The Subjective Experience of Reiki is Differentially Associated with Improvements in Health-Related Symptoms

Prior qualitative studies have described subjective experiences during Reiki, yet their quantitative relationship to symptom change has not been examined. This study evaluated whether specific subjective Reiki experiences are associated with changes in health-related symptoms using regression and mediation analyses.

The study took place at private Reiki practices across the United States. Reiki practitioners (N = 99) invited their clients to complete a survey before and after receiving Reiki. The Reiki sessions were conducted in person, with each session lasting an average of 60 min. Self-report measures based on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System were used to assess physical and psychological symptoms immediately before (pre) and after (post) the Reiki session. Participants were asked to describe their experience during the Reiki session at post. Linear regression analyses were conducted to explore associations between subjective Reiki experiences and changes in well-being, pain, and anxiety, while controlling for age and gender. Mediation models tested whether pain and anxiety changes mediated the relationship between subjective Reiki experiences and improvements in well-being.

A total of N = 1,284 Reiki sessions had both quantitative and qualitative data and were included in the analysis. Experiencing positive emotions was significantly associated with higher well-being and reduced anxiety, and experiencing body sensations was significantly associated with greater pain relief. There was a significant indirect effect of body sensations on well-being via pain relief, a significant indirect effect of positive emotions on well-being via anxiety reduction, and a significant indirect effect of emotional release on well-being via anxiety reduction.

The results from this linear regression and mediation analysis suggest that the subjective experience of receiving Reiki is related to changes in different psychological and physical health symptoms. More work is needed to confirm these findings while addressing the limitations of the current study.