The effects of reflexology on pain and sleep deprivation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial

Q: Does reflexology help with sleep?

This moderate-quality study suggests reflexology may help reduce arthritis pain and sleep problems, though more research is needed to confirm these benefits work for most people.

Q: What did this study find?

Foot reflexology significantly reduced pain scores in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Six weeks of foot reflexology treatment led to measurable improvements in sleep quality, as evidenced by lowered Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores in the experimental group. Foot reflexology appears to be an effective non-pharmacological nursing intervention for managing both pain and sleep deprivation symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Q: How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. 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.

Authors: Bakir Ercan, Baglama Sevgin Samancioglu, Gursoy SavasJournal: Complementary therapies in clinical practicePublished: May 1, 2018DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.017

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.65h-index: 72SCImago

Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=60 participants

Insomnia

In Plain Language: reflexology for sleep, explained

This study was intended to examine the effect of foot reflexology on RA patients' pain and sleep quality. This is a randomized controlled trial and was held at the "Rheumatology Follow-up Polyclinic" in Turkey between January-July 2015. A total of 60 patients were included in the research. A sociodemographic data form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used. Foot Reflexology was administered to the experimental group. The research found that the pain scores of the experimental group were statistically more significant than those of the control group (p < .01). The experimental group's average pain was reduced by the six weeks of foot reflexology. The total PSQI score of the experimental group was lowered. Foot reflexology is a non-pharmacological nursing intervention that may reduce the pain and sleep deprivation symptoms of RA patients.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about sleep

✓Foot reflexology significantly reduced pain scores in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to the control group (p < 0.01).
✓Six weeks of foot reflexology treatment led to measurable improvements in sleep quality, as evidenced by lowered Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores in the experimental group.
✓Foot reflexology appears to be an effective non-pharmacological nursing intervention for managing both pain and sleep deprivation symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

What This Means for You

This moderate-quality study suggests reflexology may help reduce arthritis pain and sleep problems, though more research is needed to confirm these benefits work for most people.

What This Means for Practitioners

This RCT provides evidence that foot reflexology can be offered as a non-pharmacological option to RA patients seeking pain and sleep relief, with measurable outcomes.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

60 participants

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Reflexology for sleep: common questions

Does reflexology help with sleep?

This moderate-quality study suggests reflexology may help reduce arthritis pain and sleep problems, though more research is needed to confirm these benefits work for most people.

What did this study find?

Foot reflexology significantly reduced pain scores in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Six weeks of foot reflexology treatment led to measurable improvements in sleep quality, as evidenced by lowered Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores in the experimental group. Foot reflexology appears to be an effective non-pharmacological nursing intervention for managing both pain and sleep deprivation symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. 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.