Reiki Research
- kmaceach
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
Reiki and Healing: With Heart and Honesty
At The Reiki Sanctuary, I have witnessed again and again how Reiki helps calm nervous systems stuck in survival mode, soften grief, ease pain, support emotional resilience, and invite deep rest — both in humans and animals. Many clients show up because they are navigating the weight of difficult life challenges including cancer, PTSD, childhood trauma, ADHD overwhelm, grief, divorce, chronic health issues, and a whole lot of anxiety. And this is just the beginning of the list. I am both always surprised and delighted, and but never truly surprised at how well Reiki supports each client on their healing journey. Does it work? Yes!
But beyond lived experience, is Reiki supported by research? I like to explore and share what peer-reviewed studies are finding — and tie these to the benefits I've seen in my own work with clients.
Calming the Nervous System & Reducing Anxiety
Reiki’s ability to support relaxation and nervous-system regulation has been explored in multiple clinical trials and reviews. Research shows that Reiki can significantly reduce self-reported stress and anxiety in randomized controlled designs compared with control or sham treatments. One meta-analysis (a study combining many trials) found significant reductions in anxiety and stress across Reiki studies.
What this means for you: Clients struggling with chronic stress, PTSD hyperarousal, performance anxiety, or nervous system “overdrive” may feel measurable calming and emotional ease after Reiki sessions.
Relaxation and nervous-system regulation go hand in hand with better sleep. While there are fewer direct trials on sleep alone, research on anxiety and stress reduction naturally supports improved rest. Many clients report deeper sleep patterns following Reiki sessions — consistent with research on relaxation therapies and parasympathetic activation seen in Reiki studies. Truthfully, many clients go into a deep trance-like sleep during their Reiki sessions and report vivid visions, insights and dreams after their sessions.
A Large-Scale Effectiveness Trial of Reiki (2019)
This is one of the largest real-world studies on Reiki ever conducted.
Rather than being limited to a small lab setting, this study collected data from Reiki practitioners across the United States, capturing what actually happens in everyday Reiki sessions with real clients. Participants completed standardized surveys immediately before and after their Reiki session.
This 2019 largescale study at Harvard University collected data from a total of 1,411 Reiki sessions. They were looking at the effects of Reiki on both physical and mental health symptoms including but not limited to, pain, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, shortness of breath, appetite, and depression. The results showed that all symptoms were significantly improved following a single Reiki session.
All results were highly significant; In simple terms: people felt meaningfully better — physically and emotionally — after a single Reiki session.
Easing Depression & Grief
Reiki’s calming influence on the nervous system also supports emotional processing. Some controlled studies report Reiki reduces depressive symptoms when compared to control groups, suggesting Reiki can play a role in holistic mental-health care.
This aligns with what many clients notice: a softening of emotional heaviness, greater acceptance, and a profound sense of peace during transitions like divorce, loss, and grief.
While the scientific literature on Reiki and depression is still growing, published studies do suggest that Reiki may support emotional well-being and help reduce depressive symptoms in certain contexts.
A clinical trial in adults found that Reiki reduced depression, anxiety, and pain more than a wait-list control condition.
Longer-term Reiki (weekly sessions over several weeks) has been associated with significant decreases in depression scores compared with sham or standard care.
Integrative reviews report that Reiki is linked with improvements in emotional outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression) across diverse populations.
At the same time, experts note that more large-scale, rigorous studies are needed to draw firm conclusions about Reiki’s effectiveness specifically for depression.
What does this mean for you? Reiki may offer gentle support for emotional healing — helping people feel calmer, more balanced, and less weighed down by heavy emotions. While Reiki is not a replacement for clinical mental health treatment, many clients find it comforting and supportive as part of their overall wellness journey.
📄 Link to study: Effects of Reiki on Anxiety, Depression, Pain and Physiological Factors — Journal of Gerontological Nursing (older adults, randomized)
📄 Link to study: Reiki more effective than placebo for depression in chronic illness (Erdogan & Cinar 8-week study summary)
📄 Link to study: Systematic reviews reporting Reiki’s effects on stress, anxiety, and depression: Research review summaries
📄 Link to study: Cochrane review (2015) on Reiki for depression & anxiety
Increasing Energy & Overall Well-Being
Reiki’s calming effect doesn’t just soothe — it also restores balance, which can enhance energy levels and a sense of well-being. Studies that measure quality of life (a multidimensional health outcome) show positive changes in overall well-being after Reiki therapy.
