09/02/2026
I love seeing more research being done on Reiki.
A 2026 study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network looked at Reiki and massage for cancer-related fatigue in people with breast or prostate cancer receiving hormone therapy.
87 participants were randomly assigned to receive either 2 massage sessions, 2 Reiki sessions, or 4 Reiki sessions.
All three groups experienced improvements in fatigue, but the Reiki groups showed larger improvements than the massage group, with the greatest improvements seen in the group that received 4 Reiki sessions.
The researchers concluded that Reiki and massage were safe, feasible and promising options for helping manage cancer-related fatigue. They also noted that larger studies are still needed.
I always love seeing Reiki continue to be studied alongside traditional medical care. Reiki isn’t a replacement for medical treatment, but research like this is another reason I love offering it as a complementary practice.
Research: McGuire et al., Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2026
Read the study here:
Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common, distressing symptom in patients undergoing hormone therapy for breast and prostate cancer. Although exercise is recommended, it is not suitable for all patients. Passive therapies such as massage and Reiki may offer accessible alternatives. This....