Can Reiki Help With Cancer-Related Fatigue? New Research on Reiki
For many years, Reiki has been used as a gentle practice to support relaxation, comfort, and well-being.
Now, researchers are continuing to study how Reiki may support people in traditional healthcare settings.
A new study published in 2026 looked at something very specific: Could Reiki help people who are experiencing fatigue related to cancer and cancer treatment?
The results were promising. (PubMed)
What Is Cancer-Related Fatigue?
Cancer-related fatigue is more than simply feeling tired.
It can be a deep feeling of exhaustion that may not go away with sleep or rest. It can make everyday activities harder and can affect a person's quality of life. (PMC)
This type of fatigue is common for people receiving certain treatments for breast and prostate cancer.
Researchers wanted to know whether gentle, non-drug approaches such as Reiki and massage might help.
What Was the Purpose of the Study?
The main purpose of the study was to see whether Reiki and massage were safe and practical supportive therapies for people experiencing cancer-related fatigue.
Researchers also wanted to explore whether these therapies could reduce fatigue and whether receiving more Reiki sessions might produce greater improvements.
This was a pilot study, meaning it was designed to provide early evidence and help researchers plan larger studies in the future. (PMC)
How Did the Study Work?
The study included 87 adults. Fifty-seven had breast cancer and 30 had prostate cancer. All were receiving hormone therapy and experiencing at least moderate cancer-related fatigue.
Participants were randomly placed into three groups:
2 massage sessions
2 Reiki sessions
4 Reiki sessions
Researchers measured fatigue before and after the treatments and continued tracking participants for several weeks. (PubMed)
What Did Researchers Find About Reiki for Cancer-Related Fatigue?
Here is where the study becomes particularly interesting.
All three groups experienced significant improvements in fatigue.
However, the Reiki groups showed larger improvements within their groups than the massage group, and the people who received four Reiki sessions showed the largest improvements overall. (PubMed)
Researchers looked at several aspects of fatigue, including overall fatigue, the person's worst fatigue, and how much fatigue interfered with everyday life.
The four-session Reiki group showed the largest improvements in all three areas. The improvements were also maintained through the study's 10-week follow-up. (PMC)
What About Safety?
This is another important part of the study.
Researchers reported no adverse events related to either Reiki or massage.
Participation was also strong: 94% of participants remained in the study, and overall adherence was 85%. Researchers concluded that both Reiki and massage were safe and feasible supportive approaches for this group of patients. (PMC)
Does This Mean Reiki Has Been Proven to Treat Cancer Fatigue?
Not yet—and this distinction is important.
This was a relatively small pilot study. Although the people receiving Reiki showed larger improvements within their groups, the differences between the Reiki and massage groups were not statistically significant.
In other words, the study provides promising evidence, but it does not prove that Reiki works better than massage or establish Reiki as a treatment for cancer itself.
The researchers specifically called for larger studies to confirm the findings. (PMC)
And Reiki should be viewed as a complementary practice, not a replacement for medical care or cancer treatment.
Why This Research Matters
For me, one of the most encouraging parts of research like this is seeing practices such as Reiki being studied in clinical settings.
Reiki is gentle. It does not require exercise or physical manipulation. A person can simply rest and receive the session.
That may be especially meaningful for someone who is already exhausted or who cannot comfortably participate in other activities.
This study suggests that Reiki may have a place alongside conventional care as one possible way to support people dealing with cancer-related fatigue. (PMC)
It doesn't mean we have all the answers.
But it gives researchers another reason to keep asking the questions, and sometimes, that is exactly how change begins.
Live Your Yellow Brick Road 💜
Heal • Grow • Transform
Curious About Reiki?
Have you ever wondered what Reiki feels like—or whether it might be something you’d like to experience for yourself?
Whether you’re curious about Reiki, interested in a private session, or simply want to learn more about this gentle complementary practice, I invite you to explore further.
💜 Learn more about Reiki and Reiki sessions: www.LiveYourYellowBrickRoad.com/reiki
About the Research
The study, Feasibility and Efficacy of Reiki Versus Massage for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Breast and Prostate Cancer Receiving Hormone Therapy, was conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center and published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network in 2026. (PubMed)
A note to readers: Reiki is a complementary wellness practice and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. Anyone experiencing ongoing or significant fatigue during or after cancer treatment should discuss it with their healthcare team.
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