Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00346671

Effects of Reiki on Stress

Complementary therapies such as Reiki are becoming popular. Reiki is a practice used for relaxation and pain management that involves physical touch and social contact with a trained, empathetic practitioner. Unlike many relaxation therapies, Reiki requires no participation by the patient, a feature that makes Reiki particularly attractive in the hospital setting, where patients are often extremely anxious, depressed, in pain, or sedated. Our primary research questions are to determine whether physiological changes are induced during a Reiki session and whether a Reiki session affects responses to a subsequent acute stressor. Secondary research questions include assessing which benefits result from placebo or unique abilities of "attuned" Reiki practitioners and assessing background characteristics of recipients that are associated with acceptance and responsiveness. Based on its use to reduce pain and anxiety, we will study potential mechanisms by which Reiki decreases activity of the sympathetic nervous system and other stress pathways. Comparison of the responses in a Reiki group with those in supine-control and sham groups will allow us to gain insights into mechanisms by which Reiki effects are mediated. Information obtained from the proposed studies will provide detailed information on physiological pathways affected by Reiki. Should Reiki decrease stress pathways or reduce physiological responses to stressful situations, it could be a useful adjunct to traditional medicine and have significant health and economic benefits.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Stress

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

About this study

See Brief Summary

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy Individuals between the age of 18 and 75

Exclusion criteria

  • Already involved in regular (one time a week or more) mind-body practices (yoga, meditation, Qi-gong, guided imagery, Taichi, biofeedback; attendance at religious services is not considered a mind-body practice) in the past three months OR has been doing intense spiritual practice for more than 6 months in the past (an average of 6hrs a week)
  • Already received an energy therapy treatment (Reiki, therapeutic touch, healing touch, touch therapy) in the past. (note: acupuncture, massage Qi-gong are not considered energy therapies in the context of this study)
  • Score on the DASS21 for Depression greater or equal to 21
  • Score on the DASS21 for Anxiety greater or equal to 15
  • In the last 3 months, has had a major stressful life-event that is likely to affect the outcomes of the study
  • Medical condition, current illness or history of chronic illness that might affect the outcomes of the study such as those affecting stress response, cardiovascular, endocrine, or immune systems (Examples: cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, blood-clotting disorder, severe allergies or asthma that impairs breathing, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, or hypoglycemia, cardiovascular disease, depression/anxiety etc.)
  • In the past 3 months, has used or is chronically using over-the-counter, recreational or prescription drugs that might affect the outcomes of the study such as those affecting cardiovascular, platelets, central nervous system, endocrine, immune systems(Examples: steroid, blood pressure medication, depression/anxiety medication, antiplatelet drugs, etc.)
  • Color Blind
  • Consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day most days over the 3 months
  • Pregnant
  • Problems donating blood: Fear of hypodermic needles; has felt dizzy or was about to faint following a needle stick
  • Incompatibility of energy healing with religious beliefs

Treatment and study plan

Rest

Other

30 min supine rest

SHAM

Other

30 min session with Sham practitioner

Other names: Touch, Pretend Reiki, Placebo Reiki

reiki

Other

30 min session with Reiki practitioner

Other names: Energy Healing, Energy Therapy, Touch Therapy

Primary outcomes

  1. 1: To determine whether a Reiki session affects emotional states, ANS, or HPA activity

    Time frame: 3 years

  2. 2. To determine whether a Reiki session affects responses to a subsequent acute stressor

    Time frame: 3 years

Secondary outcomes

  1. Assess which benefits result from placebo and which from unique abilities of Reiki practitioners

    Time frame: 3 years

  2. Obtain preliminary information on mechanisms needed for the rational design of a larger clinical trial

    Time frame: 3 years

  3. Assess the role of a variety of baseline variables on responses.

    Time frame: 3 years

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The Cleveland Clinic

Other

Collaborators

  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Reiki on Physiological Consequences of Acute Stress

Important dates

Study start
2006
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2010
First posted
Jun 30, 2006
Registry last updated
Sep 24, 2012

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.