A pilot randomised controlled trial exploring the effects of antenatal reflexology on labour outcomes

Q: Does reflexology help with pregnancy?

This pilot study suggests reflexology during pregnancy may shorten labour duration, though the evidence is preliminary and results are most relevant for first-time mothers with back or pelvic pain.

Q: What did this study find?

Antenatal reflexology reduced the duration of the second stage of labour by an average of 44 minutes compared to usual care alone. The study included 90 primiparous women with singleton pregnancies who experienced low back and/or pelvic girdle pain and received six weekly 30-minute reflexology treatments. Labour outcome data were successfully collected for 61 women (95.3%) who completed the pilot randomised controlled trial conducted in a UK inner city hospital maternity department.

Q: How strong is this evidence?

This is a pilot study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 90 participants. It was published in Midwifery, a Q1 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.

Authors: McCullough Julie E M, Close Ciara, Liddle S Dianne, Sinclair Marlene, Hughes Ciara MJournal: MidwiferyPublished: December 1, 2017DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2017.09.006

Q1 JournalSJR: 1h-index: 87SCImago

Moderate EvidencePilotn=90 participants

Pregnancy Discomfort

In Plain Language: reflexology for pregnancy, explained

to investigate the effects of antenatal reflexology on labour outcomes. secondary analysis of a pilot three-armed randomised controlled trial conducted between July 2012 and September 2013. a large UK inner city hospital maternity department. ninety primiparous women with a singleton pregnancy experiencing low back and / or pelvic girdle pain. six weekly 30-minute reflexology treatments compared to sham (footbath) treatments or usual antenatal care only. labour outcome data including labour onset, duration of the second stage of labour, epidural and Entonox usage, and mode of delivery. Participant feedback was collected prior to each treatment. labour outcomes were collected for 61 women (95.3%) who completed the study. The second stage of labour duration data, available for 42 women (62.5%) who had vaginal births, showed a mean reduction of 44minutes in the reflexology group (73.56minutes; SD= 53.78) compared to the usual care (117.92minutes; SD=56.15) (p<0.05) and footbath groups (117.4minutes; SD=68.54) (p=0.08). No adverse effects were reported. in this trial antenatal reflexology reduced labour duration for primiparous women who had experienced low back and/ or pelvic girdle pain during their pregnancy, compared with usual care and footbaths. reflexology is suitable for use during pregnancy, is safe and enjoyable and may reduce labour duration. Midwives may wish to recommend reflexology to promote normal childbirth and facilitate women centred care. this trial was listed with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN26607527).

Key Findings: what this pilot study found about pregnancy

✓Antenatal reflexology reduced the duration of the second stage of labour by an average of 44 minutes compared to usual care alone.
✓The study included 90 primiparous women with singleton pregnancies who experienced low back and/or pelvic girdle pain and received six weekly 30-minute reflexology treatments.
✓Labour outcome data were successfully collected for 61 women (95.3%) who completed the pilot randomised controlled trial conducted in a UK inner city hospital maternity department.

What This Means for You

This pilot study suggests reflexology during pregnancy may shorten labour duration, though the evidence is preliminary and results are most relevant for first-time mothers with back or pelvic pain.

What This Means for Practitioners

This trial provides preliminary support for recommending antenatal reflexology to pregnant clients experiencing low back or pelvic girdle pain, particularly for potentially reducing second-stage labour duration.

Study Design: how this pilot study was run

Sample Size

90 participants

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Reflexology for pregnancy: common questions

Does reflexology help with pregnancy?

This pilot study suggests reflexology during pregnancy may shorten labour duration, though the evidence is preliminary and results are most relevant for first-time mothers with back or pelvic pain.

What did this study find?

Antenatal reflexology reduced the duration of the second stage of labour by an average of 44 minutes compared to usual care alone. The study included 90 primiparous women with singleton pregnancies who experienced low back and/or pelvic girdle pain and received six weekly 30-minute reflexology treatments. Labour outcome data were successfully collected for 61 women (95.3%) who completed the pilot randomised controlled trial conducted in a UK inner city hospital maternity department.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a pilot study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 90 participants. It was published in Midwifery, a Q1 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.