Patients who received 20 minutes of Reiki treatment within three days of suffering a heart attack showed improved outcomes.

The responses of three groups of patients, to non-invasive, non-drug interventions, were studied. The first group rested quietly, the second group listened to classical music, and the third group received Reiki. . The first group rested quietly, the second group listened to classical music, and the third group received Reiki. Patients in the group who received Reiki showed the greatest improvement in mood and heart rate variability (HRV). HRV is a key predictor of patient’s tendency to suffer another heart attack.

Amongst the researchers who conducted this important study was Pamela Miles, who was a keynote speaker at Reiki Australia’s 3rd National Reiki conference in 2006. Pamela says, that as far as she knows, this is the first time a study on the effects of Reiki has been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Download the medical paper here and share it with your doctor.

The purpose of this integrative review is to begin the systematic process of evaluating the findings of published Reiki research. The review includes a summary of Reiki studies using a table to illustrate the study descriptions, and Reiki treatment protocols specified in the investigations.

The reviewer points to a number of challenges for Reiki researchers, such as research design, and whether “sham” Reiki is really inert.

Fatigue is an extremely common side effect experienced during cancer treatment and recovery. This research examined the effects of Reiki on fatigue, pain, anxiety, and overall quality of life. Promising results indicate that future research should further investigate the impact of Reiki on patients receiving trearment for cancer.

This study explores the phenomenon of Reiki as a healing modality on older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia who experience depression and/or anxiety. Reiki is practiced in over 25 clinical settings in the United States.

Study start: January 2006

The purpose of this study is to determine whether physiological changes are induced during a Reiki session and whether a Reiki session affects responses to a subsequent acute stressor. Secondary research questions include assessing which benefits result from placebo, empathetic intentions, or unique abilities of “attuned” Reiki practitioners and assessing background characteristics of recipients that are associated with acceptance and responsiveness.

Study start: April 2005

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Reiki energy healing affects anxiety and disease progression in patients with localized prostate cancer who are candidates for radical prostatectomy.

The Solaris Centre in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, is working in collaboration with Professor Linda Kristjanson from Edith Cowan University to conduct and analyse our research results. Some 564 patients received 1,151 treatments between August 2002 and January 2004. 70.5 % of these patients identified themselves as having cancer and 55% of these have breast cancer.

Reiki, Aromatherapy and Pranic healing were the most used therapies. Their research shows significant improvements in Quality of Life outcomes and Symptom Control for cancer patients accessing supervised touch based complementary therapy treatments. This research is presently being prepared for publication.

Study start: January 2003
Study completion: February 2005

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Reiki in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM), a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain and stiffness, often accompanied by sleep disturbance, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and psychological distress.

Reiki is a form of energy medicine in which practitioners reportedly access universal life energy to heal patients, either by direct contact at specific hand positions or from a distance.

The authors give an overview of Reiki, its history as a spiritual and personal healing practice, and its classification within Complementary and Alternative therapies.

The article discusses issues related to introducing Reiki into clinical programs and hospitals, looks at current research and proposes future directions for Reiki research.

Study start: March 2002
Study completion: September 2003

The purpose of this study will investigate the use of Reiki, an energy-based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) intervention, as an approach to improve well-being for patients with advanced AIDS, and evaluate its effects on dimensions of well-being and quality of life.

In 2002 the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Medway, Sittingbourne and an open minded GP from Dartford referred 13 patients to the Reiki Research Foundation for treatment. Each patient was seen for 1.5 hrs once a week for 12 weeks and the effects of Reiki treatment on symptoms such as pain, depression, lethargy, bowel and urinary disfunction etc were evaluated. This is a most informative link that would interest any Reiki practitioner working with sufferers from MS, and details research of the Reiki Research Foundation. It gives a detailed evaluation of the results following the treatment of a small group of MS patients with Reiki.

Reiki as intervention: Paper delivered by Eileen Chapman and Geraldine Milton at the BRAVE NEW WORLD, WFTC 21st World Conference. Carlton Crest, Melbourne. 17th-22nd February, 2002. (11 pages)

A study on the effects of provision of Reiki treatments to clients experiencing withdrawal symptoms over a ten year period at the Windana Society Drug and Alcohol withdrawal centre in Melbourne. The study cites effective alleviation of the physical and psychosocial stresses occurring during withdrawal and recovery.

Study start: September 1998
Study completion: June 2004

The object of this study is to determine if Reiki will improve glycemic control and cardiac autonomic function diabetic patients with painful neuropathy.

*Conference Proceedings, Pathways to Healing: Enhancing life Through
Complementary Therapies. Sept 24-5, 1995. Canberra. Royal College of
Nursing.* (11 pages)

“The benefits of Reiki treatment in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs”. Authors: G. Milton and and E. Chapman

• The paper presented the processes and client outcomes of Reiki treatments over a two 2 year period in a Melbourne based residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
• Findings suggest improvements in health outcomes particularly during first weeks of drug withdrawal
• Further evidence suggests that treatments accelerated the detoxification process.
• Suggestion that he counselling process was facilitated by insights experienced by recipients during treatment.
• Suggestion that those that learned Reiki coped better with group therapy sessions and with bouts of depression on return to the wider community.