Evaluation of efficacy and feasibility of foot reflexology in children experiencing chronic or persistent pain
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology, explained
Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) are increasingly used in the therapeutic arsenal, particularly for pain management. Foot reflexology (FR) is still poorly evaluated, specifically in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of FR sessions in children experiencing chronic or persistent pain. We conducted a prospective study in two pediatric centers from January 2011 to January 2014. Sessions of FR were offered to children regardless of their age, experiencing persistent pain (>72h) or chronic pain (>3 months). A form was completed by the patient before and after each FR sessions. The effectiveness of the session was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for both pain and anxiety. One hundred and twenty-two patients suffering from persistent pain were included. We observed a significant decrease of mean VAS pain scores after each session (respectively P<0.001, P<0.001 and P=0.015) and of mean VAS anxiety scores (P<0.001) for all sessions). Seventy patients suffering from chronic pain were included. Decrease in VAS pain scores was statistically significant after each reflexology session for children suffering from headache and musculoskeletal pain (P<0.001). Anxiety was significantly lower after each session (P<0.001). In 192 pediatric patients, FR significantly reduce pain and anxiety in children suffering from persistent or chronic pain. This CAM could have a place in pain management in children but needs to be evaluated in larger cohorts.
Key Findings: what this observational study found
- ✓Foot reflexology sessions resulted in statistically significant decreases in pain scores across multiple sessions (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.015) in 122 children with persistent or chronic pain.
- ✓Foot reflexology was associated with significant reductions in anxiety scores (P<0.001) in pediatric patients experiencing chronic or persistent pain.
- ✓Foot reflexology demonstrated both effectiveness and feasibility as a complementary therapy option for pain management in the pediatric population.
What This Means for You
Foot reflexology shows promise for reducing pain and anxiety in children with persistent or chronic pain, though more rigorous research with control groups is needed to confirm these findings.
What This Means for Practitioners
This study provides evidence that reflexology sessions can produce measurable reductions in pediatric pain and anxiety, supporting its potential integration into children's pain management protocols.
Study Design: how this observational study was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
Foot reflexology shows promise for reducing pain and anxiety in children with persistent or chronic pain, though more rigorous research with control groups is needed to confirm these findings.
What did this study find?
Foot reflexology sessions resulted in statistically significant decreases in pain scores across multiple sessions (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.015) in 122 children with persistent or chronic pain. Foot reflexology was associated with significant reductions in anxiety scores (P<0.001) in pediatric patients experiencing chronic or persistent pain. Foot reflexology demonstrated both effectiveness and feasibility as a complementary therapy option for pain management in the pediatric population.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a observational study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 192 participants. It was published in Bulletin du cancer. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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