Effect of reflexology on ankle brachial index, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and glycemic control in older adults with diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

Authors: Saadet Can Cicek, Seyma Demir, Dilek Yilmaz, Sedat YildizJournal: Complementary therapies in clinical practicePublished: August 3, 2021DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101437

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.789h-index: 56SCImago

Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trial

Peripheral Neuropathy Diabetes (Supportive)

In Plain Language: reflexology for neuropathy, explained

Researchers tested whether reflexology—a massage technique applied to the feet—could help older adults with diabetes improve their blood sugar control, nerve damage, and blood vessel function. The study compared people who received reflexology treatments to a control group and measured changes in these health markers over time.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about neuropathy

✓Reflexology treatment was associated with improvements in glycemic control (blood sugar levels) in older adults with diabetes.
✓Reflexology showed potential benefits for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a common nerve damage complication in diabetic patients.
✓The intervention led to measurable improvements in ankle brachial index, an indicator of blood vessel function and circulation in the lower extremities.

What This Means for You

This study suggests reflexology may help with diabetes-related complications, but it's a moderate-quality finding and should complement, not replace, your doctor's standard diabetes care.

What This Means for Practitioners

Document and measure objective outcomes like ankle-brachial index and neuropathy symptoms in your diabetic clients to build evidence for reflexology's clinical impact in this population.

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Reflexology for neuropathy: common questions

Does reflexology help with neuropathy?

This study suggests reflexology may help with diabetes-related complications, but it's a moderate-quality finding and should complement, not replace, your doctor's standard diabetes care.

What did this study find?

Reflexology treatment was associated with improvements in glycemic control (blood sugar levels) in older adults with diabetes. Reflexology showed potential benefits for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a common nerve damage complication in diabetic patients. The intervention led to measurable improvements in ankle brachial index, an indicator of blood vessel function and circulation in the lower extremities.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It was published in Complementary therapies in clinical practice, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.