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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
2013 · Vol. 14(8) · pp. 4931–4933
Demir M., Can G., Celek E. · Namık Kemal & Istanbul Universities, Turkey
Reiki Treatments
In this article:
Reiki Treatment = hands-on Reiki session given to a patient
Reiki = the spiritual energy itself
Note: This is a commentary article — it reviews and synthesises findings from multiple existing research studies on how Reiki treatments are used for symptom management in oncology settings. Not a single original study.
What this article is about
The purpose
Cancer patients experience pain, anxiety, fatigue, and distress that often outlast their treatment. This commentary explores how Reiki treatments can be integrated into oncology care — synthesising evidence from multiple studies on Reiki treatments for pain, comfort, and well-being in cancer patients.
The context
Between 36–81% of cancer patients in Turkey used complementary medicine alongside conventional treatment — similar high rates appear across Europe and the US. Reiki treatments are increasingly offered in hospitals, hospices, emergency departments, and oncology units worldwide.
What the research found — study by study
Olson et al. — Pain in advanced cancer patients
25 adults in palliative care with significant pain. Those who received Reiki treatments alongside standard opioid medication showed significant pain reduction — and also used less pain medication.
Reiki treatments reduced pain ↓ in palliative cancer care
Catlin & Taylor — Comfort during chemotherapy
189 patients receiving chemotherapy placed into three groups: standard care, placebo, or Reiki treatments. Reiki treatments were statistically significant in raising comfort and well-being after chemotherapy. The other two groups were not.
Reiki treatments significantly raised comfort and well-being ↑
Whelan & Wishnia — Nurses giving Reiki treatments
75% of nurses who gave Reiki treatments reported feeling more peaceful, calm, and relaxed while providing them — and felt increased job satisfaction. Reiki energy Reiki benefits the practitioner too.
Reiki treatments benefited practitioners as well as patients
What Reiki treatments address in oncology
Pain reduction Reiki Treatment
Multiple studies report Reiki treatments reduce both physical pain and the amount of pain medication required — especially significant in palliative cancer care.
Comfort and well-being Reiki Treatment
Reiki treatments raise comfort and well-being even during active chemotherapy infusion — making integration into infusion centres a practical possibility.
Anxiety and depression Reiki Treatment
Research shows Reiki treatments decrease anxiety and depression in cancer patients — symptoms often under-addressed in standard oncology care despite significantly affecting quality of life.
What the authors concluded
Reiki treatments are non-invasive, inexpensive, and technology-free. They can be offered to patients with cancer in hospitals and hospices with no reported adverse effects, addressing a wide range of cancer-related symptoms — pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue — alongside conventional care. The system of Reiki also benefits the practitioner, making it sustainable for oncology settings.
Demir M., Can G., Celek E. · Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention · 2013
What this means in practice
1
Reiki treatments are already in oncology wards. This article confirms Reiki treatments are offered in hospitals, hospices, emergency departments, and oncology units globally. Practitioners can work confidently in these settings.
2
Pain reduction is real and measurable. Multiple studies found Reiki treatments reduced pain scores and pain medication use in cancer patients — strong, clinically relevant evidence.
3
Reiki treatments can happen during chemotherapy. Sessions during infusions are feasible and effective — opening a significant door for Reiki practitioners to work within conventional treatment settings.
4
Giving Reiki treatments is beneficial for the practitioner too. Nurses who gave Reiki treatments reported feeling calmer and more satisfied in their work. Reiki energy Reiki flowing through the practitioner is reported consistently in the literature.
Demir M, Can G, Celek E. Use of Reiki for symptom management in oncology services. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2013;14(8):4931–4933. doi: 10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.8.4931.
If you would like to learn more about Reiki Treatments, how they work and what they can do for you, come and join my Shinpiden+ on-demand course.
Bronwen Logan
With over two decades of expertise, Bronwen Logan is one of the leading voices in the system of Reiki. A key founder in both the International House and Shibumi International Reiki Association, she's also penned multiple books on the system including The Reiki Sourcebook; The Japanese Art of Reiki, Beginning Reiki, Beginning Healing, The Art of Gratitude, The A-Z of Reiki, and Your Reiki Treatment as well developing many meditations to support students and teachers in this work. Apart from studying the Japanese aspects of the system, writing and working with animals is a core passion. Bronwen is also a co-founder of Reiki Women Podcast, a blog all about Reiki by women! You can find Bronwen teaching privately online or around the globe!
2 Comments
Thank you for posting this. I am level two and looking to obtain Master level. I recently had a session with someone with cancer and they reported feeling less anxiety and more at peace. I hope to continue to learn and see where this Reiki journey takes me.
Hi Michelle, That’s fantastic news. If you click on research in the blog section you will also find more Reiki research and also more directly to do with cancer. I hope it supports you!
x B