Feasibility and Efficacy of Reiki Versus Massage for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Breast and Prostate Cancer Receiving Hormone Therapy

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common, distressing symptom in patients undergoing hormone therapy for breast and prostate cancer. Although exercise is recommended, it is not suitable for all patients. Passive therapies such as massage and Reiki may offer accessible alternatives. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Reiki and massage therapy in reducing CRF, with Reiki also assessed for potential dose-response effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adults (age ≥21 years) with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors or with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for at least 8 weeks, who reported moderate CRF (score ≥4/10), were enrolled if they had completed other cancer treatments at least 2 months prior. Exclusion criteria included planned nonhormonal cancer treatments, use of erythropoietin or darbepoetin, recent professional massage or energy therapy, or contraindications to massage. CRF was assessed using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). ANCOVA, adjusted for baseline values, was used to evaluate between-group differences in BFI total score at week 6. Cohen d was used to estimate within-group effect sizes. Feasibility was assessed based on recruitment, retention, and adherence. RESULTS: A total of 87 participants (breast cancer, n=57; prostate cancer, n=30) were randomized to 2 sessions of massage therapy, 2 sessions of Reiki, or 4 sessions of Reiki. All interventions significantly reduced CRF from baseline (P<.001). Reiki produced greater within-group effect sizes (Cohen d=0.81-1.49 for 2 sessions; 0.99-1.49 for 4 sessions) than massage (d=0.50-0.60). The 4-session Reiki group had the largest reductions in total CRF (d=1.16), worst CRF (d=1.49), and CRF interference (d=0.99). Feasibility was high, with 51% recruitment, 94% retention, and 85% adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Reiki and massage are safe, feasible, and promising interventions for managing CRF in patients receiving hormone therapy. Reiki showed the largest improvements, supporting its clinical relevance. Larger trials are needed to confirm these findings and inform CRF management guidelines. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT02758756.