Does Reflexology Impact on Cancer Patients’ Quality of Life?
Limited EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for cancer pain, explained
| Twelve cancer patients aged 58 to 80 years (five female and seven male) with various tumor types completed visual analogue scales before and after receiving either reflexology or placebo reflexology forty minute sessions. Conclusion: | Reflexology does have an impact on the quality of life of patients in the palliative stage of cancer. All participants in the study (reflexology and placebo reflexology) reported benefits from the intervention. However, due to the small sample size, these results cannot be generalized to the main population.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about cancer pain
- ✓Reflexology demonstrated a positive impact on quality of life in cancer patients in the palliative stage.
- ✓Both reflexology and placebo reflexology groups reported benefits, suggesting a potential placebo effect or non-specific therapeutic benefit.
- ✓The study's small sample size of twelve participants limits the generalizability of findings to the broader cancer patient population.
What This Means for You
While this small study suggests reflexology may help cancer patients feel better, the results are preliminary and cannot be trusted as definitive proof due to the tiny sample size and the fact that even fake reflexology appeared to help.
What This Means for Practitioners
This pilot study provides preliminary support for reflexology in palliative cancer care, but you should acknowledge to clients that larger, better-designed studies are needed to confirm these benefits.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Reflexology for cancer pain: common questions
Does reflexology help with cancer pain?
While this small study suggests reflexology may help cancer patients feel better, the results are preliminary and cannot be trusted as definitive proof due to the tiny sample size and the fact that even fake reflexology appeared to help.
What did this study find?
Reflexology demonstrated a positive impact on quality of life in cancer patients in the palliative stage. Both reflexology and placebo reflexology groups reported benefits, suggesting a potential placebo effect or non-specific therapeutic benefit. The study's small sample size of twelve participants limits the generalizability of findings to the broader cancer patient population.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence limited. It covers 12 participants. It was published in Nursing Standard, a Q2 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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