Reiki to support immunotherapy-related fatigue, pain, and stress in adults with cancer
Biofield Therapy for the Support of Immunotherapy-related Symptoms Among Adult Cancer Patients - A Pilot Study
This pilot will try Reiki, a gentle hands-near relaxation therapy, to see if it helps adults with cancer on immunotherapy who are experiencing fatigue, pain, or emotional distress.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, Irvine Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | immunotherapy |
| Locations | 2 sites (Irvine, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07581080 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot interventional project delivers weekly Usui Reiki sessions to adults with cancer who are actively receiving PD‑1 or PD‑L1 immunotherapy and report clinically significant fatigue. Participants continue standard cancer care while receiving Reiki from a trained practitioner, and symptom outcomes such as fatigue, pain, and stress are measured. The trial also examines feasibility outcomes including recruitment, retention, adherence, and acceptability of offering Reiki in the oncology clinic. Reiki is provided as a complementary, non‑invasive supportive practice and is not a replacement for medical treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18) with cancer who are actively receiving PD‑1 or PD‑L1 immunotherapy, report clinically significant fatigue, can travel weekly to UCI sites, and can communicate in English or Spanish.
Not a fit: Patients unlikely to benefit include those not receiving immunotherapy, people who had Reiki in the past 30 days, individuals with severe untreated psychiatric illness, pregnant people, or those unable to attend weekly in-person sessions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Reiki could offer a low-risk, non-medical option to reduce fatigue, pain, and stress and improve quality of life for patients receiving immunotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Small trials of Reiki and other biofield therapies have reported modest improvements in relaxation, pain, or fatigue, but the overall evidence is limited and inconclusive.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be greater than 18 years of age. * Currently diagnosed with cancer. * Actively receiving immunotherapy treatment with ICI (PD1 or -PD-L1 inhibitor (single-agent immunotherapy or immunotherapy in combination with other agents; also including the use of steroids if applicable) * Report clinically significant fatigue over the past 7 days. * Able to travel to the study site to receive Reiki treatments once a week. * Understanding and willing to complete all study procedures. * Capable of giving written informed consent. * Proficient ability to speak, read, and write in English or Spanish. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals currently receiving or received Reiki treatment in the past 30 days * Currently diagnosed with a severe psychiatric illness (i.e. schizophrenia, dementia, major depression with suicidal ideations) * Currently pregnant or intending to become pregnant during the study timeframe
Where this trial is running
Irvine, California and 1 other locations
- UCI Health Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute — Irvine, California, United States (Recruiting)
- UCI Health — Orange, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Dalia Kagramanov, PhD
- Email: dkagrama@hs.uci.edu
- Phone: 323-961-2728
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.