Reiki, a Japanese word that means universal life force, is considered most effective for alleviating pain, depression and anxiety.
Researchers at the University of Washington will analyze a Japanese method of what is said to be healing energy, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.
The study of what is called Reiki is being conducted at Harborview Medical Center and conducted under a $304,808 grant from the National Institutes of Health to determine whether Reiki can alleviate a chronic muscle pain condition called fibromyalgia, suffered by about 6 million in the United States.
The cause is unknown, but symptoms include headache, fatigue, sleeping problems and psychological distress.