Use of complementary medicine amongst diabetic patients in a public primary care clinic in Ipoh
Limited EvidenceIn Plain Language: diabetes, explained
The use of Complementary Medicine (CM) amongst diabetic patients attending the Diabetes/Hypertension, Clinic. Out Patient Department, Ipoh Hospital was studied: Forty-three patients were selected by systematic random sampling (1:5) over a one-week period starting 5/12/01. Data were collected by patient interview, from medical records and through a questionnaire. 56% were using CM together with conventional therapy. Most commonly used were herbal therapy, homeopathy and reflexology. The majority took CM daily with a mean duration of 7 years. Over half had subjective relief of pain with increased energy. Patients on CM or conventional therapy both showed poorly controlled FBS levels. There is a need to assess the effect of these therapies on diabetic outcome.
Key Findings: what this cross-sectional study found about diabetes
- ✓56% of diabetic patients in the study were using complementary medicine alongside conventional therapy, with herbal therapy, homeopathy, and reflexology being the most commonly used modalities.
- ✓Patients using complementary medicine reported subjective improvements including pain relief and increased energy levels, despite taking these therapies for a mean duration of 7 years.
- ✓Both patients using complementary medicine and those using only conventional therapy demonstrated poorly controlled fasting blood sugar levels, indicating that complementary medicine use did not improve glycemic control.
What This Means for You
While this small study found that over half of diabetic patients used reflexology and other complementary therapies with reported benefits, there's limited evidence to show reflexology actually improves diabetes control—so it should only complement, not replace, conventional medical care.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology was among the most commonly used complementary therapies for diabetes in this population, but practitioners should be aware that poor blood sugar control persisted in both groups, emphasizing the need for close patient communication with their medical doctors.
Study Design: how this cross-sectional study was run
Diabetes: common questions
What does this study say about diabetes?
While this small study found that over half of diabetic patients used reflexology and other complementary therapies with reported benefits, there's limited evidence to show reflexology actually improves diabetes control—so it should only complement, not replace, conventional medical care.
What did this study find?
56% of diabetic patients in the study were using complementary medicine alongside conventional therapy, with herbal therapy, homeopathy, and reflexology being the most commonly used modalities. Patients using complementary medicine reported subjective improvements including pain relief and increased energy levels, despite taking these therapies for a mean duration of 7 years. Both patients using complementary medicine and those using only conventional therapy demonstrated poorly controlled fasting blood sugar levels, indicating that complementary medicine use did not improve glycemic control.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a cross-sectional study and we rate its evidence limited. It covers 43 participants. It was published in The Medical journal of Malaysia. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
Related Research
The Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Neuropathic Pain in Women With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Comprehensive review on diabetic foot ulcers and neuropathy: Treatment, prevention and management.
Effect of Foot Reflexology on Capillary Blood Glucose, Tissue Temperature, and Plantar Pressure of Individuals With Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2): A Pilot Study.
Effect of Foot Reflexology on Muscle Electrical Activity, Pressure, Plantar Distribution, and Body Sway in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Effect of reflexology on ankle brachial index, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and glycemic control in older adults with diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.
Looking for a reflexologist?
Find practitioners who can help with the conditions studied in this research.
Find a Reflexologist