This may be especially meaningful for clients coping with chronic conditions or fatigue from life transitions, caregiving, or long-term stress.
📄 Link to study: Effects of Reiki therapy on quality of life: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Deep Relaxation & the Body’s Natural Healing Response
Participants in Reiki research often describe the experience as “dreamy,” “safe,” and “grounded,” echoing what many clients describe after sessions at The Reiki Sanctuary. Deep relaxation itself supports the body’s innate healing rhythms — lowering cortisol, softening muscle tension, and encouraging emotional release.
Research reviews consistently note reductions in pain and discomfort following Reiki treatments. Some trials demonstrate statistically significant decreases in self-reported pain following Reiki compared to control conditions.
Clients with chronic pain — including those with cancer, autoimmune conditions, and post-surgical discomfort — frequently experience pain relief as part of the nervous-system calming and relaxation response.
📄 Link to study: Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults: An In-Depth Literature Review of Randomized Trials with Effect Size Calculations
Supporting Tissue Healing (After Injury/Surgery) & Other Therapeutic Processes
Though the clinical literature here is emerging, an array of Reiki studies — including hospital-based interventions — suggests Reiki can complement conventional healing by reducing stress, anxiety, and pain, which are known biological impediments to recovery.
Lower stress responses and relaxed physiology create a more favorable internal environment for healing at cellular and systemic levels.
📄 Links to studies: Current Status of Reiki Research 2024
Supporting Other Medical & Therapeutic Healing
While caregiver-specific research is still limited, Reiki’s documented effects on stress and nervous-system balance strongly support its use as a tool for caregiver resilience and compassion-fatigue mitigation.
In practice, many healthcare workers, shelter staff, and rescue volunteers report deeper emotional grounding and renewal after Reiki — aligning with research on reduced stress and improved well-being.
📄 Link to study: The Effect of Reiki Applied to Cancer Patients on Pain, Anxiety, and Stress Levels: A Randomized Controlled Study
Animal Clients: Anxiety, Bonding & Pain Support
Reiki is becoming more common in clinical and wellness settings for animals because it helps reduce fear, supports relaxation, and soothes discomfort. While rigorous animal studies are fewer than human ones, the broader research on relaxation, stress, and nervous-system regulation naturally translates to animal companions — especially during boarding, grooming, procedures, and transitions such as loss or chronic illness.
This study found a significant reduction in heart rate (HR) and behavioral signs of stress in horses following Reiki sessions. The results suggested that Reiki treatment elicits a calming and relaxing effect on horses. 📄 Link to study: The effects of Reiki on the heart rate of horses
Reiki, but not sham Reiki, significantly reduced HR compared to initial values. With Reiki, there was a high correlation between change in HR and initial HR, suggesting a homeostatic effect. Reiki, but not sham Reiki, significantly reduced the rise in HR produced by exposure of the rats to loud noise. 📄 Link to study: Reiki Improves Heart Rate Homeostasis in Laboratory Rats
A Clinical Study on Reiki for Dogs
I'm always moved by the growing body of research exploring how Reiki can support the well-being of animals — and one especially heartening study was recently published in the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) Journal. In this clinical study, veterinarian Dr. Claudia Ruga Barbieri (DVM, MS, MBA) explored the effects of distance Reiki on dogs experiencing pain, with a focus on quality of life and overall well-being. The results were deeply encouraging. Dogs who received distance Reiki showed significant reductions in pain compared to those in the control group. Over the six-week study period, 100% of the dogs receiving Reiki experienced improvement in their pain levels, with 70% showing “excellent” or “moderate” relief. These findings offer beautiful, tangible support for what so many animal companions and their humans already sense intuitively — that gentle, intentional energy work can help animals feel more comfortable, more at ease, and more supported in their healing journey. 📄 Link to study: Impact of Distant Reiki on Owner Assessment of Health and Wellbeing of Adult Dogs: A Blinded, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Trial
Reiki in Companion Animal Care
The review noted that Reiki is increasingly used in veterinary settings for anxiety reduction, pain management, and end-of-life care. The study highlighted that animals undergoing Reiki often become calmer, more affectionate, and more resilient to environmental stressors.
Common behavioral changes include:
Decreased restlessness or pacing
Increased tolerance to touch and grooming
Reduced aggression or fear-based reactions
Enhanced sociability with humans and other animals
Improved sleep patterns and eating behavior
📄 Link to Study: The Use of Reiki in Companion Animal Care: A Review of Its Applications in Dogs and Cats
Reiki & Fertility: What the Research Says
Many people on a fertility journey choose Reiki to help support stress relief, emotional balance, and nervous system calm, all of which are important for overall reproductive health.
