Integrative Oncology Care of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Adults With Cancer: Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO Guideline.
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: anxiety, explained
A scientific study investigated how integrative approaches, including reflexology, can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in cancer patients. The findings suggest that methods like reflexology can provide significant relief during and after cancer treatment. This is important because it offers alternative options for improving the mental well-being of individuals facing serious illness.
Key Findings: what this meta-analysis found about anxiety
- ✓30 systematic reviews and 80 randomized controlled trials were analyzed
- ✓Reflexology is recommended for treating anxiety during active treatment
- ✓Reflexology is also effective for alleviating depression symptoms during treatment
- ✓Mindfulness-based interventions and yoga are also suggested alongside reflexology
What This Means for You
For individuals living with cancer and experiencing anxiety or depression, reflexology could be a helpful complementary treatment to consider, as the study indicates it can effectively reduce symptoms during and after treatment.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology practitioners can incorporate this evidence into their practice by promoting reflexology as a viable therapy for clients dealing with anxiety and depression in the context of cancer recovery.
Study Design: how this meta-analysis was run
Limitations: what it cannot tell you about anxiety
The study highlights limitations such as the risk of bias in the analyzed studies and a lack of standardization in therapies. Additionally, the diversity in study samples was limited.
Anxiety: common questions
What does this study say about anxiety?
For individuals living with cancer and experiencing anxiety or depression, reflexology could be a helpful complementary treatment to consider, as the study indicates it can effectively reduce symptoms during and after treatment.
What did this study find?
30 systematic reviews and 80 randomized controlled trials were analyzed. Reflexology is recommended for treating anxiety during active treatment. Reflexology is also effective for alleviating depression symptoms during treatment.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a meta-analysis and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 110 participants. It was published in Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, a Q1 journal. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
What are the limitations of this study?
The study highlights limitations such as the risk of bias in the analyzed studies and a lack of standardization in therapies. Additionally, the diversity in study samples was limited.
Related Research
Complementary therapy in practice
Effect of Reflexology on Decreasing Postoperative Pain and Anxiety After Total Abdominal Hysterectomy: Erratum
Engaging Patients in Research That Involves Meditation: Religious Concerns and Nursing Implications
Improving Quality of Life in The Constipated Older Person: Reflexology or Abdominal Massage? A Two-Group, Randomized Comparative Trial
Effect of Reflexology on Decreasing Postoperative Pain and Anxiety After Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
Looking for a reflexologist?
Find practitioners who can help with the conditions studied in this research.
Find a Reflexologist