Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults: An In-Depth Literature Review of Randomized Trials with Effect Size Calculations

Abstract

Objective To calculate the effect of Reiki therapy for pain and anxiety in randomized clinical trials. Data Sources A systematic search of PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane, PsychInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science, Global Health, and Medline databases was conducted using the search terms pain, anxiety, and Reiki. The Center for Reiki Research was also examined for articles. Study Selection Studies that used randomization and a control or usual care group, used Reiki therapy in one arm of the study, published in 2000 or later in peer-reviewed journals in English, and measured pain or anxiety were included. Results After removing duplicates, 49 articles were examined and 12 articles received full review. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria: four articles studied cancer patients; one examined post-surgical patients; and two analyzed community dwelling older adults. Effect sizes were calculated for all studies using Cohen’s d statistic. Effect sizes for within group differences ranged from d=0.24 for decrease in anxiety in women undergoing breast biopsy to d=2.08 for decreased pain in community dwelling adults. The between group differences ranged from d=0.32 for decrease of pain in a Reiki versus rest intervention for cancer patients to d=4.5 for decrease in pain in community dwelling adults. Conclusions While the number of studies is limited, based on the size Cohen’s d statistics calculated in this review, there is evidence to suggest that Reiki therapy may be effective for pain and anxiety. Continued research using Reiki therapy with larger sample sizes, consistently randomized groups, and standardized treatment protocols is recommended.

An exploratory study of reiki experiences in women who have cancer

“…Our findings correlate with other studies and systematic reviews that demonstrated benefits of Reiki including increased well-being (Catlin & Taylor-Ford, 2011), reduced fatigue and mood disturbance (Post-White et al, 2003) and lowered pain and anxiety (Thrane & Cohen, 2014). Other studies have shown that people having Reiki partly do so to take control and to promote self-management and self-healing (Kelly et al, 2004).…”

Effects of Reiki on Post-cesarean Delivery Pain, Anxiety, and Hemodynamic Parameters: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Nurses can become attuned and provide Reiki to their patients frequently at no cost (Crawford, Leaver, & Mahoney, 2006;Thrane & Cohen, 2014). Therefore, nurses can use Reiki as part of the application of nonpharmacologic therapeutic interventions for pain management.…”

Considerations for Complementary and Alternative Interventions for Pain

“…While many energy modalities are not well studied, several reviews provide evidence‐based information that can be helpful to patients who are dealing with pain and who may wonder if CAM can augment traditional pain relief treatment. Although little high‐quality research has been done on the effect of Reiki on pain, Thrane and Cohen 34 conducted a literature review with effect‐size calculations and found that Reiki may be effective in reducing pain and anxiety in adults, though larger studies are needed. A Cochrane review of the literature on healing touch, therapeutic touch, and Reiki combined revealed a modest effect in pain relief, though the authors comment that the larger therapeutic effects were attributed to the Reiki studies and that the experience of the practitioner played a role in the effectiveness of the therapy 35 …”