Effect of Reflexology on the Constipation Status of Elderly People

Q: Does reflexology help with constipation?

This moderate-quality study suggests reflexology may help relieve constipation in older adults, though results are based on a single trial and you should discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Q: What did this study find?

Foot reflexology massage applied three times per week for 30 minutes over one month was used as an intervention to assess its effect on constipation in elderly people. The study employed a randomized clinical trial design with 60 elderly participants divided into experimental (n=30) receiving reflexology and control (n=30) groups receiving non-pressurized foot surface massage. The reflexology protocol involved systematic foot massage techniques including effleurage, shaking, rotation, stretching, and solar plexus pressure applied to both feet.

Q: How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 60 participants. It was published in Yonago acta medica. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.

Authors: Inkaya Bahar, Tuzer HilalJournal: Yonago acta medicaPublished: May 1, 2020DOI: 10.33160/yam.2020.05.007

Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=60 participants

Constipation

In Plain Language: reflexology for constipation, explained

The current literature shows that one of the alternative therapies used to control constipation is reflexology. This study was conducted to assess the effect of reflexology on the constipation status of elderly people. This study was randomized clinical trial conducted from at the private nursing home in the Ankara Province. At the nursing home, 60 eligible elderly people were randomly assigned into experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The experimental group received foot reflexology massage for 1 month three times per week for 30 min. Reflexology was initiated from the patient's right foot. The foot was relaxed primarily by applying effleurage followed by shaking, rotation, and stretching methods. The practice ended by applying solar plexus pressure on both feet. For elderly people in the control group foot surface massage without pressure was applied to simulate the interventions similar to the experimental group. The scale scores before and after reflexology were noted for the experimental group, and those for the control group, which did not receive any reflexology massage, were also determined. After the implementation of reflexology, the rate of emptying bowels on alternate days increased in the experimental group as opposed to that in the control group (P < 0.001). In this study, reflexology was found to improve the quality of life of the elderly and decrease the severity of constipation. Foot reflexology massage was found to be effective in relieving the constipation of elderly people. Therefore, reflexology is recommended as part of nursing care to reduce the constipation status of elderly people.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about constipation

✓Foot reflexology massage applied three times per week for 30 minutes over one month was used as an intervention to assess its effect on constipation in elderly people.
✓The study employed a randomized clinical trial design with 60 elderly participants divided into experimental (n=30) receiving reflexology and control (n=30) groups receiving non-pressurized foot surface massage.
✓The reflexology protocol involved systematic foot massage techniques including effleurage, shaking, rotation, stretching, and solar plexus pressure applied to both feet.

What This Means for You

This moderate-quality study suggests reflexology may help relieve constipation in older adults, though results are based on a single trial and you should discuss this with your healthcare provider.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology demonstrated statistically significant improvements in bowel emptying frequency and constipation severity in elderly clients, supporting its use as a complementary therapy for this common issue.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

60 participants

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Reflexology for constipation: common questions

Does reflexology help with constipation?

This moderate-quality study suggests reflexology may help relieve constipation in older adults, though results are based on a single trial and you should discuss this with your healthcare provider.

What did this study find?

Foot reflexology massage applied three times per week for 30 minutes over one month was used as an intervention to assess its effect on constipation in elderly people. The study employed a randomized clinical trial design with 60 elderly participants divided into experimental (n=30) receiving reflexology and control (n=30) groups receiving non-pressurized foot surface massage. The reflexology protocol involved systematic foot massage techniques including effleurage, shaking, rotation, stretching, and solar plexus pressure applied to both feet.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 60 participants. It was published in Yonago acta medica. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.