Before and after study shows Reiki reduces cortisol and perceived stress in individuals with chronic stress, suggesting potential management benefits.
This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Reiki as a complementary intervention in regulating serum cortisol levels and reducing perceived stress. Forty participants with chronic stress were enrolled, and baseline measurements including age, gender distribution, cortisol levels, and blood pressure were obtained. Three standardized Usui Reiki and japanese techniques sessions were administered, and post-intervention measurements were collected to assess changes in cortisol levels, perceived stress, and blood pressure. Statistical analysis involved paired t-tests for pre- and post-intervention comparisons. The results revealed a significant reduction in serum cortisol levels following the Reiki intervention. Participants reported a substantial decrease in perceived stress after the Reiki sessions. These findings provide strong evidence for the effectiveness of Usui Reiki with Japanese techniques in regulating serum cortisol levels, alleviating stress-related symptoms and improving blood pressure values. A significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed post-intervention, suggesting the potential benefits of Reiki in managing hypertension. Integrating Reiki into holistic management approaches for patients with these conditions is recommended, and further research is necessary to deepen our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and individual response to Reiki intervention.
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Rios et al. (2026) studied this question.
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