Reiki therapy demonstrates significant symptom relief for cancer patients receiving infusion treatments

CLEVELAND - A recent study conducted at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health has evaluated a Reiki program designed for outpatients with cancer and receiving infusion treatments at two University Hospitals infusion centers.

The study, entitled “Evaluation of a Reiki Volunteer Program within Two Cancer Infusion Centers,” was recently published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, a peer-reviewed journal that serves as an interdisciplinary audience of professionals. This retrospective review, conducted between March 2022 and February 2024, evaluated the effects of Reiki on outpatients receiving infusion treatments such as chemotherapy. During Reiki sessions, a trained practitioner generates relaxation and healing responses in the body by placing their hands on or above the body of the receiver or themselves.

Participants at the infusion clinics completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) measures for pain, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, and well-being before and after a 15–20-minute Reiki session during their infusion treatments.

The study included 392 Reiki sessions provided to 268 unique patients, with a mean age of 63.3 years. The demographic breakdown was 57.5% female, 71.6% White, and 26.5% Black/African American. The results were compelling, showing clinically significant mean improvements in all measured symptoms: pain -1.78 [95% CI: -2.38, -1.18], fatigue -1.33 [95% CI: -1.85, -0.82], anxiety -2.09 [95% CI: -2.68, -1.50], nausea -2.30 [95% CI: -2.95, -1.62], and wellbeing 1.37 [95% CI: 0.95, 1.79].

The study provided evidence for the short-term benefit of Reiki on cancer-related symptoms among outpatients receiving infusions. The participants were also highly satisfied overall with the Reiki session, demonstrating  acceptability. Qualitative feedback indicated that participants experienced relaxation, symptom reduction, body sensations, emotions, gratitude, and wanted another Reiki session. Further research is needed to explore the long-term benefits of Reiki and to expand the program to more healthcare locations.

This research represents that Reiki therapy provides clinically significant improvements. The positive feedback from participants underscores the potential of Reiki as a complementary therapy in clinical settings. UH Connor Whole Health is committed to ensuring whole-person care is established and delivered for every patient.

“UH Connor Whole Health is prioritizing integrative approaches to care and producing groundbreaking research in the field, this study has provided valuable insights for the effects Reiki can have on our patients.” said Francoise Adan, MD, Chief Whole Health and Well-being Officer at UH and Director of UH Connor Whole Health.

You can read the article, “Evaluation of a Reiki Volunteer Program within Two Cancer Infusion Centers,” by clicking here.

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Reference:

Dyer NL, Rodgers-Melnick SN, Fink KE, Rao S, Surdam J, Dusek JA. Evaluation of a Reiki Volunteer Program within Two Cancer Infusion Centers. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2024 Nov 27:S0885-3924(24)01132-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.11.017. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39613272.

About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio
Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 21 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system’s flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University, the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, and National Taiwan University College of Medicine. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including “America’s Best Hospitals” from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.

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