Scientific Studies
 

• Dr. Robert Becker and Dr. John Zimmerman studies on Reiki (1980's)

These two investigators found out, that Reiki and its working induces people to a lower state of relaxation. This state is comparable to the "Alpha State", also found in deep meditation or trance.

Additionally, they found out that Reiki is stimulated in the area of brain of the practitioner called the thalamus, generating in the process what resembles to electrical pulses. These pulses travel through out the body of the practitioner (not being confined to the brain or nervous system), reaching the hands.

As soon as the practitioner hands touch the patient, they stimulate certain areas of the body (glands and nervous central system), inducing people to a state of deep relaxation. This study indicates, that the Reiki energy is passed to the patient mainly via the perineural system of the body.

Dr. Becker and Dr. Zimmerman concluded, that Reiki electrical pulses work in synchrony with the pulse of the earth. This idea had already been studied by Dr. Schuman, leading to a theory known by the "Schuman Resonance".

Dr. Becker also believes, that this healing system does not obey to any particular religion or doctrine, having evident health benefits both for healers and patients.
 

• Prof. Paul Davies and Dr. John Gribben (1991, " The Mater Myth")

This book and theories, refer to Reiki as a field of the "Quantum Physics".
Reiki in the perspective of Dr. Paul Davies and Dr. John Gribben allows humans to expand their consciousness, living in interdependence with the universe and nature.
 

• Dr. John Zimmerman (1990, USA) and Dr. Seto (1992, Japan)

These two investigators have been carrying out studies into the healing abilities of Reiki, alongside with studies about the "Pulsating Biomagnetic Field of Healers", or energy emitted by the hands of the Reiki practitioner.

According to their studies, Reiki has a pulse or frequency of its own and equal in terms of length to human brain waves. During Reiki treatments, the brain of the patient is sweep down to a frequency from 0.3 - 30 HZ.

Interesting enough, many medical and scientific studies point out, that both illness and recovery can be studied and analysed via electromagnetic waves. So, particular illnesses or body recovery occurs in different waves or frequency lengths ex:

• Ligament mending  - 10 HZ;

• Bone growth - 7 HZ wave length;

• Capillary formation - 15 HZ;

• Nerve regeneration - 2 HZ wave length;

• etc.

Reason why in recent years, many investigators into complementary treatments developed equipment emitting these waves, along with ultra sound technology.
Its also scientifically proofed, that ultra sound technology (emitted by Dolphins and Wales), aid people in cases of depression, cancer, clogged arteries, capillary problems, bone growth difficulties, kidney stones, tissue regeneration difficulties etc.

Sound and electromagnetic waves relate to the functioning of human beings, animals and nature, and are presently being studied by militaries and marine.
 

• Dr. Mehmen Oz (Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Columbia Medical Centre in New York)

Dr. Oz believes, that Reiki helps people to heal and recover faster from surgery and chronically illnesses.
He also believes that people feel less pain under a Reiki treatment, coping better with the negative effects of certain medication.
The mental state of the patients also registers significant improvements with Reiki, and people learn how to cope better with disease and healing in general.
 

• M.D. Daniel Benor (Writer of Scientific Validation Of A Healing Revolution)

According to this investigator and writer, Reiki is very effective and works wonders in humans. And this can be proofed via a gathering of 124 scientific studies, regarding the effectiveness of Reiki and spiritual healing.
 

• Ph.D. James L. Oschman, Research Biologist (Winter 2002 issue, Science and the Human Energy Field on page 32)

Dr. Oschman has both a degree on Biophysics and Biology from the University of Pittsburgh, and is one of the worlds most renown authorities on the scientific understanding of alternative healing and Reiki.

He developed  studies for 20 years into alternative healing, auras and Reiki, having worked in major research labs worldwide.
Dr. Oschman also published books and scientific papers, on the existence of the human energy field and it's importance for our general wellbeing.

Recommended books:

"Energy Medicine in Therapeutics and Human Performance"
Butterworth-Heinemann (March 8, 2003)

"Energy Medicine: The Scientific basis"

Links:

www.energyresearch.bizland.com

• Dr. Ahlam Mansour (College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Canada)
   

Dr. Ahlam Mansour was granted 20.000 USD, to develop studies into the effects of Reiki on breast cancer patients, people suffering from anxiety and going through chemotherapy.

This investigation was sponsored by the "Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative", best known by CBCRI.

Link:

http://www.usask.ca/communications/ocn/Nov13-98/seminars.html
 

• Ph.D. Martha Lucas (Research advisor for an international Reiki Research Project, George Washington University)

Dr. Lucas works mainly with people suffering from Aids, MS, Migraines and Diabetes. Many Reiki practitioners were invited to join her research, shedding some light into the healing abilities of complementary medicine practices.

Link:

http://www.webcom.com/~hrtmath/IHM/Research/SubtleEnergy.html
 

• Stacey Hebner (Yale University School of Nursing)

The Yale University School of Nursing, is presently conducting studies into the use of Reiki in the Childbearing Cycle ( during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum).

