Reiki Therapy for Cancer

Overseen By Santosh Rao, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Must not be taking: Immunotherapy, Chemotherapy, Radiation

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Visual impairment, Psychosis, Pregnancy, Metastatic disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 8 weeks

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research is to investigate the delivery of Reiki to integrative oncology patients and assess its potential for improving cancer-related symptoms in this population.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot be on active immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment, or have completed them within 3 months before the study starts. Aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen are allowed.

What data supports the effectiveness of Reiki therapy for cancer patients?

Some studies suggest that Reiki therapy may help improve comfort and well-being for cancer patients, with more than half of the patients in one study reporting feeling better after receiving Reiki sessions compared to those who did not receive it. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Reiki therapy safe for cancer patients?

Reiki therapy appears to be generally safe for cancer patients, with studies reporting no serious side effects and noting it as a relaxing experience. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

How is Reiki therapy different from other cancer treatments?

Reiki therapy is unique because it is a form of energy healing that involves a therapist using light touch or no touch to access universal energy, which is believed to help the body heal itself, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain and stress. Unlike conventional cancer treatments, Reiki does not involve medication or surgery and is considered generally safe with no serious adverse effects reported. ^{6 10 11 12 13}

Research Team

Santosh Rao, MD

Principal Investigator

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-89 with a confirmed tumor diagnosis who are experiencing significant cancer-related symptoms like fatigue. Participants must be receiving care at a UH Connor Whole Health Integrative Oncology Clinic, speak English, and have email and internet access. Pregnant individuals, those unable to consent, with active psychosis or severe visual/cognitive impairments, recent Reiki therapy or certain cancer treatments are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Neoplasm diagnosis confirmed in electronic health record (EHR)/Caisis

Receiving care at a UH Connor Whole Health Integrative Oncology Clinic

Able to speak and understand English

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy

I am unable to understand and give consent for treatment.

Active psychosis

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Reiki therapy to improve cancer-related symptoms

8 weeks

6 sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Reiki

Trial Overview The study is examining the effects of Reiki therapy on improving symptoms related to cancer in patients attending an integrative oncology clinic. It aims to assess how well Reiki can alleviate issues such as pain and fatigue commonly experienced by these patients.

Participant Groups

Group I: Reiki therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This is a feasibility single arm trial of Reiki for oncology participants.

Reiki is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Reiki for:

• Symptom relief for cancer patients
• Anxiety reduction
• Pain management
• Fatigue reduction
• Quality of life improvement

Approved in European Union as Reiki for:

• Complementary therapy for cancer-related symptoms
• Stress reduction
• Well-being improvement

Approved in Canada as Reiki for:

• Supportive care for cancer patients
• Pain relief
• Anxiety management

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

472

Recruited

33,400+

Findings from Research

A survey of 145 cancer patients receiving Reiki showed that 94% rated their experience positively, indicating high patient satisfaction with the therapy.

Reiki was associated with significant improvements in various symptoms, such as relaxation (89%), anxiety/worry (75%), and mood (81%), suggesting it may be beneficial for managing cancer-related distress and discomfort.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Symptomatic improvement reported after receiving Reiki at a cancer infusion center. Marcus, DA., Blazek-O'Neill, B., Kopar, JL.[2013]

Reiki therapy significantly reduced stress levels in caregivers of cancer patients, as indicated by lower Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) scores after 6 weeks of treatment compared to a sham group.

The study also found that Reiki was effective in lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate, although it did not significantly affect salivary cortisol levels, suggesting that while Reiki may help with stress relief, its mechanism may not involve changes in cortisol.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Reiki on the stress level of caregivers of patients with cancer: Qualitative and single-blind randomized controlled trial. Özcan Yüce, U., Taşcı, S.[2021]

A qualitative study involving 10 women who received reiki after cancer treatment revealed that participants experienced emotional release, pain relief, and improved overall well-being, including better sleep and reduced depression.

The findings suggest that reiki may serve as a beneficial complementary therapy for enhancing the quality of life in women with cancer, despite participants initially having limited understanding of the practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An exploratory study of reiki experiences in women who have cancer. Kirshbaum, MN., Stead, M., Bartys, S.[2017]

In a study involving 189 chemotherapy patients, both actual Reiki therapy and sham Reiki significantly improved comfort and well-being post-treatment, while standard care did not show any changes.

The results suggest that the presence of a nurse providing one-on-one support during chemotherapy infusions is crucial for enhancing patient comfort, regardless of whether Reiki therapy is administered.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Investigation of standard care versus sham Reiki placebo versus actual Reiki therapy to enhance comfort and well-being in a chemotherapy infusion center. Catlin, A., Taylor-Ford, RL.[2022]

In a pilot study involving 36 cancer patients who received 5 sessions of individualized Reiki, over half reported feeling better after treatment, suggesting potential benefits for symptom relief and well-being.

