Effects of feet reflexology versus segmental massage in reducing pain and its intensity, frequency and duration of the attacks in females with migraine: a pilot study

Authors: Wojciech Kobza, Pawel Lizis, Halina Romualda ZiębaJournal: Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen panPublished: April 1, 2017

Preliminary EvidencePilotn=48 participants

Migraines

In Plain Language: reflexology for migraines, explained

To evaluate the effects of feet reflexology versus segmental massage in reducing pain and its intensity, frequency and duration of the attacks in females suffering from migraine. Forty eight females aged 33-58, suffering from migraine for 2 to 10 years were included in this study from November 2013 to November 2015. The study protocol was carried out in Department of Chronic Diseases at the Regional Hospital in Zywiec. In the reflexology group (RG) the patients received a series of 10 treatments 2 times per week; in the segmental massage group (SMG) the patients received a series of 15 treatments 3 times per week. Pain during migraine attacks was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), and headache features such as intensity (IA), frequency (FA) and duration (DA) of attacks were assessed before the treatment, just after the treatment, 3 months after the treatment. All variables (VAS, IA, FA and DA) decreased within RG and SMG 3 months after the treatment in compare with the baseline values, and the differences were statistically significant. The differences between groups were also statistically significant. Feet reflexology and segmental massage provide a safe alternative for the pharmacological treatment of migraine. The patients with migraine obtain significant health benefits with feet reflexology.

Key Findings: what this pilot study found about migraines

✓Both feet reflexology and segmental massage resulted in significant reductions in pain intensity, frequency, and duration of migraine attacks in female patients at 3 months follow-up.
✓Feet reflexology achieved meaningful clinical improvements with only 10 treatments administered twice weekly, while segmental massage required 15 treatments administered three times weekly.
✓Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and all measured headache characteristics (intensity, frequency, and duration of attacks) showed sustained improvement 3 months after completing either treatment intervention.

What This Means for You

This small pilot study suggests foot reflexology may help reduce migraine symptoms, but larger, well-designed studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions about its effectiveness.

What This Means for Practitioners

This pilot data supports reflexology's potential for migraine management and provides preliminary evidence to discuss with clients, though more robust research is needed to establish standard protocols and outcomes.

Study Design: how this pilot study was run

Sample Size

48 participants

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Reflexology for migraines: common questions

Does reflexology help with migraines?

This small pilot study suggests foot reflexology may help reduce migraine symptoms, but larger, well-designed studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions about its effectiveness.

What did this study find?

Both feet reflexology and segmental massage resulted in significant reductions in pain intensity, frequency, and duration of migraine attacks in female patients at 3 months follow-up. Feet reflexology achieved meaningful clinical improvements with only 10 treatments administered twice weekly, while segmental massage required 15 treatments administered three times weekly. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and all measured headache characteristics (intensity, frequency, and duration of attacks) showed sustained improvement 3 months after completing either treatment intervention.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a pilot study and we rate its evidence preliminary. It covers 48 participants. It was published in Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.