Healing touch after open heart surgery: reiki and massage may ease pain and improve sleep

NCT ID NCT05853250

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: The Cleveland Clinic Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether Reiki (a light-touch energy therapy) and manual therapy (gentle massage) can improve recovery after open heart surgery. 272 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 20 minutes of these therapies for 3 days after surgery, or usual care with rest. Researchers measured depression, anxiety, pain, sleep, hospital stay length, and complications. The goal is to see if these complementary therapies help patients feel better and recover faster.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Reiki and manual therapy
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to help heart surgery patients feel less pain and anxiety and sleep better after their operation.
What could go wrong: This is a completed study, but it was not blinded, so results may be influenced by patients knowing they received the therapy. The effects may be small or not apply to all heart surgery patients.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

coronary artery disorder heart valve disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASES VALVULAR HEART DISEASES

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

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