A new CRR scoping review examining Reiki research highlights an important challenge in evaluating Reiki scientifically: how to design an appropriate sham Reiki control.

Just published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, the open access Investigation and Assessment of Sham Reiki Protocols in Reiki Research investigated the prevalence of including sham groups in published studies, types of sham protocols used, the training and types of sham practitioners, and whether the sham procedures produced a placebo effect.

Researchers Ann Baldwin, Patricia DeLeon, and Natalie Dyer reviewed 154 published Reiki studies and found that only 35 (22%) met their inclusion criteria for having a sham Reiki protocol that could be meaningfully assessed. The review examined how sham practitioners were trained, how closely sham procedures resembled genuine Reiki, and whether participants could distinguish between the two conditions.

The findings point to substantial variation in sham Reiki methodology. Additionally, differences in practitioner behavior, intention, positioning, communication, or treatment procedures can unintentionally reveal which participants are receiving genuine Reiki.

The authors emphasize that poorly designed sham controls can weaken the validity of clinical trials and make it difficult to determine whether observed outcomes are attributable specifically to Reiki or to nonspecific effects associated with receiving an intervention.

For Reiki research to advance, the study underscores the need for standardized, carefully validated sham protocols. Stronger control methods could improve the rigor, reproducibility, and credibility of future Reiki clinical trials.

Did you know it costs approximately $3,500 to publish an open access paper? If you find this content useful, please help CRR publish more open access papers and donate today.

Research Overview

CRR director Patricia DeLeon (left), an Associate Professor of Biology and Nutrition at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, with assistance from CRR director Ann Thompson (right), a Certified Medical Reiki Master, is researching the impact of Reiki on the growth of human cancer cells.

Experimental Approach and Findings

The initial phase of the study consisted of three rounds of experiments, in which breast cancer cells received either Reiki or sham Reiki treatments. Across all three rounds, the results consistently showed that cells receiving Reiki exhibited reduced growth compared to the control group. Both Reiki and placebo groups displayed similar outcomes when treated with a single dose—15 minutes per day over three days. However, when the treatment frequency increased to two 15-minute sessions daily, a clear distinction emerged: the Reiki-treated cells demonstrated a more pronounced reduction in growth compared to those receiving the placebo. The latest set of experiments aimed to gather further statistical data, seeking a p-value of less than 0.05, and to assess the sustainability of Reiki’s effects over time.

Next Steps and Support 

Building on these promising results, the researchers plan to replicate the experiments using nematode C. elegans. This will allow the researchers to collect in vivo data and extend their findings beyond in vitro studies. Continued support is essential to keep this research moving forward. Help advance this important work and donate to CRR today.