Painful diabetic neuropathy: impact of an alternative approach.

P ainful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) can be refractory to conventional pharmacologic therapy (1–3), which may have significant side effects. Reiki is a hands-on therapy based on the theoretical existence of a bioenergy field intrinsic to the human body (4). Reiki practitioners believe that this bioenergy field can be altered by a trained practitioner and that this can ameliorate disabling symptoms. However, its therapeutic efficacy remains unclear (5). This trial therefore assessed the efficacy of Reiki therapy to alleviate pain and improve mobility and quality of life in subjects with type 2 diabetes and PDN.