Reiki for babies with colic
The Effect of Reiki Therapy on Colic Symptoms and Crying Duration in Infants With Infantile Colic, and on Maternal Fatigue and Quality of Life: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
This will test whether two short Reiki sessions for infants aged 3 weeks to 6 months reduce colic crying and also lessen mothers' fatigue and improve their quality of life.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 44 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Weeks to 6 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Yalova Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Yalova, Yalova) |
| Trial ID | NCT07254520 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This double-blind, randomized controlled trial at the University of Yalova will enroll 44 infants aged 3 weeks to 6 months diagnosed with infantile colic and randomize them 1:1 to a Reiki intervention or a control procedure. Reiki is administered twice on alternate days, and caregivers and outcome assessors are blinded to group assignment. Primary outcomes are colic symptoms measured by the Infantile Colic Scale and recorded crying duration; secondary outcomes include maternal fatigue (visual analogue scale) and maternal quality of life (WHOQOL). Data are collected at baseline and after the intervention to compare changes between groups.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Infants aged 3 weeks to 6 months diagnosed with infantile colic, born 2500–4000 g, without chronic or acute illness, whose families can attend the Yalova clinic and speak/read Turkish.
Not a fit: Babies with chronic or acute illnesses, congenital anomalies, lactose intolerance, ongoing colic treatment, or families unwilling or unable to attend the Yalova clinic or comply with the protocol are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, it could offer a low-risk, non-drug way to reduce infant crying and ease maternal fatigue.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research on touch-based and energy therapies for infant colic is limited and mixed, and Reiki specifically has little rigorous randomized evidence to date.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Infants aged between 3 weeks and 6 months. * Diagnosed with infantile colic by a physician during the study period. * Birth weight between 2500 and 4000 grams. * No presence of any chronic disease in the infant. * Family voluntarily agrees to participate in the study. * Mother has no visual or hearing impairments. * Mother is open to communication and cooperation. * Mother is able to read and understand Turkish. * Neither the mother nor the infant has received any form of energy therapy (e.g., yoga, Reiki, massage, meditation, or healing touch) within the last five months. Exclusion Criteria: * Infants with any acute or chronic illness. * Infants with congenital anomalies. * Mothers with diagnosed psychological or mental health disorders. * Infants diagnosed with lactose intolerance by a physician. * Infants who have previously been diagnosed with infantile colic and are continuing medical treatment for this condition.
Where this trial is running
Yalova, Yalova
- University of Yalova — Yalova, Yalova, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Duygu Demir, PhD — University of Yalova
- Study coordinator: Duygu Demir, PhD
- Email: duygu.demir@yalova.edu.tr
- Phone: 05053662358
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.