A Pilot Study To Evaluate The Effect Of Reflexology On The Mood And Symptom Rating Of Advanced Cancer.
Preliminary EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for cancer pain, explained
| Twenty-six patients with advanced cancer were given either reflexology or basic foot massage once weekly for six weeks. Two scales were used to assess mental and physical wellbeing. Both groups found the treatments pleasurable and relaxing, but no cumulative effect indicating the benefits of reflexology was found. Conclusion: | Reflexology and foot massage are pleasurable therapies that lead to temporary relaxation. In this study neither seemed to have a major effect on mood or common symptoms of patients with advanced cancer.
Key Findings: what this pilot study found about cancer pain
- ✓Both reflexology and basic foot massage provided temporary relaxation and were perceived as pleasurable by advanced cancer patients.
- ✓No cumulative benefit of reflexology over basic foot massage was demonstrated across the six-week treatment period.
- ✓Neither reflexology nor foot massage produced major effects on mood or common cancer symptoms in patients with advanced cancer.
What This Means for You
While reflexology may provide temporary relaxation and comfort, this small pilot study found no evidence it improves mood or symptoms in advanced cancer—so consider it for relaxation rather than symptom relief.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology's value for advanced cancer patients may lie in providing comfort and temporary relaxation rather than treating specific symptoms, though larger studies are needed to confirm effects.
Study Design: how this pilot study was run
Reflexology for cancer pain: common questions
Does reflexology help with cancer pain?
While reflexology may provide temporary relaxation and comfort, this small pilot study found no evidence it improves mood or symptoms in advanced cancer—so consider it for relaxation rather than symptom relief.
What did this study find?
Both reflexology and basic foot massage provided temporary relaxation and were perceived as pleasurable by advanced cancer patients. No cumulative benefit of reflexology over basic foot massage was demonstrated across the six-week treatment period. Neither reflexology nor foot massage produced major effects on mood or common cancer symptoms in patients with advanced cancer.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a pilot study and we rate its evidence preliminary. It covers 26 participants. It was published in Palliative Medicine, a Q1 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
Related Research
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Therapeutic Massage for Cancer Survivors: An Umbrella Review
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