Reiki · Science · Evidence
Does Reiki Work? What Research Says About Stress and Sleep
Evidence Grade · Relaxation Response · Placebo Effect · How to Read Research
“Does Reiki healing really work, or is it a psychological effect?” Questions about energy healing are healthy and reasonable. As a centre teaching Usui Reiki, we believe the responsible approach is to present research honestly, including supportive findings, unsupportive findings and what remains unknown.
This article will introduce conclusions from NCCIH, Cochrane systematic reviews, comprehensive analyses, and randomised controlled trials in evidence grade, followed by discussions on relaxation response, placebo effect, and how to read Reiki research.
⚠️ Important Statement: Reiki is an auxiliary relaxation and self-care method, not a diagnostic or treatment method for any disease, nor can it replace medical treatment. If you have any health issues, please consult a registered doctor first.
At a glance
Current research is insufficient to establish Reiki's effectiveness for any health purpose. NCCIH and Cochrane find the evidence insufficient or low quality. Some small studies and a meta-analysis report improvements in relaxation or anxiety measures, but studies differ substantially. Harmful effects have not been observed. Reiki may complement relaxation but should not be regarded as medical treatment.
In this article
Evidence Table
1. Table of Reiki Research Evidence
| Source | Type | Conclusion | Points to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health) | Summary from an authoritative organisation | Not proven effective for any health purpose; no harmful effects found; no scientific evidence supporting the existence of the energy field it refers to | An official overall assessment |
| Cochrane Systematic Review (2015) | Systematic review | Insufficient evidence to determine if Reiki is effective for anxiety or depression | Only 3 studies, totaling about 62 participants |
| Comprehensive analysis in BMC Palliative Care (2024) | Systematic review and meta-analysis | 13 randomized controlled trials, 824 participants: Reiki group showed significant reduction in anxiety scores | Significant variation between studies (I² = 88.5%) |
| Díaz-Rodríguez et al. (2011) | Randomised, single-blind, sham-Reiki-controlled crossover trial | 21 healthcare workers with burnout: Heart rate variability and body temperature increased after Reiki; cortisol showed no significant difference. | Small sample; measured only immediate effects |
| McManus（2017） | Literature review | In 13 placebo-controlled studies, 8 showed Reiki was more effective than placebo | A narrative review, rather than a systematic meta-analysis |
This table shows: higher evidence level (authority summaries, Cochrane) leads to more conservative conclusions; studies supporting Reiki are often small trials or narrative reviews.
Authorities
2. Conclusions from Authoritative Organisations
NCCIH
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the US National Institutes of Health, states:
- Reiki has been studied for pain, anxiety and depression, but most studies are low quality and their results are inconsistent.
- Reiki has not been clearly shown effective for any health purpose.
- There is no scientific evidence supporting the existence of Reiki's proposed energy field.
- Research has not identified harmful effects from Reiki.
Cochrane Systematic Review (2015)
Cochrane is an international organisation known for rigorous systematic reviews. Joyce and Herbison's 2015 review, searching literature up to November 2014, found only 3 eligible randomised controlled trials involving 25 participants with anxiety, 17 with depression and 20 unclassified participants. Results showed neither benefit nor harm from Reiki, and risk of bias was mostly unclear or high. The authors concluded that evidence was insufficient to determine whether Reiki helps people over 16 with anxiety or depression.
Supportive Studies
3. Studies Supporting Reiki
2024 Meta-Analysis on Anxiety
A 2024 review published in BMC Palliative Care, including 13 randomized controlled trials and 824 adult participants, found that the Reiki group had significantly lower anxiety scores (SMD = −0.82). Short-term (≤3 sessions) and mid-term (6–8 sessions) treatments showed consistent results for general adults and some chronic disease patients regarding health or procedural anxiety; however, the results were less consistent for preoperative anxiety and anxiety related to cancer patient mortality. The studies showed large differences (I² = 88.5%).
2011 Study on Heart Rate Variability
Díaz-Rodríguez et al. conducted a randomised, single-blind crossover trial with 21 healthcare workers experiencing burnout. Each received a 30-minute Reiki session from an experienced practitioner and a sham session from someone imitating the movements without Reiki training. After Reiki, heart rate variability (SDNN) and body temperature increased significantly compared with sham Reiki, while the low-frequency component (LF) decreased. Salivary cortisol and flow did not differ significantly. The researchers suggested this might reflect parasympathetic regulation.