E-mail address: hebner@aol.com
 

• Dr. Gary E. Schwartz (University of Arizona in Tucson - Human Energy Systems Lab)

Dr. Schwartz and his team, are developing studies into human energy and how it communicates between two individuals.
This study also covers electrical impulses, that can be registered in the brain and heart of the persons involved in this study.

Links:

http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/
http://www.openmindsciences.com/hbo-exp.htm
 

• Dr. Andrew Weil (Director of the Program in Integrative Medicine and clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Arizona at Tucson).

"At the moment, all of this remains on the fringes of conventional science, but my hunch is that energy medicine will come into its own in the next few decades."
Dr. Andrew Weil

Links:

http://www.rosenthal.hs.columbia.edu/Staff.html
http://www.hollyhock.ca/program_details.cfm?Group_ID=3504
 

• Professor Bernard Grad (retired Associate Professor of Psychiatry at McGill University in Montreal )

Prof. Grad has been developing studies using the system of laying on of hands for the past 35 years. His studies are both conducted on people, plants, seeds and animals.
He has also published about 70 papers in the fields of aging, cancer, and endocrinology.

Links:

http://www.aspr.com/dynamics.htm
http://www.ultramind.ws/laying_on_of_hands.htm
http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/aboutsi/index.htm
 

• Dr. Daniel Worth (President of the Healing Sciences International)

Dr. Worth carried in depth studies into the effects of Reiki, having asked many students to volunteer for a project that can be viewed on a BBC documentary called “A Way of Healing.”
 

Medical Papers on Reiki

• Olson K, Hanson J. (1997)
  "Using Reiki to manage pain: a preliminary report." Cancer Prevention Control 1997. The Cross Cancer Institute (Edmonton, Canada) developed studies to explore Reiki as a useful healing technique to manage pain in patients suffering from cancer.
   

• Brewitt B., Vittetoe T., Hartwell B. (1997)
  "The Efficacy of Reiki Hands-On Healing: Improvements in spleen and nervous system function as quantified by electro dermal screening".
   

• Bullock M. (1997)
  "Reiki: A Complementary Therapy for Life"
  The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care
   

• Sawyer J. (1998)
  "The First Reiki Practitioner in our OR"
  AORN Journal (Association of Operating Room Nurses).
   

• Dr. Mehmet Oz (1998)
  "Hands of Life" (Bantam Books New York)
  Dr. Oz used Reiki during hart transplants and open heart surgeries. Reiki was also used in the operating room of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City (New York Times magazine).
   

• Mansour A. A., Beuche M., Laing G., Leis A., Nurse J. (1999)
  "Conducted a study to test the effectiveness of placebo Reiki standardization procedures developed for a planned Reiki efficacy study."
   

• Aladydy P., Alandydy K. (1999)
  "Using Reiki to Support Surgical Patients".
  Journal of Nursing Care Quality.
   

• "Reiki Vibrational Healing" (2003)
   Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine.
   

• Miles P., True G. (2003)
  "Review of a Biofield Therapy: History, Theory, Practice and Research".
  Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine.
   

• Miles P. (2003)
  "Preliminary report on the use of Reiki for HIV-related pain and anxiety". Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine".
   

• Schmehr R. (2003)
  Case Report: "Enhancing the Treatment of HIV/AIDS with REIKI Training and Treatment."
  Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine.
   

• Schiller R. (2003)
  "Reiki: A Starting Point for Integrative Medicine".
  Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine.
   

• Alandydy P. (2003)
  Guidelines for Hospital Reiki Practice.
   

• National library of medicine - Online database of Medicine www.ncbi.nlm.nih.goy/PubMed/ (Studies on Reiki).
   
• Department of Public Relations & Marketing Communications, University of Michigan
  "Reiki Technique Study to Control Chronic Pain in Diabetic Neuropathy"
  Link: http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/topics/alt03.htm
  The University of Michigan Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Center is studying Reiki and its effects on chronic pain and diabetic neuropathy.
   
• Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
   
• The Tucson Medical Center in Arizona
  This center has a team of Reiki healers helping patients in their rooms.
  This program was initially experimented in the "Cancer Care Unit", having expanded to other areas in the hospital.
  Presently, Reiki practitioners help people with the following health problems: cancer, chronic pain, terminal illnesses, post-operative surgery and childbirth.
   
• William Lee Rand
  "Reiki In Hospitals"
  Link: http://www.reiki.org/Healing/reiki_in_hospitals.html
   
• etc.

Reiki in American hospitals

• Grass Lake Medical Center;

• Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center (New York;

• Tucson Medical Center;

• Marin General Hospital (California, Marin County);

• Portsmouth Regional Hospital (New Hampshire, Portsmouth);

• California Pacific Medical Center (Northern California);

• University of Michigan Medical School (Michigan);

• etc.

• Wetzel 1989;
• Wirth 1993;
• Wirth 1996;
• Olson and Hanson 1997;
• Mansour 1999;
• Wardell and Engebretson 2001;
• Shiflett 2002;
• Miles 2003.