Foot reflexology in feet impairment of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: randomized trial.

Authors: Natália Chantal Magalhães da Silva, Érika de Cássia Lopes Chaves, Emilia Campos de Carvalho, Leonardo César Carvalho, Denise Hollanda IunesJournal: Revista latino-americana de enfermagemPublished: August 17, 2017DOI: 10.1590/0104-1169.0036.2594

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.722h-index: 35SCImago

Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trial

Diabetes (Supportive)

In Plain Language: reflexology for diabetes, explained

Researchers tested whether foot reflexology could help improve foot problems in people with type 2 diabetes by randomly assigning participants to receive reflexology or standard care. The study measured changes in foot sensation, pain, and other markers of foot health over time.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about diabetes

✓The study evaluated foot reflexology as an intervention to improve foot impairment in type 2 diabetes patients through a randomized controlled trial design.
✓Researchers measured multiple foot health outcomes including sensation, pain, and other markers of foot function to assess reflexology's effectiveness.
✓The intervention compared foot reflexology treatment against standard care in diabetic patients with documented foot complications.

What This Means for You

This randomized trial suggests reflexology may help with diabetes-related foot problems, though the evidence is still building and it should complement, not replace, your doctor's diabetes care.

What This Means for Practitioners

This RCT provides moderate evidence that foot reflexology can be offered to clients with type 2 diabetes as part of a complementary approach to foot care management.

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Reflexology for diabetes: common questions

Does reflexology help with diabetes?

This randomized trial suggests reflexology may help with diabetes-related foot problems, though the evidence is still building and it should complement, not replace, your doctor's diabetes care.

What did this study find?

The study evaluated foot reflexology as an intervention to improve foot impairment in type 2 diabetes patients through a randomized controlled trial design. Researchers measured multiple foot health outcomes including sensation, pain, and other markers of foot function to assess reflexology's effectiveness. The intervention compared foot reflexology treatment against standard care in diabetic patients with documented foot complications.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It was published in Revista latino-americana de enfermagem, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.