Note: The sample size is only 21, there is only one practitioner, and only immediate effects were measured without assessing whether the burnout symptoms themselves improved.
2017 Literature Review
McManus reviewed English-language, placebo-controlled Reiki studies with at least 20 participants. Of 13 studies, 8 favoured Reiki over placebo, 4 found no difference (with questions about statistical power), and 1 clearly found no benefit. The author argued that Reiki had effects beyond placebo. This was a narrative review rather than a systematic meta-analysis, and its conclusions should be read alongside the assessments of the authoritative organisations above.
Relaxation Response
Four. Relaxation Response: Benson's research
In 1975, Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School proposed the 'Relaxation Response' (Relaxation Response), and published a book with the same name. He believed the Relaxation Response is the opposite of the 'emergency response' to stress, and is a physiological state that can be triggered through practice.
Four Elements That Elicit the Relaxation Response
- A mental focus: for example, repeating a word, sentence, or action to keep the mind from wandering.
- A passive attitude: not judging, gently bringing the thoughts back when they wander.
- A quiet environment.
- A comfortable posture.
Benson recommends practicing one to two times a day, for 10 to 20 minutes each time.
The Relationship with Reiki
A Reiki session or self-Reiki, which includes a quiet environment, comfortable posture, and passive attitude. This can be interpreted as why some people feel relaxed during Reiki, but this is a deduction: relaxation reactions can be triggered by multiple methods and cannot be used to prove the 'energy' of Reiki itself.
The memorial inscription of Mikao Usui records that he taught his students 'meditation with palms together, reciting the Five Reiki Principles daily'; reciting the Five Reiki Principles can be considered a 'mental focus'. The inscription is available at Mikao Usui 。
Stress
5. Reiki and Stress
What Research Can Tell Us
- A few small studies have shown that after Reiki, some physiological indicators, such as heart rate variability, may show temporary changes.
- A comprehensive analysis shows that the Reiki group had lower anxiety scores.
What Research Cannot Tell Us
- It cannot be explained that Reiki is more effective than other relaxation methods.
- It cannot establish whether effects persist.
- It cannot be explained that Reiki can treat any disease related to stress.
Practical Suggestions
Viewing Reiki as one of the tools for stress management, combined with sleep, exercise, and talking to others. Research evidence is relatively more for mindfulness meditation, see Comparison of Meditation, Seated Meditation, and Reiki ; for different applications, see Can Reiki help with insomnia, anxiety, and emotions? 。
Sleep
6. Reiki and Sleep
To be honest: currently, there is no high-quality research proving that Reiki can improve sleep. Many people fall asleep during Reiki sessions, reflecting the relaxing environment of the session, but this does not mean Reiki can cure insomnia.
First-Line Treatment for Insomnia
The American College of Physicians (ACP) 2016 clinical guidelines recommend CBT-I as the first-line treatment for adults with chronic insomnia. The Health Department states that insomnia is defined as difficulty sleeping three or more nights per week, lasting for three months, and affecting daily life.
The Role Reiki Can Play
Reiki can form part of a bedtime relaxation routine, such as 10 minutes of self-Reiki hand positions, alongside good sleep habits. For hand positions, see 12 Reiki Hand Positions for Self-Healing 。
Placebo
7. Understanding the Placebo Effect
What Is the Placebo Effect?
The placebo effect occurs when someone expects a treatment to work and experiences improvement even if the treatment has no specific effect. This phenomenon is widely documented in medical research.
“Sham Reiki” Studies
To distinguish Reiki from placebo effects, some studies ask people without Reiki training to imitate the same hand positions, known as sham Reiki. Some small studies find differences on certain measures, while others do not. With small samples and few practitioners, firm conclusions remain unavailable.
Two Different Questions
- Does the recipient feel relaxed? Many do feel relaxed.
- Does this relaxation come from Reiki “energy” itself? This has not yet been established.
Distinguishing these two questions helps us neither overstate nor fully dismiss, allowing for a rational choice.
