The effect of reflexology on blood pressure and heart rate in cardiovascular patients: a meta-analysis study

Authors: Çamcı Gülşah, Bayrak BetülJournal: Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)Published: January 1, 2025DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20250059

Strong EvidenceMeta Analysisn=1041 participants

High Blood Pressure

In Plain Language: reflexology for high blood pressure, explained

The aim of the study was to conduct a meta-analysis of studies on the effect of reflexology on blood pressure and heart rate in patients with cardiovascular disease. The study collected data from PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases. The study had randomized-controlled, non-randomized-controlled, and quasi-experimental designs. Patients aged >18 years with coronary artery disease, coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, open-heart surgery, or coronary bypass were included. All analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis. This study included 1,041 patients aged 18-75 years from 12 studies. According to the random-effects model, reflexology significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (95%CI, Hedges' g=-0.41, Z=-2.27, p=0.02) and diastolic blood pressure (95%CI, Hedges' g=-0.38, Z=-2.69, p=0.01). However, reflexology did not affect the heart rate (95%CI, Hedges' g=0.16, Z=-1.54, p=0.12). The results suggest that reflexology has a positive effect on the systolic and diastolic blood pressures of cardiovascular patients, but no significant effect on the heart rate was observed.

Key Findings: what this meta-analysis found about high blood pressure

✓Reflexology significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in cardiovascular patients with a mean effect size of -0.41 (p=0.02).
✓Reflexology significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure in cardiovascular patients with a mean effect size of -0.38 (p=0.01).
✓Reflexology did not have a statistically significant effect on heart rate in cardiovascular patients (p=0.12).

What This Means for You

If you have heart disease, reflexology may help lower your blood pressure slightly, though the effect is modest and it won't directly change your heart rate.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology shows measurable benefits for blood pressure management in cardiovascular patients, positioning it as a complementary therapy worth discussing with clients alongside their medical care.

Study Design: how this meta-analysis was run

Sample Size

1041 participants

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Reflexology for high blood pressure: common questions

Does reflexology help with high blood pressure?

If you have heart disease, reflexology may help lower your blood pressure slightly, though the effect is modest and it won't directly change your heart rate.

What did this study find?

Reflexology significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in cardiovascular patients with a mean effect size of -0.41 (p=0.02). Reflexology significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure in cardiovascular patients with a mean effect size of -0.38 (p=0.01). Reflexology did not have a statistically significant effect on heart rate in cardiovascular patients (p=0.12).

How strong is this evidence?

This is a meta-analysis and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 1,041 participants. It was published in Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992). Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.