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Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
December 2019 · Vol. 25(12) · pp. 1156–1162
Dyer N.L., Baldwin A.L., Rand W.L. · Harvard, University of Arizona & Center for Reiki Research
Reiki Treatments · Large-Scale Trial
In this study:
Reiki Treatment = a 45–90 min hands-on session given by a certified Reiki teacher*
Reiki = the spiritual energy itself
What this study is about
The question
Most Reiki treatment research happens in hospitals or clinical settings. But most people receive Reiki treatments in private practice. This landmark study asked: what actually happens when people receive Reiki treatments in the real world, as normally practised — in a teacher’s studio or private practice?
Why it’s significant
With 1,411 Reiki treatment sessions across 99 certified Reiki teachers in private practices across the United States, this is the largest effectiveness study of real-world Reiki treatments ever conducted. Every single outcome improved — all at P<.001.
The scale of the study
1,411
Reiki treatment sessions included in the analysis
99
certified Reiki teachers across the United States
11
health outcomes measured — every one improved significantly
How the study was designed
Setting
Private Reiki practices
Across the United States — where people actually receive Reiki treatments in everyday life
Practitioners
Certified Reiki teachers*
All licensed with the International Center for Reiki Training — active practices of at least 2 sessions per week
Session length
45–90 minutes
Standard full Reiki treatment sessions as normally practised — not shortened clinical versions
Measurement
Pre & post each session
Validated PANAS scale for affect, plus single-item measures for 9 physical and psychological symptoms
What improved — every single outcome (all P<.001)
Positive affect improvedEmotional wellbeing increased
Negative affect reducedDistressing emotions decreased
Pain reducedPhysical pain level decreased
Tiredness reducedFatigue and tiredness decreased
Drowsiness reducedMental fogginess decreased
Nausea reducedNausea levels decreased
Appetite improvedAppetite normalised
Shortness of breath reducedBreathing eased
Anxiety reducedAnxiety levels decreased
Depression reducedDepressive symptoms decreased
Overall well-being improvedGeneral sense of wellbeing increased
Be aware
- Single-arm study — no control group or sham Reiki, so placebo effects cannot be fully ruled out
- Participants self-selected to receive Reiki treatments — not randomly assigned
- Outcomes measured immediately after each session; no longer-term follow-up
- The sheer scale (1,411 sessions) and consistency across 99 practitioners give this study significant weight despite these limitations
What the researchers concluded
A single Reiki treatment session in a real-world private practice setting produces statistically significant improvements across every measure of physical and psychological health — including pain, tiredness, anxiety, depression, nausea, appetite, shortness of breath, and overall well-being. With 1,411 sessions across 99 Reiki teachers, these results are robust. This study demonstrates that Reiki treatments, as commonly practised, are effective in the way they are actually used — not just in controlled hospital trials.
Dyer, Baldwin & Rand · Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine · 2019
What this means in practice
1
This validates what Reiki teachers and practitioners do every day. This study was conducted in private practices — the same setting where most Reiki practitioners work. The results confirm measurable, consistent improvements across a remarkable range of health outcomes.
2
1,411 sessions is not a small pilot. This is the largest real-world Reiki treatment effectiveness study ever published. The scale makes this one of the most important papers in the Reiki research literature.
3
Reiki energy Reiki improves physical and emotional health together. Pain, nausea, shortness of breath, tiredness — alongside anxiety, depression, and emotional wellbeing — all improved in a single session. This reflects the holistic nature of the system of Reiki.
4
Consistency across 99 practitioners is remarkable. These results were replicated across 99 different Reiki teachers in different states and settings. This reflects the system of Reiki itself working consistently through trained practitioners.
Dyer NL, Baldwin AL, Rand WL. A large-scale effectiveness trial of Reiki for physical and psychological health. J Altern Complement Med. 2019 Dec;25(12):1156–1162. doi: 10.1089/acm.2019.0022.
* Nota bene: Where the original research paper uses the term “Reiki Master,” this refers to a title used by a specific school of Reiki. It is not a universal term for all Reiki teachers. Many experienced and highly trained Reiki teachers do not use this title.
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
I have been practising and teaching the system of Reiki for almost 30 years.
Along the way I helped build the International House of Reiki and created Shibumi International Reiki Association, and I have written a handful of books, including The Reiki Sourcebook, The Japanese Art of Reiki and Your Reiki Treatment.
Today, I focus on creating tools and supporting Reiki students in developing their skills, knowledge and practice. *Reiki with Bronwen*, my new baby, is home for all of this. Most of my study has gone into the Japanese roots of the system.
Outside that: writing, animals, and the Reiki Women Podcast, which I co-founded. I teach privately and online. And there are new books on the way...
1 Comment
Thank you Bronwen. You sure are looking after Reiki and it’s practitioners. I am grateful for your dedication.