Scientific Evidence for Reiki

While such a description is inconsistent with current scientific understanding, its widespread use, coupled with anecdotal evidence of efficacy, prompts further investigation.

Research Results

The field of research for Reiki is still developing; most scientific studies on Reiki have been conducted on a small scale, in line with other alternative medicine. This means that it is not yet possible to perform meta-studies or provide medical advice. As with research on meditation and mindfulness, early studies on Reiki were flawed and the results of those studies therefore unreliable.

The Touchstone Process was therefore set up to evaluate the scientific literature in more detail. This research in 2010 confirmed the positive effect of Reiki on depression, anxiety, postoperative pain and pain in chronic diseases. ^[1]

Jain & Mills (2010) also showed that Reiki can reduce acute pain and fatigue in cancer and has a temporary positive effect in dementia (level 2 evidence). [2] The effect that Reiki offered was stronger than the effect in the control/placebo group. In recovery from chemotherapy, fatigue and cortisol levels decreased significantly. ^[3]

Other studies have not yet undergone such a review, and these results will need further investigation. Studies on the effect of burnout show a positive effect for both questionnaires ^[4] and biomarkers. ^[5] Research at Yale reported that Reiki had a similar effect to beta-blockers shortly after a heart attack. ^[6] In a pilot study on the recovery of oncology patients, a reduction in pain, anxiety and fatigue was also recorded after distance treatments. ^[7] In another pilot study, the Reiki group showed a significant reduction in pain, blood pressure, respiratory rate and a lower score on the trait anxiety scale after knee surgery. ^[8]

Conflicting results have also been found. In randomized controlled trials on pain relief, no effect was seen in a study on fibromyalgia. ^[9] This study is highly designed, and possible explanations for this are a treatment time that is too short with possibly sub-optimal conditions for healing. In addition, previous reviews are critical of the quality of studies ^[10,11] and Cochrane sees insufficient evidence to draw conclusions. ^[12] Thresholds for such research are described later in this article.

Presumed Mechanisms

Control for placebo effects

At first glance, Reiki seems to reduce the effects of stress in particular, and thus make a healthy contribution to body and mind. The criticism of Reiki focuses mainly on the lack of a scientific framework for an underlying effect and that, given current scientific knowledge, Reiki can therefore be nothing more than a placebo effect. ^[13]

Newer studies take this into account, because a Reiki treatment can also be successfully performed as a placebo. ^[14] In studies of simulated placebo treatments, the difference between the placebo treatment and real Reiki treatment was statistically significant. ^{[3,4,5,8,13,15]}

Effect in animals

Research on lab rats ^[16,17] and bacteria ^[18] also shows an effect. In rats, blood pressure decreased and there was less microvascular damage, which did not occur in the control group or simulated Reiki group. The bacterial cultures recovered faster from a heat shock. It can be concluded from this that the effect of Reiki is not a placebo effect - based on the psychological effect of attention and touch - but has a mechanism of action for which there is no scientific explanation yet. ^[13,15]

Biomarkers

In the search for this explanation, effects on the human body were also measured. During the Reiki treatment, an increase in Immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the saliva and decreases in cortisol levels, systolic blood pressure and anxiety were found. ^[19,20] During the treatment there was an increased skin temperature and the electromyogram (EMG) decreased.

There is also mounting evidence that Reiki’s mechanism activates the parasympathetic nervous system. ^[15] This nervous system brings the body into a state of rest and recovery. The typical yawning or increased intestinal activity during the Reiki treatment is because the body then switches from the sympathetic nervous system (for work or stress) to the parasympathetic nervous system (for rest and recovery).

