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October 16, 2025
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.
