Clients' perceptions of the benefits of reflexology on their quality of life
Limited EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for cancer pain, explained
Awareness has increased among health-care professionals, patients and the general public of the importance of an holistic approach to cancer care. Psychosocial interventions, including complementary therapies, may help to improve the quality of life (QoL) of people with cancer by helping to reduce the distress associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and by facilitating improved psychological adjustment to the experience of cancer. The following article presents anecdotal findings at ARC Cancer Support Centre Dublin, Ireland, of clients' perceptions of the benefits of reflexology interventions on their QoL. Reflexology interventions were perceived to impact positively upon clients' levels of impairment and functional status, including physical and psychological function, with implications for general health perceptions. The paper discusses how these findings might form the basis of further, more rigourous evaluation of the benefits of reflexology for people with cancer at ARC Cancer Support Centre.
Key Findings: what this qualitative study found about cancer pain
- ✓Clients perceived reflexology interventions as having positive impacts on their physical and psychological functioning and overall health perceptions.
- ✓Reflexology was perceived to help reduce distress associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment while facilitating improved psychological adjustment to the cancer experience.
- ✓The findings suggest reflexology may improve quality of life in cancer patients through psychosocial benefits, warranting more rigorous evaluation.
What This Means for You
People with cancer reported feeling better after reflexology in terms of physical and emotional well-being, but this evidence is based on personal stories rather than controlled scientific studies, so results may vary.
What This Means for Practitioners
Document and track your clients' reported improvements in quality of life and functional status, as these anecdotal findings could support more rigorous future research on reflexology's benefits for cancer patients.
Reflexology for cancer pain: common questions
Does reflexology help with cancer pain?
People with cancer reported feeling better after reflexology in terms of physical and emotional well-being, but this evidence is based on personal stories rather than controlled scientific studies, so results may vary.
What did this study find?
Clients perceived reflexology interventions as having positive impacts on their physical and psychological functioning and overall health perceptions. Reflexology was perceived to help reduce distress associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment while facilitating improved psychological adjustment to the cancer experience. The findings suggest reflexology may improve quality of life in cancer patients through psychosocial benefits, warranting more rigorous evaluation.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a qualitative study and we rate its evidence limited. It was published in Complementary therapies in nursing & midwifery, a Q1 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
Related Research
Complementary therapy in practice
Engaging Patients in Research That Involves Meditation: Religious Concerns and Nursing Implications
Improving Quality of Life in The Constipated Older Person: Reflexology or Abdominal Massage? A Two-Group, Randomized Comparative Trial
Mind-Body Interventions for People With Cancer: Evidence, Innovation, and Implementation
Therapeutic Massage for Cancer Survivors: An Umbrella Review
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