A Large Scale Survey of Reiki Sessions

The Center for Reiki Research is conducting a new research study. The purpose of this study is to compile a database of the results of Reiki sessions using a standardized online session form that is used to collect data on the condition of the client before and after a Reiki session. The form is filled out by the client without assistance or observation by the practitioner. The data will be analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the sessions based on the improvement or lack thereof for stress, negative mood, pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, depression and increased positive mood and wellbeing. 

The Reiki research practitioners who have volunteered to take place in this survey are Reiki masters who are members of the Reiki Membership Association who currently have a regular Reiki practice for which they have had for one year or more and charge money for their sessions. They have received the title of Reiki Research Professional. See the list below. 

Data is entered directly by the client into an Internet based computer program. The data will be analyzed by Ph.D. qualified Reiki researchers using Qualtrics and other software programs. IRB approval has been granted through Harvard University. 

The study has been in operation since March, 2015 and as of April, 2016 there are 82 practitioners and over 1200 sessions have been recorded.  Our goal is 2000 recorded sessions which we should reach in early 2017. Preliminary data analysis indicates positive results in all categories. See the description below.

The results of the study will demonstrate in what way and to what extent Reiki is helpful in the categories studied. This information will be available to practitioners to guide their use of Reiki. It could also be used in the design of future Reiki studies allowing the studies to focus on Reiki applications that are more likely to produce positive results. While this research is mostly anecdotal in nature, the size of the study informs its credibility.

Become a Reiki Research Professional
If you are a Reiki practitioner who is interested in taking part in the Reiki research survey, please email Natalie Trent at 7nlt@queensu.ca

Reiki Large Scale Survey Preliminary Data Analysis
Natalie L Trent Ph.D.
March 15^th 2016

922 subjects started the survey
30 subjects did not complete the post-survey
a total of 892 subjects completed the survey

Demographics
Mean age: 49.9 years (range 18-89)
Gender: 147, 15.9% males, 758, 82.2% females, 10, 1.1% other
Ethnicity: 82.2% Caucasian, 8.8% Hispanic, 2.3% African American, 1.1% Asian American
Religion/Spirituality: 48.2% Christian, 32.5% Spiritual but not religious, 6.8% Other, 4.5% Prefer not to answer, 4.0% Buddhist, 1.9% Hindu, 1.2% Atheist

Symptoms

Pain
Pre: 3.8 (2.5)
Post: 1.9 (1.6)

Tiredness
Pre: 5.5 (2.6)
Post: 2.9 (2.1)

Drowsiness
Pre: 4.4 (2.7)
Post: 2.9 (2.3)

Nausea
Pre: 1.6 (1.5)
Post: 1.2 (0.74)

Lack of Appetite
Pre: 2.1 (2.1)
Post: 1.6 (1.5)

Shortness of Breath
Pre: 2.0 (2.0)
Post: 1.3 (1.0)

Depression
Pre: 3.4 (2.7)
Post: 1.8 (1.5)

Anxiety
Pre: 4.2 (2.9)
Post: 1.7 (1.4)

Wellbeing
Pre: 4.8 (2.4)
Post: 3.0 (2.6)

Other; should not sum, look separately.

PANAS

Positive Affect Score
Pre: Mean = 29.4 (8.1)
Post: Mean = 33.3 (9.4)

Negative Affect Score
Pre: Mean = 17.0 (7.5)
Post: Mean = 11.6 (3.3)

All measures significant at p = .000

Reiki Research Professionals

Below is a list of the Reiki practitioners who are taking part in the research survey.

Pam Allen-LeBlanc
Heather Beerman
Nadine Boles
Maxine Borstein
Jennifer Branch
Charlotte Brand
Elise Brenner
Maureen Browning
Janet Burke
Anthony Burton
Carol Cassidy
Shawn Cichowski
Laurie Coleman
Patty Craig
Caroline Dewey
Wahneta Dimmer
Krista Ducharme
Angie Due
Terry Dulin
Stormy Elliot
Peggy Evans
Trudy Fink
Andrea Frasier
Colleen Fritz
Robin Fuerst
Sheila Gabrielson
Peggy Gains
Carolyn Gartner
Jennifer L Garver
Ines Godoy
Bryce Goebel
Eileen Gorham
Teresa Hager
Sophia Hansen
Vrushali Hunge
Jay Jackson
Michelle Jackson
Mary Jahntz
Trechia James
Sandra Jaramillo
Kathleen Johnson
Maria Justel
Debra Karpek
Nikki Keraus
Colleen Kielton
Jennie Kristel
Joanna Landrum
Renee Lewis
Ernie Linkous
MaryAnn Lonergan
Lisa Machala
Janine Maere
Deanna McClintock
Joyce McCluskey
Lisa Medlin
Claudia Michalik
Teresa Morris
Trish Naffky
Natalie Nath
Rob Negvesky
Barb O’Neil
Susan O’Sullivan
Rebekah Parr
Cyndy Paxton
Patty Payne
Deborah Pecka
Tammy Petruccelli
Miranda Powell
Detlef Recktenwald
Karen Renee
Maria A. Riveros Revello
Greta Robbins
Louise Roberts
Lisa Rockwell
Melissa Rose
Jan Rotterman
Christy Schumaker
John Smith
Francie Soito
Sarah Soltow
Valerie Spitaler
Jill Straley
LisaMarie Tersigni
Kathleen Tooley
Susan Varsames
Krystyna Vrana
Linda Wheeler
Karen Williamson
Patty Wisniewski
Kelly Yoakam
Geraldine Zelinski
Patricia Ziles
Cynthia Zimmerman