Can reiki ease cancer pain? small study says maybe

NCT ID NCT06354049

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether Reiki, a relaxation therapy where a practitioner places hands on or near the body, could help cancer patients with symptoms like pain and fatigue. Ten adults with cancer who had at least three bothersome symptoms received up to six Reiki sessions. Researchers measured how many people joined and stayed in the study, and how satisfied they were, to see if this approach is worth studying further.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Reiki (a hands-on or hands-above relaxation therapy)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a gentle, drug-free way to help cancer patients feel better and manage symptoms like pain and fatigue.
What could go wrong: This was a very small, early study with only 10 people, so results may not apply to everyone. It focused on whether the therapy was practical, not on proving it works.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer Cancer Pain neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CANCER PAIN ONCOLOGY PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States

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