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Massage + Reiki Treatments: Clinical Trial Results
Randomized Controlled Trial – Stress & Anxiety Reduction
Location: Institute for Integrated and Oriental Therapy, São Paulo, Brazil
Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem • 2016
Treatment Group Comparison
🏆 Massage + Reiki
Massage + Rest
Control Group
Direct Comparison: All Three Treatment Groups
Percentage reduction after 8 sessions over 1 month
🏆 Key Finding: Adding Reiki to Massage Produces Superior Results
Stress Reduction: Massage + Reiki achieved 33% reduction (statistically significant vs control, p = 0.014)
Anxiety Reduction: Massage + Reiki (21%) outperformed Massage + Rest (16%) – that’s 31% MORE anxiety relief when Reiki is added!
Effect Size: Very large clinical effect for Massage + Reiki (Cohen’s d = 1.18 for anxiety)
This demonstrates that combining Reiki with massage creates a synergistic effect beyond massage alone.
Study Methodology
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of massage and Reiki treatments in reducing stress and anxiety
Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel groups
Duration: 8 treatment sessions over 1 month (2015)
Setting: Institute for Integrated and Oriental Therapy, São Paulo, Brazil
Interventions:
- Group 1 (Massage + Rest): Massage therapy followed by rest period
- Group 2 (Massage + Reiki): Massage therapy followed by Reiki treatment
- Group 3 (Control): No intervention
Measurement Tools:
- Stress Systems List (Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory)
- State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Statistical Analysis: ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) for between-group comparisons; Effect sizes calculated using Cohen’s d
Key Statistical Findings:
- Stress reduction G2 vs G3: p = 0.014, Cohen’s d = 0.78 (large effect)
- Anxiety reduction: p < 0.01 for both intervention groups vs control
- Anxiety G2: Cohen’s d = 1.18 (very large effect)
- Anxiety G1: Cohen’s d = 1.14 (very large effect)
Study Participants & Design
Initial Sample
122 people
Group 1
Massage + Rest
Group 2
Massage + Reiki
Group 3
Control Group
Treatment Sessions
8 sessions
Study Duration
1 month
Clinical Significance
This randomized controlled trial demonstrates that combining massage with Reiki treatments produces superior outcomes compared to massage alone or no intervention. The large effect sizes (Cohen’s d > 0.78) indicate clinically meaningful improvements in both stress and anxiety levels. This provides evidence-based support for integrative approaches using complementary therapies together.
You can find the original paper here.
Kurebayashi LFS, Turrini RNT, Souza TPB, Takiguchi RS, Kuba G, Nagumo MT. Massage and Reiki used
to reduce stress and anxiety: Randomized Clinical Trial. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem. 2016;24:e2834.
[Access 20-10-2025 ]; Available in: https://www.academia.edu/51209434/Massage_and_Reiki_used_to_reduce_stress_and_anxiety_Randomized_Clinical_Trial. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.1614.2834.
