Complementary therapies for chronic knee pain: A placebo-controlled RCT of Reiki and mindfulness.
Adam W. Hanley, Yoshio Nakamura, Robert R Edwards, Ayaka Lingard, Kennedi Childs, Jim Faulkner, Ruthie Schnitt, Samantha Vaca-St Claire, Elizabeth Bridge, Eric L Garland
Complementary Therapies in Medicine December 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103278 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 164 |
| Population | Adults with physician-confirmed knee osteoarthritis |
| Interventions | Reiki mindfulness meditation |
| Duration | Four weekly 30-minute sessions, with follow-up at 1 month and 2 months |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Chronic pain Consciousness-based therapy Knee osteoarthritis Reiki |
| Key findings | Both Reiki and mindfulness meditation significantly improved knee osteoarthritis symptoms compared to a waitlist control, with mindfulness significantly outperforming sham Reiki. |
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent chronic pain condition that significantly impairs quality of life and is often treated with interventions that carry risks or provide limited relief. Reiki, a non-invasive complementary therapy, has shown early promise for pain management but lacks rigorous evaluation among American adults with KOA. This study evaluated the specific efficacy of Reiki and mindfulness for adults with chronic KOA pain compared to sham and waitlist control conditions. In this placebo-controlled randomized trial, 164 adults with physician-confirmed KOA were assigned to one of four groups: Reiki, sham Reiki (i.e., Feiki), mindfulness meditation, or a waitlist control. Active treatments were delivered in four weekly 30-minute sessions. KOA symptom severity, assessed using the WOMAC at baseline, 1-month, and 2-month follow-ups, significantly improved in both the Reiki (p = .02) and mindfulness (p < .001) groups compared to waitlist controls. Mindfulness significantly outperformed Feiki (p = .004). Reiki demonstrated effects comparable to mindfulness (p = .22). Clinically meaningful reductions in symptoms (>30 %) were reported by 55 % of participants in the Reiki and mindfulness groups, compared to 20 % in the Feiki group and 13 % in the waitlist group. High retention (96 %) and successful blinding support the feasibility and internal validity of this approach. These findings indicate that both Reiki and mindfulness may offer effective, well-tolerated, and time-efficient alternatives for managing KOA-related pain, with meaningful symptom improvement after just two hours of intervention. Larger trials are warranted to confirm efficacy and explore long-term outcomes and underlying mechanisms.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Validation of the revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire in experimental sessions with psilocybin Journal of Psychopharmacology October 6, 2015
- The Nondual Awareness Dimensional Assessment (NADA): New tools to assess nondual traits and states of consciousness occurring within and beyond the context of meditation. Psychological Assessment December 1, 2018
- Perspectives, Measurability and Effects of Non-Contact Biofield-Based Practices: A Narrative Review of Quantitative Research. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health June 13, 2021
- Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Addictive Behavior, Psychiatric Distress, and Chronic Pain: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Mindfulness September 15, 2022
and 2 more in the library