A comparison the effects of reflexology and relaxation on the psychological symptoms in women with multiple sclerosis.
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology, explained
Researchers compared reflexology and relaxation techniques to see which was better at reducing psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression in women with multiple sclerosis. Both treatments appeared to help improve mood and psychological well-being, though the study would benefit from larger numbers of participants to confirm the results.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found
- ✓Both reflexology and relaxation techniques were effective at reducing psychological symptoms including anxiety and depression in women with multiple sclerosis.
- ✓Both treatments demonstrated improvements in mood and overall psychological well-being among study participants.
- ✓The study's findings would benefit from confirmation through research with larger participant populations.
What This Means for You
Reflexology may help reduce psychological symptoms in MS, but the evidence is still building—combining it with other relaxation approaches may offer the best benefit.
What This Means for Practitioners
This study supports reflexology's role in managing psychological symptoms in MS patients, positioning it as a viable complementary therapy alongside standard relaxation techniques.
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
Reflexology may help reduce psychological symptoms in MS, but the evidence is still building—combining it with other relaxation approaches may offer the best benefit.
What did this study find?
Both reflexology and relaxation techniques were effective at reducing psychological symptoms including anxiety and depression in women with multiple sclerosis. Both treatments demonstrated improvements in mood and overall psychological well-being among study participants. The study's findings would benefit from confirmation through research with larger participant populations.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It was published in Journal of education and health promotion, a Q3 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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