The effectiveness of foot reflexology in reducing anxiety and duration of labor in primiparas: An open-label randomized controlled trial

Authors: Levy Ilana, Attias Samuel, Stern Lavee Tamar, Avneri Ofri, Cohen Gil, Balachsan Shosh, Sagi Shlomi, Schiff EladJournal: Complementary therapies in clinical practicePublished: February 1, 2020DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.101085

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.65h-index: 72SCImago

Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=189 participants

Anxiety Pregnancy Discomfort

In Plain Language: reflexology for anxiety, explained

Reflexology alleviates anxiety and may shorten the duration of labor. We evaluated the effect of reflexology on anxiety level and duration of labor in primiparas with moderate-to-severe anxiety. In this open-label randomized-controlled trial, primiparas with moderate-to-severe anxiety were randomized into one of two groups: addition of reflexology to usual care, or usual care only. The primary outcome was a change in the level of anxiety during reflexology treatment. Ninety-nine women were assigned to reflexology treatment while ninety received usual care only. A larger alleviation of anxiety was observed immediately after reflexology treatment as compared to the control group during the 30 min following group assignment. Reflexology did not affect the length of delivery. Foot reflexology had a positive short-term anxiolytic effect during labor in primiparas with moderate-to-severe anxiety but did not affect the duration of labor.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about anxiety

✓Foot reflexology produced a larger reduction in anxiety immediately after treatment compared to usual care alone in primiparas with moderate-to-severe anxiety.
✓The anxiolytic effect of reflexology was short-term, with greater anxiety relief observed during the 30 minutes following treatment initiation.
✓Reflexology did not significantly affect the length or duration of labor in primiparous women.

What This Means for You

If you're a first-time mother with significant anxiety about labor, reflexology may provide short-term anxiety relief during labor, though it won't necessarily make labor shorter.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology can be a valuable complementary tool for managing acute anxiety during labor in first-time mothers, though practitioners should set realistic expectations about its limitations regarding labor duration.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

189 participants

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Reflexology for anxiety: common questions

Does reflexology help with anxiety?

If you're a first-time mother with significant anxiety about labor, reflexology may provide short-term anxiety relief during labor, though it won't necessarily make labor shorter.

What did this study find?

Foot reflexology produced a larger reduction in anxiety immediately after treatment compared to usual care alone in primiparas with moderate-to-severe anxiety. The anxiolytic effect of reflexology was short-term, with greater anxiety relief observed during the 30 minutes following treatment initiation. Reflexology did not significantly affect the length or duration of labor in primiparous women.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 189 participants. It was published in Complementary therapies in clinical practice, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.