Comparison of the Effect of Foot and Palm Reflexology Massage on Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Premature Infants under Noninvasive Ventilation

Q: Does reflexology help with stress?

While this study shows promise for reflexology helping premature infants with breathing difficulties, the evidence is still developing and any use should only occur under medical supervision in a hospital setting.

Q: What did this study find?

Both foot and palm reflexology massage interventions were statistically significantly more effective than leg warming control in reducing respiratory distress scores in premature infants receiving noninvasive ventilation. Reflexology massage applied for 10 minutes across 6 sessions over 3 days produced measurable improvements in oxygen saturation and respiratory rate in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Foot reflexology and palm reflexology demonstrated comparable efficacy in improving respiratory outcomes in hospitalized preterm infants, suggesting both techniques may be viable complementary interventions.

Q: How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 150 participants. It was published in Complementary medicine research, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.

Authors: Miralizadeh Aysan, Peyman Akram, Jamali Soltani Neda, Ashktorab TaherehJournal: Complementary medicine researchPublished: January 1, 2022DOI: 10.1159/000517982

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.4h-index: 20

Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=150 participants

Chronic Stress

In Plain Language: reflexology for stress, explained

Respiratory distress is one of the life-threatening conditions in preterm infants. Sensory deprivation in preterm infants hospitalized in the intensive care units affects their physiological and psychological development. Therefore, this study is an attempt to compare the effects of foot and palm reflexology on respiratory distress in infants subjected to noninvasive ventilation. In this clinical study, 150 infants hospitalized at Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan were randomly assigned to 3 groups. In the intervention groups, the reflexology massage to foot and palm was performed for 10 min within 3 days in 6 rounds. In the control group, leg warming was performed. In each group, the personal information checklist, the respiratory distress score, oxygen saturation percentage, and respiratory rate before and after the daily intervention were examined. Data analysis was performed using the standard statistical tests in SPSS. The results mirrored the statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups 3 days into the intervention with regard to the average oxygen saturation percentage, respiratory rate, and the respiratory distress score (p < 0.05). When eliminating the effect of confounding variables, therapeutic intervention applied to palm compared to foot had a greater effect on reducing respiratory distress score in the studied infants. The reflexology massage method, especially palm reflexology massage, contributes to the mitigation of respiratory distress in preterm infants subjected to noninvasive ventilation. Hence, this low-cost and efficient intervention program can be recommended as a complementary method for preterm infants with respiratory distress. Einleitung: Das Atemnotsyndrom ist eine lebensbedrohliche Erkrankung von Frühgeborenen. Der Mangel an Sinneswahrnehmungen bei Frühgeborenen, die auf der Intensivstation behandelt werden, wirkt sich auf ihre physische und psychische Entwicklung aus. Daher ist die vor

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about stress

✓Both foot and palm reflexology massage interventions were statistically significantly more effective than leg warming control in reducing respiratory distress scores in premature infants receiving noninvasive ventilation.
✓Reflexology massage applied for 10 minutes across 6 sessions over 3 days produced measurable improvements in oxygen saturation and respiratory rate in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
✓Foot reflexology and palm reflexology demonstrated comparable efficacy in improving respiratory outcomes in hospitalized preterm infants, suggesting both techniques may be viable complementary interventions.

What This Means for You

While this study shows promise for reflexology helping premature infants with breathing difficulties, the evidence is still developing and any use should only occur under medical supervision in a hospital setting.

What This Means for Practitioners

Research suggests palm reflexology may be more effective than foot reflexology for respiratory distress in premature infants, providing a potential clinical application in neonatal care settings.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

150 participants

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Reflexology for stress: common questions

Does reflexology help with stress?

What did this study find?

Both foot and palm reflexology massage interventions were statistically significantly more effective than leg warming control in reducing respiratory distress scores in premature infants receiving noninvasive ventilation. Reflexology massage applied for 10 minutes across 6 sessions over 3 days produced measurable improvements in oxygen saturation and respiratory rate in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Foot reflexology and palm reflexology demonstrated comparable efficacy in improving respiratory outcomes in hospitalized preterm infants, suggesting both techniques may be viable complementary interventions.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 150 participants. It was published in Complementary medicine research, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.