What is Reiki studying for adults with cancer receiving immunotherapy?

Reiki is being studied to see if it can help reduce symptoms like fatigue, pain, and emotional distress in adults with cancer undergoing immunotherapy. The research also looks at how feasible it is to provide Reiki in this setting and gathers participants' experiences. The University of California, Irvine is leading this study.

Who may be eligible for this cancer clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 years or older who have been diagnosed with cancer and are currently receiving immunotherapy may be eligible. Participants must have significant fatigue, be able to attend weekly Reiki sessions, and be able to complete study procedures. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this cancer clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the Reiki sessions and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

ID07581080

Pilot Study of Reiki Therapy to Support Fatigue and Other Symptoms in Adults with Cancer Receiving Immunotherapy

Led by University of California, Irvine · Updated on 2026-07-10

Participants Needed

Research Sites

4 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the use of a biofield therapy called Reiki to support adults with cancer who are receiving immunotherapy and experiencing significant fatigue. The study also explores Reikis potential to help with symptoms like pain and emotional distress, which can impact daily functioning and quality of life. Additionally, the trial assesses how feasible it is to deliver Reiki in this clinical setting and gathers participants experiences through interviews. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive Reiki immediately or be placed on a waitlist before receiving the therapy. The Reiki intervention involves six weekly, in-person 30-minute sessions delivered by a trained Reiki Master in a calm setting. Participants complete questionnaires about fatigue, pain, and stress before and after each session. Blood samples and EEG measurements are taken at the first and last sessions to explore biological and brain activity changes. Those in the waitlist group first undergo a six-week observation period with brief fatigue assessments and EEG sessions before crossing over to receive Reiki. Throughout the study, participants are involved in interviews, symptom questionnaires, EEG scanning, and blood collection. Researchers measure changes in fatigue, pain, psychological distress, and inflammatory biomarkers. A satisfaction survey is completed at the end of Reiki treatment. The study includes monitoring recruitment, retention, adherence, and overall engagement to evaluate the feasibility of Reiki as supportive care. The total participation duration varies depending on group assignment and crossover timing.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Biofield Therapy for the Support of Immunotherapy-related Symptoms Among Adult Cancer Patients - A Pilot Study

How This Trial Compares With Other Options

This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.

Factors	Immediate Reiki Sessions	Waitlist / Rest
What is it?	Standardized Usui Reiki therapy delivered by a trained Reiki Master. Each participant receives six weekly 30-minute in-person sessions during which the practitioner places hands just above the body at set positions in a quiet clinical setting.	Waitlist control arm where participants receive rest with minimal sensory stimulation (such as blindfold and earplugs) for the same period. Participants crossover and later receive Reiki sessions.
Role in the trial	Experimental condition testing Reiki as a supportive therapy for immunotherapy-related symptom relief in cancer patients.	Serves as the within-participant control where no Reiki is given, allowing comparison of changes during rest vs Reiki.
Primary use in this setting	To examine whether Reiki can reduce fatigue, pain, and stress in patients undergoing immunotherapy for cancer.	Assesses impact of rest and passive waiting as a condition for comparison with Reiki sessions.
How is it given?	Six weekly sessions, each about 30 minutes, are conducted in-person. Reiki is given in a quiet room by a trained professional, with participants reclining and optional use of sensory-reducing aids.	Participants attend matching visits with rest and minimal stimulation, but do not receive any form of Reiki during this control period.
Evidence in published literature	Multiple systematic reviews and randomized trials suggest Reiki therapy may reduce pain, fatigue, and anxiety in cancer and other clinical settings, though results are mixed and most studies are small or have methodological limitations.	Rest and minimal stimulation do not show significant symptom reduction beyond placebo effects in most trials. Used as a control period for comparison with investigational therapies.
Important limitations	Existing Reiki studies often have small sample sizes, lack robust blinding, and outcomes sometimes rely on subjective measures. Effects may be due in part to placebo or relaxation response. No large-scale definitive trials exist.	Waitlist or rest control does not match the experience of receiving active touch or practitioner attention. It may underestimate the nonspecific benefits of an intervention like Reiki.

Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Participants must be greater than 18 years of age.
Currently diagnosed with cancer.
Actively receiving immunotherapy treatment with ICI (PD1 or PD-L1 inhibitor, single-agent or combination, including steroids if applicable).
Report clinically significant fatigue over the past 7 days.
Able to travel to the study site to receive Reiki treatments once a week.
Understanding and willing to complete all study procedures.
Capable of giving written informed consent.
Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English or Spanish.

You will not qualify if you...

Received Reiki treatment in the past 30 days or currently receiving Reiki.
Diagnosed with a severe psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia, dementia, major depression with suicidal ideations).
Currently pregnant or intending to become pregnant during the study timeframe.

Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

Qualitative Interview

Duration - 1 hour

Participants take part in a one-hour interview about their cancer treatment experiences, symptoms, and views on integrative care like Reiki.

1 visit (in-person)

Immediate Reiki Intervention

Duration - 6 weeks

Participants receive six weekly, in-person 30-minute Reiki sessions with questionnaires, blood sample collection, and EEG measurements at the first and last sessions. A satisfaction survey is completed after the sessions.

Weekly visits

Waitlist Observation Period

Duration - 6 weeks

Participants complete a six-week observation period with brief weekly fatigue questionnaires and two in-person sessions including EEG measurements and Sham Reiki at Week 1 and Week 6.

Weekly questionnaires and 2 visits

Washout Period

Duration - 4 weeks

Participants undergo a four-week period without sessions before starting Reiki intervention.

No visits

Delayed Reiki Intervention

Duration - 6 weeks

Participants receive six weekly, in-person 30-minute Reiki sessions with questionnaires, blood sample collection, and EEG measurements at the first and last sessions, followed by a satisfaction survey.

Weekly visits