References & Scientific Research
An Evidence-Informed Approach
Before founding Autumn Renewal, I spent over 35 years working in pharmaceutical research, contributing to the development of new medicines for cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases and cancer.
That experience taught me the importance of scientific curiosity, rigorous research and remaining open to new evidence wherever it leads.
Although Reiki has been practised for over a century, research into its effects is still developing. Like many complementary therapies, there is a growing body of published literature exploring its potential benefits, while recognising that further high-quality research is needed to better understand the mechanisms involved and identify where it may be most helpful.
I believe people should be able to make informed choices about their wellbeing. For those interested in the science behind Reiki, home energetics and the human biofield, I've brought together a selection of peer-reviewed papers, reviews and educational resources that I have found particularly interesting.
Research on Reiki
Physical and Psychological Wellbeing
A study analysing 1,411 Reiki sessions reported statistically significant improvements across multiple measures including pain, anxiety, depression, wellbeing and emotional state following a single Reiki treatment.
Key message: A large single-arm effectiveness study found improvements in several physical and psychological measures following a single Reiki session, although the study design cannot establish that Reiki itself caused those changes.
Chronic Knee Pain
Participants receiving Reiki or mindfulness experienced clinically meaningful improvements in knee osteoarthritis symptoms compared with placebo and waiting-list groups.
Key message: This randomised trial found that Reiki was associated with improvements in knee osteoarthritis symptoms, although larger trials are needed to confirm the findings and establish longer-term effects.
Stress and Pain
More than 1,700 participants reported substantial reductions in perceived stress and pain following a brief ten-minute Reiki session delivered in community settings.
Key message: In this exploratory community study, participants reported reductions in perceived stress and pain following a ten-minute Reiki session. Controlled research is needed to determine how much of this change can be attributed specifically to Reiki.
Fatigue
The Therapeutic Effect of Reiki Therapy on Fatigue Intervention: A Meta-analysis (Pre-Print, not yet peer reviewed)
Chen J et al. Research Square.10.21203/rs.3.rs-6947331/v1
A review of published studies involving 576 participants suggested Reiki may reduce fatigue, particularly amongst people living with cancer or chronic disease, while highlighting the need for larger, higher-quality studies.
Key message: Current evidence is encouraging but further robust research is required.
Supportive Cancer Care
Key message: In a programme evaluation at an academic oncology centre, patients reported reductions in distress, anxiety, pain and fatigue following Reiki sessions. The authors concluded that further research was needed to determine Reiki's impact within supportive cancer care.
Biological Mechanisms
Key message: This exploratory study investigated metabolic changes associated with Healing Touch during cervical cancer treatment. The findings suggested some differences in metabolic signatures, but the authors emphasised that these preliminary findings require confirmation in larger studies.
Reiki in Healthcare
An overview describing how Reiki became integrated into a hospital environment to complement patient care and staff wellbeing.
Research into the Human Biofield
My interest extends beyond Reiki itself to the broader question of how the body's measurable electrical activity interacts with its environment.
Medicine already relies upon electrical signals throughout healthcare. Electrocardiograms (ECGs), electroencephalograms (EEGs), electromyography (EMG) and many other technologies measure the body's bioelectrical activity every day.
Researchers from fields including physiology, biophysics and integrative medicine continue to explore whether larger-scale electromagnetic and biofield processes may also play a role in health and self-regulation.
The following papers provide useful introductions to this emerging area of research.
Human Biofield Components Explained: A Tensegrity-Based Biophysical Framework for Energy Medicine (2025)(Pre-Print) 10.15406/ijcam.2025.18.00731
Biofield Physiology: A Framework for an Emerging Discipline (2015)10.7453/gahmj.2015.015.suppl
Integrating Energy Fields: A Biophysical Model to Support Traditional Chinese Medicine (2026) 10.15406/ijcam.2026.19.00755
These publications explore theoretical models and emerging evidence rather than established clinical consensus, and they illustrate how this field continues to evolve.
Further Reading
If you would like to explore the evidence in greater depth, I recommend the following resources:
World Reiki Research Network – a comprehensive collection of published Reiki research.
Centre for Reiki Research – promotes rigorous scientific investigation into Reiki and other biofield therapies.
Guide to Healing the Human Biofield through Integrative Medicine and Health – Erin Hanson.
Mastering the Human Biofield for Optimal Health and Well-Being – Celeste Lyra.
Tuning the Human Biofield – Eileen Day McKusick.
A Note About the Research
Scientific understanding continually evolves. While many published studies report encouraging findings, Reiki should be viewed as a complementary therapy that supports wellbeing alongside but not instead of appropriate medical care.
I will continue updating this page as new peer-reviewed research becomes available, allowing visitors to explore the evidence for themselves and make informed decisions.