Reflexology: an update of a systematic review of randomised clinical trials
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for cancer pain, explained
Reflexology is a popular form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The aim of this update is to critically evaluate the evidence for or against the effectiveness of reflexology in patients with any type of medical condition. Six electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Their methodological quality was assessed independently by the two reviewers using the Jadad score. Overall, 23 studies met all inclusion criteria. They related to a wide range of medical conditions. The methodological quality of the RCTs was often poor. Nine high quality RCTs generated negative findings; and five generated positive findings. Eight RCTs suggested that reflexology is effective for the following conditions: diabetes, premenstrual syndrome, cancer patients, multiple sclerosis, symptomatic idiopathic detrusor over-activity and dementia yet important caveats remain. It is concluded that the best clinical evidence does not demonstrate convincingly reflexology to be an effective treatment for any medical condition.
Key Findings: what this systematic review found about cancer pain
- ✓Most randomised clinical trials on reflexology had poor methodological quality, limiting the reliability of their conclusions.
- ✓Nine high-quality RCTs found negative results for reflexology, while only five high-quality RCTs found positive results.
- ✓Although some evidence suggests reflexology may be effective for conditions including diabetes, premenstrual syndrome, and cancer-related symptoms, important caveats remain regarding the overall clinical evidence.
What This Means for You
Current scientific evidence does not support reflexology as an effective treatment for any specific medical condition, so it should not replace conventional medical care.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology practitioners should be transparent with clients about the limited evidence base and emphasize that reflexology is complementary, not a replacement for medical treatment.
Reflexology for cancer pain: common questions
Does reflexology help with cancer pain?
Current scientific evidence does not support reflexology as an effective treatment for any specific medical condition, so it should not replace conventional medical care.
What did this study find?
Most randomised clinical trials on reflexology had poor methodological quality, limiting the reliability of their conclusions. Nine high-quality RCTs found negative results for reflexology, while only five high-quality RCTs found positive results. Although some evidence suggests reflexology may be effective for conditions including diabetes, premenstrual syndrome, and cancer-related symptoms, important caveats remain regarding the overall clinical evidence.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a systematic review and we rate its evidence strong. It was published in Maturitas. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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