There have been significant research activities on the effectiveness of Reiki healing, with a number of recently published articles, including systematic reviews and clinical trials, which contribute to the body of evidence. Findings generally suggest that it is a safe and gentle complementary therapy, offering benefits in specific areas, particularly for managing symptoms like pain, anxiety, and fatigue.
Summary of five recent papers on Reiki healing:
- “Effects of Reiki therapy on quality of life: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials” (Liu et al., 2025): This meta-analysis, which involved 11 studies with 661 participants, found that Reiki therapy significantly improved the overall quality of life. Findings underline that Reiki is a positive and safe therapy to improve the well-being in patients with chronic illness, cancer, and those undergoing surgery.
- “A study to assess the effectiveness of reiki therapy on pain and anxiety among critically ill women admitted in selected hospital” (Padmavathy et al., 2024): This study found that Reiki therapy is statistically significant in reducing both pain and anxiety in critically ill women. While comparing an experimental group receiving Reiki with a control group, a significant decrease in pain and anxiety scores was observed in the experimental group after the treatment. It supports the use of Reiki as a beneficial complementary therapy in a clinical setting to manage symptoms in critical care patients.
- “Integrated Reiki Therapy for the Treatment and Management of Psychosomatic Disorders: A Pilot Study” (Balkrishna et al., 2024): While investigating the effects of Reiki on stress and anxiety, among other psychosomatic symptoms, a statistically significant improvement was observed across all measured outcomes. It suggests that Reiki may not only address specific symptoms but also contribute to a broader improvement in mental and physical health.
- “Therapeutic effects of Reiki on interventions for anxiety: a meta-analysis” (Humphreys et al., 2024): While trying to find the effects of Reiki on anxiety, involving 824 participants, the study found a significant effect of Reiki in reducing anxiety in patients with chronic conditions such as gastrointestinal endoscopy inflammation, fibromyalgia, and depression, as well as in the general population. The study also suggests that a small number of sessions (three or fewer) and a larger number (six to eight) were effective for anxiety reduction.
- “Effect of Reiki on Measures of Well-Being in Low-Income Patients with Mental Health Diagnoses” (Pomerantz et al., 2025): Exploring the feasibility and outcomes of providing Reiki in a community behavioral health clinic, this study found that a single session of Reiki significantly reduced patient ratings of pain, fatigue, anxiety, stress, and sadness, while increasing feelings of happiness, energy, relaxation, and calmness. It further suggests that Reiki is a feasible and beneficial intervention to incorporate into clinical care to improve well-being in patients with mental health diagnoses.