Is reflexology as effective as aromatherapy massage for symptom relief in an adult outpatient oncology population?
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for cancer pain, explained
To test whether reflexology was inferior to aromatherapy massage for ameliorating self-selected problems or concerns. Non-blinded, randomised study with a 1:1 allocation. Adult outpatients recruited from a UK cancer centre, randomised by the minimisation method to either four aromatherapy massage or four reflexology sessions. MYCaW scores at baseline and completion; VAS (relaxation) pre and post-sessions. Unpaired t-test for the primary outcome; analysis of variance tests for repeated measures for VAS (relaxation); descriptive statistics (means and 95% confidence intervals) and content analysis for patient comments. 115 subjects (58 aromatherapy massage, 57 reflexology) recruited. Reflexology was found to be no less effective than aromatherapy massage for MYCaW first concerns (p = 0.046). There was no statistical difference between groups for MYCaW second concerns or overall well-being scores, proportions of patients gaining clinical benefit, VAS scores over time (p = 0.489) or between groups (p = 0.408) or in the written responses.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about cancer pain
- ✓Reflexology was found to be no less effective than aromatherapy massage for addressing patients' primary concerns (p = 0.046).
- ✓There was no statistically significant difference between reflexology and aromatherapy massage groups for secondary concerns or overall well-being scores.
- ✓Both reflexology and aromatherapy massage produced similar improvements in relaxation as measured by VAS scores over the course of treatment sessions.
What This Means for You
If you're considering reflexology for symptom relief during cancer treatment, this study suggests it works about as well as aromatherapy massage, though more research in larger groups would strengthen this finding.
What This Means for Practitioners
This study provides moderate evidence that reflexology is comparable to aromatherapy massage for symptom relief in oncology patients, supporting its use as a legitimate complementary therapy option in clinical settings.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Reflexology for cancer pain: common questions
Does reflexology help with cancer pain?
If you're considering reflexology for symptom relief during cancer treatment, this study suggests it works about as well as aromatherapy massage, though more research in larger groups would strengthen this finding.
What did this study find?
Reflexology was found to be no less effective than aromatherapy massage for addressing patients' primary concerns (p = 0.046). There was no statistically significant difference between reflexology and aromatherapy massage groups for secondary concerns or overall well-being scores. Both reflexology and aromatherapy massage produced similar improvements in relaxation as measured by VAS scores over the course of treatment sessions.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 115 participants. It was published in Complementary therapies in clinical practice, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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