Prospective Observational Study of Patient-Reported Outcomes Following a Multicomponent Reiki Therapy Programme in the Netherlands Using the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP)
Agnete Egilsdatter Kristoffersen, Louise T. C. Mulder, Herman A. van WietmarschenBackground
Reiki, a Japanese healing practice, is increasingly recognised worldwide as a complementary therapy. Much of the existing research focuses on isolating its effects as a standalone energy-healing modality. However, few studies reflect how Reiki is delivered in real-world settings as part of a holistic, multicomponent approach.
Objective
This study aimed to describe the complaints reported by clients attending a Reiki healing centre and to evaluate changes in self-reported symptoms, activity limitations, overall well-being, and medication use following a four-week multicomponent Reiki programme. It also explored whether baseline characteristics (e.g., age, sex, and type of complaint) were associated with outcomes.
Methods
This observational pre–post study evaluated the self-reported effects of a multicomponent Reiki therapy programme among 65 participants in the Netherlands. Participants received four weekly two-hour sessions. Symptom severity, well-being, and activity limitations were assessed before and after the intervention using the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP). Analyses included Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, paired t-tests, and Cohen’s d effect sizes.
Results
Following the four-week multicomponent Reiki therapy programme, participants reported statistically significant improvements across MYMOP domains. The most common primary complaints were pain (48%) and psychological concerns (34%). Mean improvement across primary and secondary symptoms, activity limitations, and well-being was 50%. Musculoskeletal symptoms showed the greatest improvement (81%), followed by psychological complaints (57%). Improvements were also reported for pain (40%), stress (38%), and fatigue (34%). Activity limitations improved by 51%, and well-being improved by 39%. Medication use decreased from 31% at baseline to 18% after treatment.
Conclusion
In this pragmatic observational study, participation in a multicomponent Reiki therapy programme was associated with self-reported improvements in symptom severity, activity limitations, well-being, and medication use. As this was an uncontrolled, practice-based study, causal inferences cannot be made. The findings should therefore be considered preliminary and hypothesis-generating.