Meditative Effects

Finally, experiences are tracked to gain insight into Reiki. Reiki recipients described experiencing a liminal or threshold state of consciousness between waking and dreaming; a heightened state of consciousness and sense of inner peace and calm. ^[19,20] This state is induced in many healing rituals and meditation/mindfulness practices (such as Yoga Nidra) and is seen as the optimal state for healing. ^[20] Possibly the positive effects of meditation and mindfulness also apply to Reiki. Other mind-body interventions are known to alter gene expression for inflammatory factors. ^[21]

A process of self-regulation

A Reiki treatment is described as dynamic, full of many subtle rapid changes and variations that indicate a “process of balance and self-regulation” in both the giver and receiver. ^[13,15] It is not clear how this occurs. Some researchers speculate that such a process takes place on a sub-physical level, the “biofield” or underlying subtle reality of an overall energy field. ^[13] However, the existence of such a field has not yet been proven and thus the domain of philosophical models rather than scientific theory.

Limitations for Research

A Reiki treatment is different from a conventional treatment, which is aimed at identifying the cause in order to combat a disease in a targeted manner. The Reiki treatment focuses on the entire body to remove imbalances and barriers that hinder natural recovery.

Descriptive studies therefore show paradoxical, yet holistic, experiences during a Reiki session. ^[20] Experiential stories in addiction care show recurring themes, such as a feeling of hope, reconsideration and perspective on a future ^[22] These are difficult to measure results that do contribute to faster recovery and a better chance of success for the intervention. While the study looks at a single outcome, a lasting effect may have developed at another measuring point. It is therefore questionable whether the linear research method is suitable to capture the holistic approach of Reiki.

In addition, the quality differs greatly between practitioners. With the spread of Reiki around the world, Ms. Takata’s high educational standards have largely disappeared. ^[13,15] As a result, it is not possible to make a general estimate of how good a practitioner is; a 1st degree student may be more advanced than a Reiki master. The decisive factor is not the degree obtained, but the inner development that a practitioner goes through by regularly treating himself with Reiki. ^[15]

Success factors, such as the number of treatments required, degree obtained, years of experience or frequency of the treatments are not known. A study can therefore be negative due to an incorrect study design, such as too short a treatment time or frequency, which are not representative of the actual practice of Reiki practitioners. Research does show that the effect of multiple treatments probably works cumulatively. ^[14] The practitioners well-being also influences the effectiveness of the healing. ^[18] It has not been investigated whether pressure to perform for the practitioner can also have such an influence on research results.

Discussion

In research into Reiki, a distinction can be made between whether there is evidence for its effect and what clinical applications it has. Although studies show that Reiki is more than a placebo, and has an effect on rats and bacteria, this is not yet a basis for targeted medical advice. Such advice requires a high degree of guarantee that the complaint can be solved by Reiki, which cannot be given due to conflicting research results, varying level of experience among practitioners, the lack of insight into success factors.

Patients benefit from Reiki, if only for its relaxing, soothing and balancing effect. This can also be used before and after surgery or intervention to speed recovery without adverse side effects. Reiki is therefore mainly used as a low-threshold intervention with little risk in addition to regular treatment ^[13], also in various hospitals. ^[23] This can have a positive effect on recovery and can be used as a supplement to medical treatment, but not as a replacement.

(updated with a few references in 2017)