Current scientific evidence does not show that Reiki directly increases conception or pregnancy rates; high-quality clinical studies linking Reiki to fertility outcomes are not yet available. However, research does support Reiki’s ability to reduce stress and encourage deep relaxation — benefits that are widely understood to support hormone regulation, anxiety reduction, and emotional resilience during fertility planning and fertility treatments like IVF. Some key findings from research:
Stress and Hormone Regulation: Research indicates that Reiki significantly reduces cortisol levels and anxiety, which may indirectly support healthy hormone balance and regular menstrual cycles.
Assisted Reproduction (IVF/IUI) Support: Studies, including ongoing trials, evaluate the impact of Reiki on outcomes for assisted reproduction techniques. Reiki is often used before procedures to reduce anticipatory anxiety and during the "two-week wait" to manage stress.
Improved Blood Flow: Some studies suggest regular Reiki sessions may improve circulation, potentially enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery to reproductive organs.
Psychological Benefits: A meta-analysis published in 2025 confirmed that Reiki therapy markedly enhances the overall quality of life and reduces tension and mental confusion.
Many clients find that Reiki helps them feel more grounded, calmer, and connected to their bodies during a time that can otherwise feel overwhelming — making it a supportive and gentle complement to conventional fertility care.
Here are a few helpful links if you are on a fertility journey:
Clinical trial measuring meditation and Reiki in assisted reproduction (ongoing research): 📄 Link to study: Impact of Meditation and Reiki on Assisted Reproduction Techniques Outcomes
General info about Reiki and its use for stress relief (review of effects on nervous system):
📄 Link to study: Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy
📄 Link to study: Biofield and manipulative therapies for emotional wellbeing and fertility: Reiki
Reiki on Pain After Cesarean Delivery
This 2016 study measured the effects of Reiki on Pain when Reiki was applied to the Incision area of the body after cesarean section surgery. A reduction in pain of 76.06% was determined in the Reiki group patients between day 1 post-op and after application on the second day. It was concluded that Reiki applied for 15 minutes to the incision area after a cesarean operation had the expected effects on pain and the need for the use of analgesics.
In another study Reiki application reduced the intensity of pain, anxiety, and breathing rates, as well as the need for and number of analgesics. Reiki application as a nursing intervention is recommended as a pain and anxiety-relieving method in women after cesarean delivery.
Reiki in Palliative Care, Hospice Care, and End-of-life Support
Reiki is increasingly used in hospice and palliative care settings as a gentle, non-invasive complement to conventional medical care. While larger clinical trials are still emerging, existing studies and reviews consistently point toward benefits in reducing symptoms that matter deeply for people at the end of life — including pain, anxiety, fatigue, and emotional distress, as well as improvements in comfort, quality of life, and well-being.
This review specifically explored how Reiki has been used in palliative care settings and found preliminary evidence suggesting Reiki can reduce pain, decrease anxiety/depression, and improve quality of life for those at the end of life. However, it also notes that there aren’t yet enough studies for definitive conclusions — while encouraging further research.
These findings support Reiki’s role as a comfort-oriented, person-centered therapy — especially meaningful for people in transitions like advanced illness, hospice care, and end-of-life journeys.
📄 Link to study: Reiki therapy for pain, anxiety and quality of life
This study looked at hospice patients and caregivers who received Reiki and found positive physical sensations and symptom relief (including comfort, calm, relaxation), suggesting that Reiki may support the comfort of people nearing end of life and also support caregivers.
📄 Link to study: Reiki for Hospice Patients and Their Caregivers: An In-Depth Qualitative Study of Experiences and Effects on Symptoms (S720)
This was an Acupressure/Reiki study with stage III–IV cancer patients in palliative care, In this randomized controlled design, Reiki significantly reduced pain, fatigue, and analgesic use among palliative care cancer patients, suggesting Reiki can be an effective, non-invasive supportive therapy in symptom management.
An integrative review of studies involving hospice and end-of-life outcomes found that complementary therapies (including biofield therapies such as Reiki) are commonly used and often associated with improvements in physical symptoms (pain, dyspnea, fatigue) and psychosocial/spiritual outcomes (anxiety, depression, well-being) — though methodological limitations exist.
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