Effect of Reflexology on Menopausal Problems and Quality of Life: A Scoping Review

Authors: Palanisamy Ranjani, Noronha Judith Angelita, Devi Elsa Sanadombi, Reddy Gajjela Govardhan, Adiga PrashanthJournal: Advances in mind-body medicinePublished: February 5, 2026

Moderate EvidenceSystematic Review

Insomnia Menopause Symptoms

In Plain Language: reflexology for sleep, explained

Menopause is a natural life stage marked by hormonal shifts that often affect women's well-being. Reflexology, a safe and non-pharmacological therapy, may help support wellness during this transition. To present an overview of the literature on the effect of reflexology on menopausal problems and quality of life. The review followed the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) scoping review framework. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE), SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Web of Science using combinations of terms related to perimenopause/menopause, women, reflexology (zone therapy, foot/palm massage), and outcomes such as sleep, fatigue, stress, vasomotor and perimenopausal symptoms, depression, physiological parameters, and health-related quality of life. Article screening and reporting adhered to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Based on the inclusion criteria adopted, 11 articles were included in the scoping review. Among them, three explored the impact of reflexology on menopausal symptoms, two assessed its effectiveness in reducing depression, and another two investigated its influence on both menopausal symptoms and quality of life. One study evaluated its effect on menopausal symptoms and cortisol levels, one examined the outcomes related to sleep quality and fatigue, another focused on sleep, and one investigated quality of life. Of these studies, six were randomized controlled trials, three employed a quasi-experimental design, and two utilized a pre- and post-test control group design. Research on reflexology among menopausal women shows promising benefits, including reductions in menopausal symptoms, fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbances, and improvement in the overall quality of life. Further rigorous and controlled research is necessary to support the evidence before reflexology can be endorsed as a routine clinical approach for managing menopausal symptoms and enhancing women's quality of life. menopausal symptoms, depression, fatigue, sleep, quality of lif

Key Findings: what this systematic review found about sleep

✓Reflexology is identified as a safe and non-pharmacological therapeutic approach for managing menopausal symptoms and supporting women's quality of life during this transition.
✓The scoping review analyzed 11 articles examining reflexology's effects across multiple menopausal outcomes including sleep quality, fatigue, stress, vasomotor symptoms, depression, and health-related quality of life.
✓At least three of the included studies specifically investigated reflexology's impact on menopausal symptoms, indicating emerging evidence in this clinical area.

What This Means for You

While reflexology shows promise for easing menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and sleep issues, the evidence is still developing—it may be worth trying as a complementary approach, but shouldn't replace medical care for severe symptoms.

What This Means for Practitioners

Six of the 11 reviewed studies were rigorous randomized controlled trials showing reflexology's potential for menopausal symptoms, depression, and sleep quality, providing reasonable evidence to support client discussions about reflexology as a supportive therapy during menopause.

Read Full Paper↗

Reflexology for sleep: common questions

Does reflexology help with sleep?

What did this study find?

Reflexology is identified as a safe and non-pharmacological therapeutic approach for managing menopausal symptoms and supporting women's quality of life during this transition. The scoping review analyzed 11 articles examining reflexology's effects across multiple menopausal outcomes including sleep quality, fatigue, stress, vasomotor symptoms, depression, and health-related quality of life. At least three of the included studies specifically investigated reflexology's impact on menopausal symptoms, indicating emerging evidence in this clinical area.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a systematic review and we rate its evidence moderate. It was published in Advances in mind-body medicine. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.