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Reiki, similar to therapeutic touch and reflexology, is a relaxing form of \u201cenergy therapy\u201d that is applied through gentle touch (or, no touch at all). Unlike many other forms of alternative medicine, its effects have been scientifically investigated\u2014but does it have a mechanism beyond the placebo effect? Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n
Reiki is an ancient Japanese form of<\/strong> stress<\/strong><\/a> reduction and<\/strong> relaxation<\/strong><\/a>. It involves a light, slow progression of hand positions just above or on the clothed body [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Each position during the session is held for approximately 5 minutes. Each session can be as short or as long as needed, although they generally last about 45 to 90 minutes [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A Reiki practitioner typically recommends 3 sessions. However, the specific amount is different for each person [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n According to The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIM), Reiki is based on an Eastern belief in an energy that supports the body\u2019s innate or natural healing abilities. Reiki healers believe that they can transfer this healing energy from the universe, through the practitioner and to the patient [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Traditionally, Reiki practitioners believe that this treatment deals with \u201csubtle energy,\u201d or a \u201cbiofield\u201d [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, several experiments have demonstrated that under rigorous testing conditions, practitioners of \u201ctherapeutic touch\u201d techniques (a term that includes Reiki, as well as other \u201calternative medicine\u201d techniques) were unable to sense a \u201cbiofield\u201d <\/strong>[R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Others have tried to explain Reiki\u2019s supposed effects using quantum physics, though they have no precise hypothesis as to how it would work [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n There is no scientific way to measure or detect the \u201cenergy\u201d that practitioners claim is central to Reiki<\/strong>, and so there is no evidence that Reiki actually works the way that its believers claim it does [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Alternatively, it could be argued that any health benefits of Reiki are just a placebo effect<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In fact, many studies that compare treatments with \u201creal\u201d and \u201csham\u201d (fake) Reiki find similar effects<\/strong> between the two, further suggesting that the placebo effect might be responsible [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Other studies, however, have reported Reiki has effects over and beyond various placebo conditions [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Nonetheless, a number of studies have found that Reiki may have benefits as a complementary<\/strong> treatment alongside conventional medicine [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Overall, if Reiki works primarily because of the placebo effect, it may be helpful to those who genuinely believe in it.<\/p>\n The FDA has not approved Reiki for any health condition or medical claim, largely because there is no conclusive evidence of Reiki working beyond the placebo effect. For the same reason, it is considered very safe, but it should never be used in place of something your doctor recommends or prescribes.<\/p>\n The following purported benefits are only supported by limited, low-quality clinical studies. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of Reiki for any of the below listed uses.<\/p>\n Reiki has been studied for its ability to reduce anxiety<\/a> in both healthy subjects and patients undergoing medical treatments.<\/p>\n While some studies claim that it can help, the evidence is mixed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A recent meta-review of reiki\u2019s potential as a complementary treatment in health and medicine concluded that Reiki is better than placebo in inducing a physically relaxed state<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A study evaluated the effects of Reiki as an alternative and complementary approach to treat pain, depression<\/a>, and anxiety in 20 senior citizens. Participants in the experimental group experienced relaxation,<\/strong> improved physical symptoms, and enhanced <\/strong>mood<\/strong><\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a 4-week case study, Reiki reduced stress, anxiety, and<\/strong> pain<\/strong><\/a> in 6 elderly patients with dementia [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, another systematic review of 3 randomized controlled trials, which included 25 people with anxiety, concluded that there is insufficient evidence to consider Reiki beneficial for anxiety <\/strong>[R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Reiki has also assisted as a complementary method in the treatment of other mental and physical problems. For example, in a pilot study, 21 subjects undergoing colonoscopy reported reduced <\/strong>heart rate<\/strong><\/a>, blood pressure, and breathing <\/strong>after Reiki therapy, indicating reduced anxiety<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The study also suggested that additional pain medication may not be needed<\/strong> for colonoscopy patients receiving reiki therapy [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, in a different study, 50 out of 100 patients undergoing heart surgery received Reiki. Levels of IL-6<\/a> (a protein that causes an inflammatory response) in the Reiki and control groups were similar after the surgery. The study concluded that Reiki has no significant clinical benefit<\/strong> on mechanisms that are scientifically measured [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Similarly, a randomized pilot study that tested reiki in 32 women undergoing breast biopsy did not find evidence that Reiki reduces anxiety<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A pilot study divided 90 elderly patients equally into reiki, sham Reiki placebo, and control. The Reiki group had decreased<\/strong> depression<\/strong><\/a> levels <\/strong>on the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, a systematic review of 3 RCTs that included 37 patients with anxiety or depression concluded that there is insufficient evidence to determine the usefulness of Reiki for depression<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>Practitioner Claims<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Other Possibilities<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Potential Health Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Insufficient Evidence For<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>1) Anxiety<\/h4>\n
<\/a>2) Depression<\/h4>\n