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NCT Number: NCT07203157

HEAL-SLE: Holistic Energy for Alleviating Lupus Symptoms

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of Virtual Reiki therapy as a complementary treatment for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study also aims to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and adherence of integrating Virtual Reiki therapy within the healthcare system for patients with SLE. Participants receiving standard of care (SOC) treatment for SLE will continue SOC while receiving research-specific Virtual Reiki therapy once per week for 8 weeks. Each study session will be delivered remotely by a Certified Reiki Practitioner Level II or higher.

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Key information

Conditions

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Autoimmune Diseases Connective Tissue Diseases Immune System Diseases Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

NYU Langone Health

New York, 10016, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Adult aged 18 and older at the time of informed consent
  • Diagnosed with SLE (based on 2019 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/ European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria)
  • Currently receiving SOC treatment for SLE at NYU Langone Orthopedic Center
  • Able and willing to provide consent and participate in 8 weekly virtual Reiki sessions
  • Has access to reliable internet, have an active email address, and able to utilize WebEx
  • Able to read, speak and understand English

Exclusion criteria

  • Under 18 years of age
  • Patients experiencing severe disease activity requiring hospitalization at time of screening
  • Unable to read, speak and understand English
  • No access to internet
  • Not willing to participate in weekly virtual Reiki sessions
  • Currently enrolled in another interventional clinical trial

Treatment and study plan

Virtual Reiki Therapy

Other

20-minute session once per week for 8 weeks via Webex. Each session will be delivered remotely by a Certified Reiki Practitioner Level II or higher.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Visual Analog Scales (VAS) score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4

    VAS is a tool widely used to measure pain. A patient is asked to indicate his/her perceived pain intensity (most commonly) along a 10 mm horizontal line, and this rating is then measured from the left edge (=VAS score). The total score range is 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable); the higher the score, the worse the pain.

  2. Change in Visual Analog Scales (VAS) score

    Time frame: Week 4, Week 8

    VAS is a tool widely used to measure pain. A patient is asked to indicate his/her perceived pain intensity (most commonly) along a 10 mm horizontal line, and this rating is then measured from the left edge (=VAS score). The total score range is 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable); the higher the score, the worse the pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Reiki sessions completed over the 8-week period

    Time frame: Week 8

    Adherence will be measured using a reiki visit log to monitor the number of Reiki sessions completed over the 8- week period. Participants completing fewer than 75% of scheduled sessions (fewer than 6 out of 8 sessions) will be excluded from the final analysis to ensure study data integrity.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Kathleen Zavotsky

CONTACT

[email protected]

212-263-2055

Monica Gamez-Perez

CONTACT

[email protected]

646-501-7391

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

NYU Langone Health

Other

Collaborators

  • Daisy Foundation

Registry information

Official study title

A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effect and Feasibility of Virtual Reiki Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Acronym: HEAL-SLE

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Oct 2, 2025
Registry last updated
Oct 2, 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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