Reiki therapy to help patients with gynecological cancers undergoing brachytherapy

Reiki-Brachy: An Interventional Treatment Trial Using Reiki Therapy to Improve Symptoms Associated With Brachytherapy in Patients With Gynecological Malignancies

Phase 2 Interventional University of Utah · NCT05979610

This study tests if Reiki therapy can help reduce anxiety, pain, and depression in women with gynecological cancers who are about to start brachytherapy.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment70 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of Utah Academic / other
Locations1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Trial IDNCT05979610 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Reiki therapy in alleviating symptoms for patients receiving their first brachytherapy treatment for gynecological malignancies. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive Reiki therapy or standard care during the waiting period before their treatment. The study will measure various outcomes, including anxiety, pain, and depression, through questionnaires administered on the treatment day and at a three-month follow-up. The goal is to determine if Reiki therapy can provide significant benefits compared to usual care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of endometrial, cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer who are eligible for outpatient brachytherapy.

Not a fit: Patients who have previously undergone brachytherapy for a gynecological malignancy or have conditions that impair their ability to participate may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could offer a complementary therapy to improve the quality of life for patients undergoing brachytherapy for gynecological cancers.

How similar studies have performed: While Reiki therapy has been explored in various contexts, this specific application in conjunction with brachytherapy for gynecological cancers is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subject aged ≥ 18 years.
* Pathologically confirmed malignancy of the endometrium, cervix, vagina or vulva.
* Eligible to undergo brachytherapy treatment as an outpatient procedure.
* Able to read and understand English and/or Spanish.
* Able to provide informed consent and willing to sign an approved consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines.
* Willing to participate in either the Reiki therapy or standard of care arm regardless of treatment assignment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior brachytherapy treatment for a gynecological malignancy.
* Medical, psychiatric, cognitive, or other conditions that may compromise the subject's ability to understand the subject information, give informed consent, comply with the study protocol or complete the study.

Where this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Gynecologic NeoplasmBrachytherapyTherapeutic TouchEndometrial CancerCervical CancerVaginal CancerVulvar CancerReiki
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.