Reflexology in the management of encopresis and chronic constipation

Authors: Bishop Eileen, McKinnon Evelyn, Weir Evelyn, Brown Denise WJournal: Paediatric nursingPublished: April 1, 2003

Limited EvidenceObservationaln=50 participants

In Plain Language: reflexology for constipation, explained

Encopresis or faecal incontinence in children is an extremely distressing condition that is usually secondary to chronic constipation/stool withholding. Traditional management with enemas may add to the child's distress. This study investigated the efficacy of treating patients with encopresis and chronic constipation with reflexology. An observational study was carried out of 50 children between three and 14 years of age who had a diagnosis of encopresis/chronic constipation. The children received six sessions of 30-minutes of reflexology to their feet. With the help of their parents they completed questionnaires on bowel motions and soiling patterns before, during and after the treatment. A further questionnaire was completed by parents pre and post treatment on their attitude towards reflexology. Forty-eight of the children completed the sessions. The number of bowel motions increased and the incidence of soiling decreased. Parents were keen to try the reflexology and were satisfied with the effect of reflexology on their child's condition. It appears that reflexology has been an effective method of treating encopresis and constipation over a six-week period in this cohort of patients.

Key Findings: what this observational study found about constipation

✓Reflexology treatment consisting of six 30-minute sessions applied to the feet resulted in increased bowel motions and decreased soiling incidents in children with encopresis and chronic constipation.
✓Forty-eight of fifty children (96%) successfully completed the full course of reflexology treatment, indicating good treatment adherence and tolerability.
✓Parents demonstrated high satisfaction with reflexology as a treatment approach and expressed willingness to pursue this intervention for their children's conditions.

What This Means for You

While this small study suggests reflexology may help with constipation in children, the evidence is preliminary—larger, controlled studies are needed before making it a primary treatment.

What This Means for Practitioners

This observational study provides encouraging anecdotal evidence that reflexology may support bowel function in children, but stronger research is needed to establish it as an evidence-based treatment.

Study Design: how this observational study was run

Sample Size

50 participants

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Reflexology for constipation: common questions

Does reflexology help with constipation?

While this small study suggests reflexology may help with constipation in children, the evidence is preliminary—larger, controlled studies are needed before making it a primary treatment.

What did this study find?

Reflexology treatment consisting of six 30-minute sessions applied to the feet resulted in increased bowel motions and decreased soiling incidents in children with encopresis and chronic constipation. Forty-eight of fifty children (96%) successfully completed the full course of reflexology treatment, indicating good treatment adherence and tolerability. Parents demonstrated high satisfaction with reflexology as a treatment approach and expressed willingness to pursue this intervention for their children's conditions.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a observational study and we rate its evidence limited. It covers 50 participants. It was published in Paediatric nursing. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.