The effects of reflexology on symptoms in pregnancy: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Authors: Xiaoyu Liang, Shangping Wu, Ke Li, Haolin Zhang, Fujing Yang, Xinhui Wang et al.Journal: HeliyonPublished: August 4, 2023DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18442

Q2 JournalSJR: 1.489h-index: 42SCImago

Limited EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trial

Insomnia Pregnancy Discomfort

In Plain Language: reflexology for sleep, explained

The study reviewed the effects of reflexology on pregnant women, examining 13 trials to see how it impacted various symptoms such as labor pain and anxiety. It found that reflexology may be beneficial for reducing labor pain and anxiety but indicated that evidence for other benefits like alleviating fatigue and improving sleep quality is limited. This suggests that while reflexology might help some pregnant women, more rigorous studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in other areas.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about sleep

✓Reflexology showed statistically significant improvements in labor pain and anxiety during childbirth.
✓Two out of 13 trials included in the review had a low risk of bias.
✓Evidence for reflexology's impact on fatigue, sleep quality, and other symptoms was deemed insufficient.

What This Means for You

For pregnant women considering reflexology treatment, the findings suggest it may help manage labor pain and reduce anxiety during childbirth, making it a potentially valuable option to discuss with their healthcare providers.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology practitioners can use these findings to inform clients about the potential benefits of reflexology for alleviating labor pain and anxiety, while also emphasizing the need for more research on its effectiveness for other pregnancy-related symptoms.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Blinding

open label

Control

none

Duration

not specified

Limitations: what it cannot tell you about sleep

The majority of the included studies had a high risk of bias, and the overall quality of evidence is considered low to moderate. Further research with more robust designs is needed.

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Reflexology for sleep: common questions

Does reflexology help with sleep?

What did this study find?

Reflexology showed statistically significant improvements in labor pain and anxiety during childbirth. Two out of 13 trials included in the review had a low risk of bias. Evidence for reflexology's impact on fatigue, sleep quality, and other symptoms was deemed insufficient.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence limited. It was published in Heliyon, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.

What are the limitations of this study?

The majority of the included studies had a high risk of bias, and the overall quality of evidence is considered low to moderate. Further research with more robust designs is needed.