Opinions and observations of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy about changes seen after reflexology: A qualitative study
In Plain Language: reflexology, explained
The aim of this research was to examine the effect of reflexology on the problems of children with cerebral palsy from perspective of caregivers. Qualitative study was made after 24-session reflexology program. 12 caregivers who have 2-18 year-old children with spastic type cerebral palsy receiving special education and received reflexology. The thematic questions were determined and in-depth interviews were conducted. Themes of the study were determined as; the caregiver's views on reflexology, the effect of reflexology on health of children with CP and the caregivers' observations on child after reflexology therapy, positive and negative aspects and causes of reflexology treatment. As a results; the caregivers expressed that there were increases in self-confidence of children, improvement in walking, reduced spasticity, relaxation, decreases in constipation, and increases in communication, speech and perception after reflexology.
Key Findings: what this qualitative study found
- ✓Caregivers reported increased self-confidence and improved communication and speech abilities in children with cerebral palsy following a 24-session reflexology program.
- ✓Reflexology was associated with reduced spasticity and improvements in walking ability among children with spastic cerebral palsy according to caregiver observations.
- ✓Caregivers observed decreases in constipation and increased relaxation in children with cerebral palsy after completing reflexology treatment.
What This Means for You
While caregivers reported positive changes in children with cerebral palsy after reflexology, this is a small qualitative study without a control group, so the results are preliminary and should not replace standard medical care.
What This Means for Practitioners
Caregiver testimonials suggest reflexology may be perceived as beneficial for children with cerebral palsy, but larger controlled studies are needed to validate these observations and understand which outcomes are most reliable.
Study Design: how this qualitative study was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
While caregivers reported positive changes in children with cerebral palsy after reflexology, this is a small qualitative study without a control group, so the results are preliminary and should not replace standard medical care.
What did this study find?
Caregivers reported increased self-confidence and improved communication and speech abilities in children with cerebral palsy following a 24-session reflexology program. Reflexology was associated with reduced spasticity and improvements in walking ability among children with spastic cerebral palsy according to caregiver observations. Caregivers observed decreases in constipation and increased relaxation in children with cerebral palsy after completing reflexology treatment.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a qualitative study and we rate its evidence limited. It covers 12 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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