The effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure and heart rate: A randomized clinical trial in stage-2 hypertensive patients.

Authors: Praew Kotruchin, Supap Imoun, Thapanawong Mitsungnern, Patcharin Aountrai, Maneenuch Domthaisong, Kazuomi KarioJournal: Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.)Published: June 28, 2021DOI: 10.1111/jch.14103

Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trial

High Blood Pressure

In Plain Language: reflexology for high blood pressure, explained

Researchers tested whether foot reflexology could help lower blood pressure and heart rate in people with stage-2 high blood pressure. They randomly assigned patients to receive reflexology or a control treatment and measured their vital signs before and after.

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

✓The study investigated foot reflexology as a potential treatment for reducing blood pressure and heart rate in stage-2 hypertensive patients through a randomized clinical trial design.
✓Patients were randomly assigned to receive either foot reflexology or a control treatment, with vital signs measured at baseline and follow-up periods to assess treatment effects.

What This Means for You

This randomized trial suggests foot reflexology may help reduce blood pressure and heart rate in people with high blood pressure, though you should continue working with your doctor on your treatment plan.

What This Means for Practitioners

This study in a peer-reviewed hypertension journal provides evidence that reflexology may be effective for blood pressure management, which you can reference when discussing the potential benefits with hypertensive clients.

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Reflexology for high blood pressure: common questions

Does reflexology help with high blood pressure?

What did this study find?

The study investigated foot reflexology as a potential treatment for reducing blood pressure and heart rate in stage-2 hypertensive patients through a randomized clinical trial design. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either foot reflexology or a control treatment, with vital signs measured at baseline and follow-up periods to assess treatment effects.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It was published in Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.). Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.