study did not find a clear difference between the groups. More research is needed to understand whether Reiki offers benefits beyond those of other supportive practices.
Study: Feasibility and Efficacy of Reiki Versus Massage for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Breast and Prostate Cancer Receiving Hormone Therapy
Published: 2026
PubMed PMID: 42263755
Reiki & Breast Cancer: 2026 Systematic Review
A 2026 systematic review published in Supportive Care in Cancer examined research exploring Reiki as a complementary supportive-care practice for people with breast cancer. The review included four studies involving a total of 339 participants.
What did the review find?
Across the studies included in the review, Reiki was associated with several encouraging outcomes, including:
- Reduced fatigue
- Improved comfort and overall well-being
- Improvements in quality of life
- Positive effects on mood and mental well-being
The authors described Reiki as a safe and well-tolerated complementary intervention within the studies reviewed.
Looking Ahead
These encouraging findings add to the growing body of research exploring Reiki as a complementary supportive-care practice. As interest continues to grow, larger, high-quality studies will help researchers learn even more about Reiki’s potential benefits and longer-term effects for people living with breast cancer.
Study: The effects of Reiki practice on breast cancer patients: a systematic review
Journal: Supportive Care in Cancer (2026)
Participants: 339 across four studies
PMID: 42315636
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-026-10889-3
Reiki and Chronic Knee Pain
A 2025 study followed 164 adults with chronic knee osteoarthritis pain. Participants received four weekly 30-minute sessions of Reiki, sham Reiki or mindfulness, or were placed in a waitlist group.
The Reiki group showed improvement compared with the waitlist group, with 55% reporting a meaningful reduction in symptoms. The researchers described the findings as encouraging while noting that larger studies are needed.
Study: Complementary Therapies for Chronic Knee Pain: A Placebo-Controlled RCT of Reiki and Mindfulness
Published: 2025
PubMed PMID: 41183719
Reiki and Cancer-Related Fatigue
Fatigue can be particularly difficult for people undergoing cancer treatment.
Another systematic review examined five studies involving Reiki and cancer-related fatigue.
The researchers reported improvements in fatigue in the studies they reviewed. Some of the studies also reported improvements in pain, stress and quality of life.
However, because relatively few studies qualified for inclusion, the results should still be interpreted cautiously.
Study: The Effect of Reiki on Fatigue Symptoms of Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review
PubMed PMID: 39042722
Reiki for Children With Leukemia
A randomized controlled study involved 66 hospitalized children with leukemia between the ages of five and seven. Children who received 20–30 minutes of Reiki daily for three days reported lower pain and improved quality of life compared with the sham Reiki and control groups. Reiki did not significantly affect their vital signs.
Although encouraging, this was a small study involving a specific age group, so further research is needed.
Study: The Effect of Reiki Therapy Performed on Children With Leukemia Between the Ages of 5–7 Years on Pain, Vital Signs and Quality of Life
Published: 2026
PubMed PMID: 41793784
Why Do Some Reiki Studies Have Different Results?
Scientific research into complementary practices such as Reiki can be challenging.
Studies may differ in:
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The number of Reiki sessions offered
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How long each session lasts
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The experience of the practitioner
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The health conditions of participants
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The type of comparison or placebo group used
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How pain, anxiety or well-being are measured
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The number of people participating in the study
Some Reiki studies have been quite small, which makes it difficult to determine whether the same results would occur in a much larger population.
This is one reason researchers frequently recommend larger and more carefully controlled studies.
What Does the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Say?
The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the National Institutes of Health, recognizes Reiki as a complementary health approach.
The NCCIH notes that Reiki has been studied for concerns including pain, anxiety and depression.
However, it also states that Reiki has not been clearly demonstrated to be effective for any particular health-related purpose, largely because much of the research has been of limited quality and findings have been inconsistent.
The NCCIH also states that there is currently no scientific evidence establishing the existence of the energy field traditionally associated with Reiki.
At the same time, Reiki has generally been regarded as a low-risk complementary practice.
Reiki as Complementary Care
For me, one of the most important words when talking about 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 other healthcare professional.
Reiki sessions can provide quiet time to relax, rest and reconnect with yourself.
Everyone experiences Reiki differently. Some people describe warmth, peacefulness, relaxation or a feeling of renewed energy. Others may simply enjoy having an opportunity to slow down and rest.
No particular experience is required for Reiki to be meaningful.
Research Is Continuing
I find it encouraging that Reiki continues to be studied scientifically.
Research does not currently establish Reiki as a treatment or cure for medical conditions, and it is important not to make claims that go beyond the available evidence.
At the same time, several recent studies and systematic reviews have produced interesting findings relating to areas such as anxiety, pain, fatigue and quality of life.
As additional well-designed studies are completed, our understanding of Reiki as a complementary wellness practice will continue to develop.
For those who enjoy Reiki, scientific research can be another interesting way to explore a practice that has traditionally been experienced on a very personal level.
A Gentle Reminder
Reiki is a complementary wellness practice and 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.
The information in this article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
Sources and Further Reading
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Therapeutic Effects of Reiki on Interventions for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis — PubMed, 2024
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The Effect of Reiki on Pain Applied to Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review — PubMed, 2023
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The effects of Reiki practice on breast cancer patients: a systematic review
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The Effect of Reiki on Fatigue Symptoms of Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review — PubMed