The effectiveness of aromatherapy and reflexology in neurodegenerative disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology, explained
Many neurodegenerative conditions are chronic disorders and result in a range of debilitating symptoms, with many people turning to complementary therapies. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the evidence on effectiveness of aromatherapy and reflexology on all neurodegenerative conditions. We identified nine eligible studies (total sample n = 504 participants) all of which were on multiple sclerosis only. A meta-analysis was conducted including data from six studies, which demonstrated no significant benefit of aromatherapy/reflexology; however, the sample sizes were small and of low quality. This systematic review confirmed that it is not possible to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of reflexology and aromatherapy in multiple sclerosis. Larger high-quality studies are required to test these widely used therapies.
Key Findings: what this systematic review found
- ✓The systematic review identified only nine eligible studies with 504 total participants, all focusing exclusively on multiple sclerosis rather than other neurodegenerative conditions.
- ✓Meta-analysis of six studies found no significant benefit of aromatherapy and reflexology for treating symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients.
- ✓The included studies had small sample sizes and low quality, preventing definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of reflexology and aromatherapy in neurodegenerative disorders.
What This Means for You
If you have multiple sclerosis or a similar neurological condition, there isn't yet solid evidence that reflexology or aromatherapy will help, so discuss these as complementary options with your doctor rather than relying on them as primary treatment.
What This Means for Practitioners
While reflexology is widely used for neurodegenerative conditions, current research cannot confirm its effectiveness in this population, so clearly communicate to clients that larger, better-designed studies are needed to establish benefits.
Study Design: how this systematic review was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
If you have multiple sclerosis or a similar neurological condition, there isn't yet solid evidence that reflexology or aromatherapy will help, so discuss these as complementary options with your doctor rather than relying on them as primary treatment.
What did this study find?
The systematic review identified only nine eligible studies with 504 total participants, all focusing exclusively on multiple sclerosis rather than other neurodegenerative conditions. Meta-analysis of six studies found no significant benefit of aromatherapy and reflexology for treating symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients. The included studies had small sample sizes and low quality, preventing definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of reflexology and aromatherapy in neurodegenerative disorders.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a systematic review and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 504 participants. It was published in Neurodegenerative disease management. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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