The effect of reflexology on the quality of life with breast cancer patients

Authors: Özdelikara Afitap, Tan MehtapJournal: Complementary therapies in clinical practicePublished: November 1, 2017DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.09.004

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.65h-index: 72SCImago

Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=60 participants

Cancer Pain Management

In Plain Language: reflexology for cancer pain, explained

This study aims to identify the effect of reflexology on the quality of life in patients with breast cancer. The population of the study conducted comprised of 60 patients; 30 forming the control and 30 the experimental groups (30 experimental, 30 control). Patient identification forms and EORTC QLQC30 Quality of Life Scale were used to collect the data. The data obtained as a result of the study were assessed via computer using 'Statistical Package for Social Science 21.0' software. The results of the experiment demonstrated that the within-group symptom total score average of the patients in the experiment/treatment group decreased after the reflexology treatment; while the general health and functional total score averages in the treatment group increased; and the difference between pretest and posttest measurements was statistically significant (p = 0.000). Once symptom, functional, and general health total score averages from the posttest measurement are compared across treatment and control groups, symptom total score average of the patients in the treatment group turned out to be significantly lower than that of the patients in the control group (p = 0.001). In terms of functional and general health score averages, patients in the treatment group scored significantly higher than those in the control group (p = 0.000). Reflexology was found to reduce the symptoms experienced by breast cancer patients, while at the same time increasing the functional and general health status.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about cancer pain

✓Reflexology treatment significantly decreased symptom scores in breast cancer patients compared to baseline measurements (p = 0.000).
✓Reflexology treatment significantly increased functional scores and general health scores in the treatment group after intervention.
✓The study compared 30 breast cancer patients receiving reflexology treatment against a control group of 30 patients using the EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life assessment scale.

What This Means for You

This moderate-quality study suggests reflexology may help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for breast cancer patients, though more research is needed to confirm these benefits.

What This Means for Practitioners

This RCT provides evidence that reflexology can meaningfully reduce symptom burden and enhance functional health in breast cancer patients, supporting its use as a complementary therapeutic approach in oncology settings.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

60 participants

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Reflexology for cancer pain: common questions

Does reflexology help with cancer pain?

This moderate-quality study suggests reflexology may help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for breast cancer patients, though more research is needed to confirm these benefits.

What did this study find?

Reflexology treatment significantly decreased symptom scores in breast cancer patients compared to baseline measurements (p = 0.000). Reflexology treatment significantly increased functional scores and general health scores in the treatment group after intervention. The study compared 30 breast cancer patients receiving reflexology treatment against a control group of 30 patients using the EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life assessment scale.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 60 participants. It was published in Complementary therapies in clinical practice, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.