Acupuncture and reflexology for insomnia: a feasibility study.
Preliminary EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for sleep, explained
This feasibility study examined whether acupuncture and reflexology could be tested as treatments for insomnia in a larger research trial. The researchers worked out the practical steps needed to run such a study, laying groundwork for future research on these therapies.
Key Findings: what this pilot study found about sleep
- ✓This study established the feasibility of conducting a larger randomized controlled trial testing acupuncture and reflexology as insomnia treatments.
- ✓The researchers identified and documented the practical protocols and procedures necessary for implementing such a trial in future studies.
What This Means for You
While this study shows reflexology and acupuncture are worth investigating for insomnia, it was only a planning study—more rigorous testing is needed before we can say whether these treatments actually help you sleep better.
What This Means for Practitioners
Use the feasibility framework established here to inform your practice protocols and client recruitment strategies as stronger evidence develops.
Reflexology for sleep: common questions
Does reflexology help with sleep?
While this study shows reflexology and acupuncture are worth investigating for insomnia, it was only a planning study—more rigorous testing is needed before we can say whether these treatments actually help you sleep better.
What did this study find?
This study established the feasibility of conducting a larger randomized controlled trial testing acupuncture and reflexology as insomnia treatments. The researchers identified and documented the practical protocols and procedures necessary for implementing such a trial in future studies.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a pilot study and we rate its evidence preliminary. It was published in Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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