The Science of Reiki Part 2 – A Deep Dive Into the Research
Video version
Episode Notes
In Part 2 of The Science of Reiki, Stacey and Charity dive into the research. What does the science say about Reiki for anxiety, depression, and burnout? What did studies using Reiki with mental health professionals working in community mental health show? Can Reiki prevent secondary trauma in professionals? We find the answers in part 2!
A full list of 166 published scientific studies may be found at The Center for Reiki Research
As mentioned in the episode: You can see Stacey’s Reiki lineage on the Kaya Holistic Wellness website
Stacey’s Reiki Master Teachers, Krista Tew and Jina Daniels can be found at Reiki4Life
Research studies mentioned in this episode in chronological order:
Effects Of Reiki Treatment On Anxiety And Depression: A Randomized Control Trial. Porter, et al. International Journal of Healing and Caring. 2012.
Design: 76 individuals, randomly recruited with flyers at coffee shops, grocery stores, etc. 1 treatment group 1 no intervention group. 3 weekly treatments, 60 min each. Anecdotal reports of: pain reduction, improved sleep, and greater mental clarity.
Outcome measures used: The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory™ and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale
Conclusion of study: Findings indicate approximately 10% reduction in State Anxiety, Trait Anxiety and Depression after completion of the three Reiki treatments. These reductions were maintained at the 30-day Post-Intervention measure.
“The restoration of balance achieved with Reiki treatments suggests that medical science might benefit from research in the promotion of wellness and prevention of illness rather than focusing on disease management. This study focuses on the effectiveness of Reiki in reducing anxiety and depression, which may affect physical wellness. At this early stage in Reiki research, the focus must be on empirically measurable effects of treatment, rather than on how it works. We hope, however, this study and others like it may encourage further inquiry into the science of energy medicine and spiritual healing.”
The Effects of Reiki Treatment on Mental Health Professionals at Risk for Secondary Traumatic Stress: A Placebo Control Study. M. Novoa, D. Cain. Best Practices in Mental Health Vol. 10, Issue 1. 2014.
I was unable to find a full PDF, only summaries.
Design: Due to being unable to access full text, I could not determine how many Reiki sessions were given and over what period of time. The study used a placebo control design of one group receiving no intervention.
67 participants, 61% were Master of social work students, 34% were working Master level social workers, and 5% were licensed professional counselors.
Outcome measures used: Pre and post test, which one(s) were used not specified.
Conclusion of study: No significant differences in risk levels for secondary traumatic stress between the groups were found.
Reiki Reduces Burnout Among Community Mental Health Clinicians. Rosada, et al. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. 2015 Aug, 21.
Design: A placebo controlled study, Reiki v “sham” reiki. Professionals received one 30 min session of chair Reiki, on sight at their workplace once per week for 6 weeks. 45 masters level or higher clinicians, with a median of 9 years in community mental health, who work at least 30 hours per week. Clinicians worked in 1 of 4 community mental health centers around New England.
Outcome Measures: The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) and the Measure Your Medical Outcome Profile Version 2 (MYMOP-2)
Conclusion of study: Reiki was statistically significantly better than “sham” Reiki in reducing burnout among community mental health clinicians.
Other Studies Discussed in this Episode:
- The effect of Reiki on depression in elderly people living in nursing home. Zeynep Erdogan & Sezgi Cinar. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 15(1), January 2016.
- The Impact of Psychotherapeutic Reiki on Anxiety. Webster, et al. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, Volume 15. 2020.
- Reiki as nursing care to people in mental suffering: an integrative review. Santos, et al. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem. April 2021.
- The effect of Reiki on pain: A meta-analysis. M. Dogan. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Volume 44. August 2021.
- The effects of Reiki treatment on mental health professionals who are at risk of burnout. S. Ijaz, F. Rafaq, F. Shafiq. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies. 2022.
- Effect of Reiki on Measures of Well-Being in Low-Income Patients with Mental Health Diagnoses. Prasad, et al. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health. 2025, Feb 28.
- The Effect of Reiki Applied to Cancer Patients on Pain, Anxiety, and Stress Levels: A Randomized Controlled Study. Kavehci, et al. Seminars in Oncology Nursing. April 2025.
- Reiki for decrease postmenopausal symptoms and depression: a randomized clinical trial. E. Baransel, T. Uçar.Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira. 2025, Aug 8.