Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pamela Miles, founder of the Institute for the Advancement future directions for research and the development of programs
of Complementary Therapies (I*ACT), is a Reiki master and that integrate Reiki into clinical care, raising questions and issues
meditation teacher who lectures on complementary medicine that must be considered in these endeavors.
and develops educational programs and research initiatives The National Institutes of Health Center for Complementary
on energy medicine for hospitals and health care organiza- and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has classified energy medi-
tions in the Northeast. Gala True, PhD, is a Senior Scientist cine therapies into 2 basic categories: biofield therapies and bio-
electromagnetic-based therapies. According to the NCCAM
and the Assistant Director of Medical Ethics at the Albert
classifications, biofield modalities are defined as those therapies
Einstein Center for Urban Health Policy and Research in
intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and
Philadelphia, PA. interpenetrate the human body. These therapies, which include
Reiki, Qigong, and Therapeutic Touch, involve touch or place-
ment of the hands in or through biofields, the existence of which
Reiki is a vibrational, or subtle energy, therapy most commonly facili- have not yet been scientifically proven. Bioelectromagnetic-based
tated by light touch, which is believed to balance the biofield and therapies involve the use or manipulation of electromagnetic
strengthen the body's ability to heal itself. Although systematic study of fields (EMFs), invisible lines of electrical force or currents.
efficacy is scant thus far, Reiki is increasingly used as an adjunct to con- Although the existence of EMFs has been demonstrated, thera-
ventional medical care, both in and out of hospital settings. This article peutic use of these fields is unique to complementary modalities
will describe the practice and review the history and theory of Reiki, giv- such as magnet therapy.4
ing readers a context for the growing popularity of this healing modality. Biofield therapies, including Reiki, are generally accepted as
Programs that incorporate Reiki into the clinical setting will be dis- low-risk interventions. The widespread use of these therapies,
cussed, as well as important considerations in setting up such a pro- coupled with anecdotal evidence of efficacy, indicate a need for
gram. Finally, the research literature to date on Reiki will be reviewed further study of this important category of complementary and
and evaluated, and directions for future Reiki research will be suggested. alternative medicine (CAM). Because of their foundation in sub-
tle energies that as yet lie beyond technology’s ability to consis-
A
mericans increasingly reach beyond conventional
tently measure, biofield therapies present a special research
medicine to meet their healthcare needs, and
challenge. An increasing number of nurses, physicians, and other
research indicates that therapies based in energy
healthcare providers have begun integrating biofield therapies
medicine are a favorite choice.1,2 Consistent with
into patient care, and a growing number of hospital-based pro-
findings of increased use is the recognition that
grams offer these modalities to patients and staff. The line
patients seldom discuss the use of these therapies with their
between what is “alternative,” “complementary,” or “integrative”
physician, and that the majority of conventional medical
is often blurred when it comes to biofield therapies. Despite these
providers are unfamiliar with the principles underlying these
challenges, efforts to describe these modalities, their practice,
modalities. In this manuscript, we focus on Reiki (RAY kee), a
and their use by patients, as well as development of well-designed
biofield therapy facilitated most commonly by light touch, 3
studies of safety and efficacy, are important and underway.
attempting to evaluate and synthesize what is known about the
history, theory, and practice of Reiki, as well as give an overview TRADITIONAL MEDICAL SYSTEMS AND REIKI
of the state of Reiki research. We conclude with thoughts about Understanding Reiki requires an awareness of indigenous
healing traditions that exist alongside, and pre-date, the Western
biomedical model. In these systems, the ability to facilitate heal-
Reprint requests: InnoVision Communications, 169 Saxony Road, Suite 104, Encinitas, CA 92024;
ing derives from knowledge and practices that are passed from
phone, (866) 828-2962 or (760) 633-3910; e-mail, alternative.therapies@innerdoorway.com. master practitioner to student, who in turn becomes a master
Sample Size,
Main Author, Year Design Population Results Comments
Astin 200049 Systematic review 23 trials involving 13 (57%) of 23 trials yielded The authors identified a number of lim-
of randomized, 2774 patients statistically significant itations in studies of distance healing,
placebo-controlled treatment effects, 9 showed including underpowered studies and
trials of distant no effect over control inter- inadequate randomization resulting in
healing modalities ventions, and 1 showed a non-homogeneous study groups. The
negative effect. authors concluded that further study of
distant healing interventions is merited.
Wirth 199351 Randomized, con- 21 patients with Treatment group experi- Study limited by small sample size and
trolled trials, inter- impacted third molar enced less pain in degree absence of a power analysis. Use of a
vention received and intensity, results were design where individual subjects served
Reiki and LeShan. statistically significant. as their own control is both a strength
and a weakness of the study.
Wirth 199652 Review of 5 ran- Range of 15 to 44 Inconclusive, some studies Studies limited by potential confound-
domized, con- healthy subjects, showed significantly faster ing variables, such as the presence of a
trolled trials, com- experimentally healing in treatment group, research assistant in the room during
binations of Reiki induced full thick- while others showed non- intervention and by nonhomogeneous
and Therapeutic ness biopsy wounds. significant effects or reverse study groups.
Touch. significance.
Wirth 199653 Randomized con- 14 healthy subjects, Treatment group demon- Limited by small sample size, absence
trolled trials, com- including Qi gong strated significant reduc- of power analysis, and potentially con-
bination of Reiki, students tion in blood urea nitrogen founding variables, including use of Qi
TT, LeShan and and trend toward normal- gong students as subjects.
Qigong ization of blood glucose in Demonstrated possible bioenergetic
subjects who had higher adaptogenic effect of energy therapy.
than normal levels.
Wirth 199754 Review of 3 ran- Range of 12 to 44 Statistically significant Limited by confounding variables, use
domized, con- healthy subjects, reduction in sEMG activity of multiple healers across treatment
trolled trials, Reiki, sEMG and autonom- at thoracic and lumbar groups, and non-homogeneous study
TT, and Qi gong ic measures sites, corresponding to groups, including subjects with exten-
regions associated with sive meditation experience
autonomic system and
relaxation response.
Mansour 199955 Randomized, 20 blinded subjects, Participants were unable to Demonstrates that successful blinding
placebo-controlled outcome measures differentiate between “real” of participants is possible. Participants
crossover design, included ability to and “sham” Reiki practi- in the Reiki plus Reiki intervention
Reiki and “sham” identify “real” Reiki tioner. reported greater intensity of sensations
Reiki practitioner, sensa- during treatment, suggesting that Reiki
tions experienced energy has a “cumulative” effect
Shiflett in press15 Randomized, 50 subacute ischemic No significant differences Data on long-term and cognitive
placebo-controlled stroke patients, plus between intervention and change were not available, so potential
trial, Reiki master, 20 historical controls, control groups on overall impact of Reiki on those dimensions is
Reiki Level 1 or outcome measures function or depression. unknown. Use of historical controls
“sham” Reiki related to function Treatment groups showed may have biased results. Inadequate
and depression some positive effects on sample size may have resulted in Type II
mood and energy. error (failing to detect significant differ-
ences when they do in fact exist).