The acute (immediate) effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers: A randomised study

Authors: Rollinson Kirsty, Jones Jenny, Scott Norma, Megson Ian L, Leslie Stephen JJournal: Complementary therapies in clinical practicePublished: February 1, 2016DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.11.001

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.65h-index: 72SCImago

Limited EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=12 participants

High Blood Pressure

In Plain Language: reflexology for high blood pressure, explained

Reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy. The effects of reflexology on the cardiovascular system are not well characterised. Arterial stiffness (compliance) is a marker of vascular health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers. 12 healthy volunteers (1 male; 11 female; mean age 44.8 ± 10.8 yrs) received 10 min of reflexology on each foot in a single-blind randomised study. The main outcome measures were measurements of cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, blood pressure and arterial compliance (augmentation index). Reflexology had no significant effect on heart rate, blood pressure or augmentation index (all p > 0.05). In healthy volunteers, there were no consistent changes in haemodynamic parameters with a single brief reflexology treatment. Thus from a cardiovascular point of view, reflexology (as delivered) would appear to have a limited (if any) effect on the cardiovascular system.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about high blood pressure

✓A single 10-minute reflexology treatment produced no significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or arterial compliance (augmentation index) in healthy volunteers.
✓Reflexology appears to have limited or no immediate effects on cardiovascular haemodynamic parameters when delivered as a brief treatment.
✓The study demonstrates that arterial stiffness, a marker of vascular health, was not measurably affected by acute reflexology intervention in this population.

What This Means for You

Based on this small study, a single brief reflexology session does not appear to have measurable effects on cardiovascular health in healthy people, so don't expect immediate heart health benefits from this therapy.

What This Means for Practitioners

This study suggests reflexology may not produce acute cardiovascular changes; consider focusing on other potential benefits or longer treatment protocols when discussing outcomes with clients.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

12 participants

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Reflexology for high blood pressure: common questions

Does reflexology help with high blood pressure?

What did this study find?

A single 10-minute reflexology treatment produced no significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or arterial compliance (augmentation index) in healthy volunteers. Reflexology appears to have limited or no immediate effects on cardiovascular haemodynamic parameters when delivered as a brief treatment. The study demonstrates that arterial stiffness, a marker of vascular health, was not measurably affected by acute reflexology intervention in this population.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial 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.