How to Read Research
8. How to Read Reiki Research
| What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Sample size | With too few participants, chance factors can easily affect the results |
| Whether there is a control group | Without a control group, improvements cannot be attributed to Reiki. |
| What the control condition is | A sham-Reiki control helps distinguish placebo effects better than a no-treatment control. |
| Whether blinding is used | Keeping participants and assessors unaware of group allocation can reduce the influence of expectations. |
| What is measured | Subjective questionnaires and objective physiological measures each have limitations |
| Whether studies are consistent | When results vary greatly, pooled findings require cautious interpretation |
| Whether it is a systematic review | Systematic reviews are more reliable than narrative reviews of selected studies |
Reading from this perspective, one can understand why individual study results are positive, but authoritative bodies remain cautious
Our Position
9. The Soul Love Center's position
- Reiki is an auxiliary to relaxation and self-care: we do not claim Reiki can treat any disease.
- Provide a full disclosure of the current research status, including evidence supporting and opposing the practice.
- Respect for medical care: any health issue, please first consult a registered doctor.
- Value of self-cultivation: one of the core principles of Usui Reiki is the Five Reiki Principles — today, do not get angry, do not worry, be grateful, study diligently, and treat others with kindness. Even without discussing 'energy,' these are valuable life attitudes.
For our philosophy, see About Us ; for teacher information, see Our Teacher ; for an introduction to Usui Reiki, see What Is Usui Reiki? ; for the philosophical connection between the I Ching and Reiki, see The connection between I Ching Philosophy and Reiki Healing ; for integration of body, mind and spirit, see What is the integration of body, mind, and spirit? 。
Would You Like to Experience Reiki?
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Book a Reiki session | For a session offered by a practitioner, see Reiki Session Fees and What Happens During a Session |
| Usui Reiki Level 1 (HK$900) | Two attunements, learning self and the body-hand positions for others |
| Introductory Meditation and Insight Workshop (HK$480) | Mindfulness Foundation, Breathing and Awareness |
For all courses, see Our services ; for student experiences, see Student Testimonials (personal experiences vary between individuals).
FAQ
Reiki Science: Frequently Asked Questions
Is there scientific evidence for Reiki healing?
Research exists, but evidence is limited. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that Reiki has been studied for pain, anxiety and depression, but most studies are low quality and inconsistent. Reiki has not been clearly shown effective for any health purpose, and no scientific evidence supports its proposed energy field. Research has not found harmful effects.
What are the conclusions of Cochrane on Reiki?
A 2015 Cochrane systematic review (Joyce and Herbison) found only 3 eligible studies involving 25 participants with anxiety, 17 with depression, and 20 without specific classification, concluding that the evidence is insufficient to determine if Reiki is effective for individuals aged 16 and older with anxiety or depression.
Is There Research Supporting Reiki for Anxiety?
A comprehensive analysis published in 2024 in BMC Palliative Care includes 13 randomized controlled trials and 824 participants, showing that the Reiki group had significantly lower anxiety scores (SMD = -0.82), but there was considerable variation between studies (I² = 88.5%), so interpretation should be cautious.
Can Reiki Improve Sleep?
There is currently no high-quality evidence that Reiki improves sleep. The American College of Physicians' 2016 guideline recommends CBT-I as initial treatment for adults with chronic insomnia. Reiki should only complement bedtime relaxation.
Are Reiki's Effects Due to Placebo?
It is not yet determined. Some small studies using 'false Reiki' as a control found differences in heart rate variability, but the sample sizes were small; other studies did not find differences. The patient's expectations, a quiet environment, and the feeling of being cared for may all affect the results.
Can Reiki Replace Medical Care?
No. NCCIH advises against replacing conventional medical care with Reiki or using it to delay seeking care.
For more questions, see Frequently asked questions ; for all articles, see Article library ; for enquiries, see Contact us 。
Important disclaimer: This is educational information and does not constitute medical advice; research data should be referenced in its original form.
Understand the Evidence and Explore the Experience
If, after considering the limits of research, you would like to explore Reiki for relaxation and self-cultivation, discover Cathy's beginner course or book a Reiki session first.
