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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04783038

Determining The Impact Of Distance Reiki On Patient Reported QOL And Immunity Among Multiple Myeloma Patients

This research study is being done to determine if Distance Reiki therapy offers a quality of life benefit, and improves immunity compared to patients receiving Sham Distance Reiki therapy or no additional Reiki intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Multiple Myeloma Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Blood Protein Disorders Cardiovascular Diseases Hematologic Diseases Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Hemorrhagic Disorders Hemostatic Disorders Immune System Diseases Immunoproliferative Disorders Lymphoproliferative Disorders Neoplasms Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms, Plasma Cell Paraproteinemias Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

About this study

Reiki is a popular complementary medicine modality sought after by patients. This non- intrusive Japanese based therapy centers on the guiding of energy through a Reiki practitioner to the patient which facilitates innate healing by modulation of energy fields. Reiki is formally classified as biofield therapy by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).

Current research indicates that Reiki shows promise as a noninvasive healing tool for mind and body, particularly among patients with cancer. However, the data validating the effectiveness of Reiki integrated within a structured medical paradigm and the effect on cancer immunity remains unknown.

Given the clear demand for Reiki among cancer patients but skepticism within the medical community, this trial will aim to determine an objective patient reported quality of life (PRQoL) benefit by utilizing validated tools, in order to effectively implement Reiki into traditional medical practice.

Multiple myeloma patients are at high risk of serious illness from the COVID-19 virus during this pandemic, and so distance Reiki will be carried out via video conferencing platform.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Patients with Multiple Myeloma with stable disease or currently in maintenance therapy
  • English Speaking
  • Computer and internet access with video conferencing availability

Exclusion criteria

  • Evidence of disease relapse at the post-transplant follow up visit
  • Patient not returning to Mayo Clinic Rochester for subsequent post-transplant follow up

Treatment and study plan

Distance Reiki

Other

Reiki therapy session performed remotely over a Zoom® video conferencing platform led by Reiki Practitioners who are also Health Care Providers at the Mayo Clinic, and have at least 6 months of experience in Reiki.

Sham distance Reiki

Other

Session performed remotely over a Zoom® video conferencing platform led by a Health Care Provider employed at the Mayo Clinic, but will have no experience in Reiki and will not be a certified Reiki Practitioner.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in patient-reported quality of life

    Time frame: Baseline, approximately 5 weeks

    Measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-29 survey. PROMIS measures are scored on the T-score metric. High scores mean more of the concept being measured (eg. more Fatigue, more Physical Function)

  2. Change in patient-reported overall quality of life

    Time frame: Baseline, approximately 5 weeks

    Measured using the single item Linear Analogue Self-Assessment (LASA) that uses a 10-point Likert scale, where 0=as bad as it can be and 10=as good as it can be

  3. Acceptability of Distance Reiki among multiple myeloma (MM) outpatients.

    Time frame: Approximately 5 weeks

    Measured by using the "Was it worth it" (WIWI) questionnaire which patients will complete upon study completion. This is a 3 item questionnaire which assesses patient satisfaction. Higher scores indicate greater acceptability of the Reiki intervention.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Phenotypic characterization of circulating immune cells

    Time frame: Baseline, approximately 5 weeks

    Measured using mass cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF) to phenotypically characterize the immune cells in peripheral blood

  2. Assessment of T-cell receptor repertoire and T-cell clonal diversity

    Time frame: Baseline, approximately 5 weeks

    Analyzed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) RNA-sequencing to define T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) repertoire.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mayo Clinic

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Distance Reiki on Patient Reported Quality of Life, Correlated With Changes in Immune Repertoires Among Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Mar 4, 2021
Registry last updated
Nov 21, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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