References

1. ^ Baldwin, A. L., Vitale, A., Brownell, E., Scicinski, J., Kearns, M., & Rand, W. (2010). The touchstone process: an ongoing critical evaluation of Reiki in the scientific literature. Holistic Nursing Practice, 24(5), 260-276. doi:10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181f1adef
2. ^ Jain, S., & Mills, P. J. (2010). Biofield therapies: helpful or full of hype? A best evidence synthesis. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 17(1), 1-16. doi:10.1007/s12529-009-9062-4
3. ^ a b Jain, S., Pavlik, D., Distefan, J., Bruyere, R. R. L., Acer, J., Garcia, R., Coulter, I., Ives, J., Roesch, S. C., Jonas, W., & others (2012). Complementary medicine for fatigue and cortisol variability in breast cancer survivors. Cancer, 118(3). doi:10.1002/cncr.26345
4. ^ a b Rosada, R. M., Rubik, B., Mainguy, B., Plummer, J., & Mehl-Madrona, L. (2015). Reiki Reduces Burnout Among Community Mental Health Clinicians. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 21(8), 489-495. doi:10.1089/acm.2014.0403
5. ^ a b Díaz-Rodríguez, L., Arroyo-Morales, M., Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C., García-Lafuente, F., García-Royo, C., & Tomás-Rojas, I. (2011). Immediate effects of reiki on heart rate variability, cortisol levels, and body temperature in health care professionals with burnout. Biological Research for Nursing, 13(4), 376-382. doi:10.1177/1099800410389166
6. ^ Friedman, R. S., Burg, M. M., Miles, P., Lee, F., & Lampert, R. (2010). Effects of Reiki on autonomic activity early after acute coronary syndrome. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 56(12), 995-996. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2010.03.082
7. ^ Demir, M., Can, G., Kelam, A., & Aydiner, A. (2014). Effects of Distant Reiki On Pain, Anxiety and Fatigue in Oncology Patients in Turkey: A Pilot Study. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 16(12), 4859-4862.
8. ^ a b Baldwin, A. L., Vitale, A., Brownell, E., Kryak, E., & Rand, W. (2017). Effects of Reiki on Pain, Anxiety, and Blood Pressure in Patients Undergoing Knee Replacement: A Pilot Study. Holistic nursing practice, 31(2). doi:10.1097/HNP.0000000000000195
9. ^ Assefi, N., Bogart, A., Goldberg, J., & Buchwald, D. (2008). Reiki for the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(9). doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0068
10. ^ Lee, M. S., Pittler, M. H., & Ernst, E. (2008). Effects of reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. International journal of clinical practice, 62(6), 947-954. doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2008.01729.x
11. ^ VanderVaart, S., Gijsen, V. M., de Wildt, S. N., & Koren, G. (2009). A systematic review of the therapeutic effects of Reiki. the Journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 15(11). doi:10.1089/acm.2009.0036
12. ^ Joyce, J., & Herbison, G. P. (2015). Reiki for depression and anxiety. The Cochrane Library. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006833.pub2
13. ^ a b c d e f g Miles, P., & True, G. (2003). Reiki-review of a biofield therapy: history, theory, practice, and research. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 9(2), 1-16.
14. ^ a b Mansour, A., Beuche, M., Laing, G., Leis, A., & Nurse, J. (1998). A study to test the effectiveness of placebo Reiki standardization procedures developed for a planned Reiki efficacy study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 5(2).
15. ^ a b c d e f Miles, P. (2007). Reiki for mind, body, and spirit support of cancer patients. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 22(2), 20-26.
16. ^ Baldwin, A. L., Wagers, C., & Schwartz, G. E. (2008). Reiki improves heart rate homeostasis in laboratory rats. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(4), 417-422. doi:10.1089/acm.2007.0753
17. ^ Baldwin, A. L., & Schwartz, G. (2006). Personal interaction with a Reiki practitioner decreases noise-induced microvascular damage in an animal model. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 12(1). doi:10.1089/acm.2006.12.15
18. ^ a b Rubik, B., Brooks, A. J., & Schwartz, G. E. (2006). In vitro effect of Reiki treatment on bacterial cultures: Role of experimental context and practitioner well-being. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 12(1), 7-13.
19. ^ a b Wardell, D. W., & Engebretson, J. (2001). Biological correlates of Reiki Touchsm healing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 33(4), 439-445.
20. ^ a b c d Engebretson, J., & Wardell, D. W. (2002). Experience of a Reiki session. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 8(2), 48-53.
21. ^ Buric, I., Farias, M., Jong, J., Mee, C., & Brazil, I. A. (2017). What is the molecular signature of mind-body interventions? A systematic review of gene expression changes induced by meditation and related practices. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.00670
22. ^ Chapman, E., & Milton, G. (2002). Reiki as an intervention in drug and alcohol withdrawal and rehabilitation: almost a decade of experience.
23. ^ Hospitals and Clinics that offer Reiki sessions. (2011). Center for Reiki Research.