Changes of cerebral functional connectivity induced by foot reflexology in a RCT
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology, explained
Non-Pharmacological Interventions (NPIs) are increasingly being introduced into healthcare, but their mechanisms are unclear. In this study, 30 healthy participants received foot reflexology (FR) and sham massage, and went through a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to evaluate NPIs effect on brain. Rs-fMRI revealed an effect of both NPIs on functional connectivity with changes occurring in the default-mode network, the sensorimotor network and a Neural Network Correlates of Pain (NNCP-a newly discovered network showing great robustness). Even if no differences were found between FR and SM, this study allowed to report brain biomarkers of well-being as well as the safety of NPIs. In further research, it could be relevant to study it in patients to look for a true reflexology induced-effect dependent of patient reported outcomes. Overall, these findings enrich the understanding of the neural correlates of well-being experienced with NPIs and provided insight into the basis of the mechanisms of NPIs.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found
- ✓Foot reflexology produced measurable changes in cerebral functional connectivity across the default-mode network, sensorimotor network, and a newly identified Neural Network Correlates of Pain.
- ✓Both foot reflexology and sham massage induced similar effects on brain functional connectivity, suggesting non-specific mechanisms may contribute to the neurobiological effects of non-pharmacological interventions.
- ✓The study identified brain biomarkers associated with well-being in response to non-pharmacological interventions and demonstrated their safety in healthy participants.
What This Means for You
This study shows foot reflexology does activate brain regions associated with well-being, though it works similarly to placebo massage in healthy people—meaning the relaxation benefit is real even if not unique to reflexology.
What This Means for Practitioners
Your reflexology sessions produce measurable changes in brain networks linked to well-being, providing scientific validation that your work has genuine neurological effects beyond placebo.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
This study shows foot reflexology does activate brain regions associated with well-being, though it works similarly to placebo massage in healthy people—meaning the relaxation benefit is real even if not unique to reflexology.
What did this study find?
Foot reflexology produced measurable changes in cerebral functional connectivity across the default-mode network, sensorimotor network, and a newly identified Neural Network Correlates of Pain. Both foot reflexology and sham massage induced similar effects on brain functional connectivity, suggesting non-specific mechanisms may contribute to the neurobiological effects of non-pharmacological interventions. The study identified brain biomarkers associated with well-being in response to non-pharmacological interventions and demonstrated their safety in healthy participants.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 30 participants. It was published in Scientific reports. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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