While the results were clinically significant, they were not statistically significant when compared to a control group of 14 patients, indicating that more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of Reiki in cancer care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reiki for Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in a Brazilian Hospital: A Pilot Study. Siegel, P., da Motta, PM., da Silva, LG., et al.[2017]

Reiki is considered a safe form of energy therapy that may help enhance the body's natural healing abilities, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain and stress, with no serious adverse effects reported.

The article discusses the application of Reiki in oncology services, suggesting its potential role in supporting cancer patients during treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Reiki on symptom management in oncology. Demir, M., Can, G., Celek, E.[2019]

In a study involving 16 cancer patients, Reiki therapy significantly reduced fatigue and improved overall quality of life compared to a resting condition, with notable decreases in tiredness, pain, and anxiety after multiple sessions.

Participants receiving Reiki experienced measurable benefits, with fatigue levels decreasing over the course of 7 treatments, suggesting that Reiki could be a valuable complementary therapy for managing cancer-related fatigue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot crossover trial of Reiki versus rest for treating cancer-related fatigue. Tsang, KL., Carlson, LE., Olson, K.[2015]

In a pilot study involving 36 breast cancer patients, both Reiki therapy and companionship during chemotherapy were found to improve quality of life and mood compared to usual care.

Reiki therapy was well-received, rated as relaxing, and showed no side effects, suggesting it is a safe and feasible complementary intervention during chemotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of Reiki therapy and companionship on quality of life, mood, and symptom distress during chemotherapy. Orsak, G., Stevens, AM., Brufsky, A., et al.[2014]

In a 3-year study involving 118 cancer patients, Reiki therapy significantly reduced anxiety scores from 6.77 to 2.28 in those who completed four treatment sessions, indicating its potential efficacy in managing anxiety.

Patients reported improvements in overall well-being, relaxation, pain relief, and sleep quality, suggesting that Reiki therapy could be a beneficial complementary treatment in hospital settings for addressing both physical and emotional needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of Reiki therapy on pain and anxiety in patients attending a day oncology and infusion services unit. Birocco, N., Guillame, C., Storto, S., et al.[2012]

Temari Reiki, a new method of Reiki therapy, has shown success in treating patients with cancer, pain, and stress, suggesting it could be a beneficial addition to traditional Western medicine.

The paper advocates for further research through randomized clinical trials to better understand the effects of Temari Reiki on patients' overall well-being, including mental, physical, and spiritual health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Temari Reiki: a new hands-off approach to traditional Reiki. Townsend, JS.[2013]

Reiki is a subtle energy therapy that uses light touch to help balance the body's energy and enhance its natural healing abilities, and it is increasingly being used alongside conventional medical treatments in various settings.

While there is limited systematic research on its efficacy, the article reviews existing literature and discusses the growing popularity of Reiki, suggesting a need for more rigorous studies to evaluate its effectiveness in clinical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reiki--review of a biofield therapy history, theory, practice, and research. Miles, P., True, G.[2007]

A systematic review of 12 studies on Reiki found that while 9 showed a significant therapeutic effect, all studies had serious methodological flaws, leading to a low quality of evidence.

The review highlighted the need for high-quality randomized controlled trials to better assess the effectiveness of Reiki compared to placebo, as current studies lack proper randomization, blinding, and accountability.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of the therapeutic effects of Reiki. vanderVaart, S., Gijsen, VM., de Wildt, SN., et al.[2022]

In a qualitative study involving 35 participants aged over 50 with HIV/AIDS and mental health or substance abuse issues, all reported benefits from Reiki training, including improved coping skills and better management of their conditions.

While the study did not establish the efficacy of Reiki, it highlighted significant positive life changes among participants, suggesting the potential for a larger randomized controlled trial to further investigate its effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Qualitative Assessment of the Impact of Implementing Reiki Training in a Supported Residence for People Older Than 50 Years with HIV/AIDS. Mehl-Madrona, L., Renfrew, NM., Mainguy, B.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Symptomatic improvement reported after receiving Reiki at a cancer infusion center. [2013]

2. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Reiki on the stress level of caregivers of patients with cancer: Qualitative and single-blind randomized controlled trial. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An exploratory study of reiki experiences in women who have cancer. [2017]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Investigation of standard care versus sham Reiki placebo versus actual Reiki therapy to enhance comfort and well-being in a chemotherapy infusion center. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reiki for Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in a Brazilian Hospital: A Pilot Study. [2017]

6. Thailand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Reiki on symptom management in oncology. [2019]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pilot crossover trial of Reiki versus rest for treating cancer-related fatigue. [2015]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of Reiki therapy and companionship on quality of life, mood, and symptom distress during chemotherapy. [2014]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of Reiki therapy on pain and anxiety in patients attending a day oncology and infusion services unit. [2012]

10. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Temari Reiki: a new hands-off approach to traditional Reiki. [2013]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reiki--review of a biofield therapy history, theory, practice, and research. [2007]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of the therapeutic effects of Reiki. [2022]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Qualitative Assessment of the Impact of Implementing Reiki Training in a Supported Residence for People Older Than 50 Years with HIV/AIDS. [2022]