Reflexology Research & Science
Does reflexology work? The honest answer from 808 peer-reviewed studies: the evidence is mixed and mostly early-stage. 245 are randomized controlled trials and 221 are systematic reviews or meta-analyses. The strongest signals are for relaxation, anxiety, and pain, not for curing disease. Every study is below, graded by evidence strength and pulled from PubMed.
808 studies · page 16 of 68
Investigating the Effect of Reflexology on the Breast Milk Volume of Preterm Infants' Mothers
Reflexology is an interventional method which may lead to improved breast milk. Because the mechanism of milk production is complex, detailed research is required on the relationship between lactation and reflexology. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of reflexology on the volume of milk among mothers with premature infants. This clinical trial was conducted among 50 mothers with premature infants in two groups of 25 patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Alzahra and Shahid Beheshti hospitals of Isfahan, Iran from August 2015 to November 2015. The patients were selected through convenience sampling method and divided into control and reflexology groups through random allocation. In the reflexology group, massage of the sole of the foot and foot was done in six sessions. The control group received regular breastfeeding training. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Repeated-measures analysis of variance test indicated that the mean volume of breast milk in reflexology group (F = 44.002, p F = 43.09, p t-test showed that the mean increase in milk volume from day 1 to day 5 after the intervention compared to before the intervention was significantly higher in the reflexology group compared to the control group 1days after the intervention (t=5.25, p t= 4.81, p t=3.55, p =0.001), 4 days after the intervention (t= 2.98, p =0.004), 5 days after the intervention (t= 2.50, p =0.020). The results indicate that reflexology is effective on the volume of milk of mothers, and this low-cost and easy procedure can be used along with regular lactation training.
moderate evidence
Q1 JournalFidelity scorecard: evaluation of a caregiver-delivered symptom management intervention
To evaluate and quantify the intervention fidelity of a symptom management protocol through implementation of a scorecard, using an exemplar study of caregiver-delivered reflexology for people with breast cancer. Studies on caregiver-delivered symptom management interventions seldom include adequate information on protocol fidelity, contributing to potentially suboptimal provision of the therapeutic intervention, hindering reproducibility and generalizability of the results. Fidelity assessment of a 4-week intervention protocol in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with data collection between 2012 - 2016. The National Institutes of Health Behaviour Change Consortium (NIH-BCC) conceptual model for intervention fidelity guided the study. The five NIH-BCC fidelity elements are: (1) dose; (2) provider training; (3) intervention delivery; (4) intervention receipt; and (5) enactment. To illustrate the elements, an intervention protocol was deconstructed and each element quantified using a newly developed fidelity scorecard. Mean scores and frequency distributions were derived for the scorecard elements. For dose, the mean number of sessions was 4·4, 96% used the correct intervention duration and 29% had 4 weeks with at least one session. Provider training was achieved at 80% of the maximum score, intervention delivery was 96%, intervention receipt was 99% and enactment indicated moderate adoption at 3·8 sessions per patient. The sample mean score was 15·4 out of 16, indicating the high overall fidelity. Research findings that include description of how fidelity is both addressed and evaluated are necessary for clinical translation. Clinicians can confidently recommend symptom management strategies to patients and caregivers when fidelity standards are explicitly reported and measured.
The Effect of Magnetic Therapy on Postoperative Urinary Retention in Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Urinary retention is a postoperative problem that causes pain and discomfort for patients, even when catheters are used. The potential role of magnetic therapy in treating postoperative urinary retention through acupuncture points remains uncertain. This research aims to assess the impact of magnetic therapy on urinary retention in patients undergoing surgery. This single-blind clinical trial study was conducted in a recovery department within an operating room and subsequently in the Surgery Department of Amin Hospital. The study took place in Isfahan in 2022, with a sample of 64 patients selected using a simple random sampling method and divided equally into two groups. In the intervention group, magnet plates were applied, while the control group received iron plates at seven specific points for duration of 35 ± 5 minutes. Demographic information, the type of urinary excretion, the duration of urinary retention, and the volume of excreted urine were recorded using a researcher-made checklist for both intervention and control groups. These data were compared and subjected to descriptive and analytical statistical analysis. Among the participants (N = 64), the majority were male (N = 37, 57.80%), and the mean age was 40.17 years. The Chi-square analysis revealed no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the type of urinary excretion (p = 0.106). However, the Mann-Whitney U-test demonstrated significant difference between the two groups regarding the duration required to eliminate urinary retention and the volume of excreted urine (F2,41 = 62 and F1,76 = 62; p < 0.001). The use of a novel approach involving magnetic therapy applied to acupuncture and reflexology points has been shown to reduce the time required for the first urination and increase the volume of urine in post-surgery patients.
The Effects of Aromatherapy Massage and Reflexology on Pain and Fatigue in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Nonpharmacologic interventions for symptom management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are underinvestigated. Limited data suggest that aromatherapy massage and reflexology may help to reduce pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the effects of aromatherapy massage and reflexology on pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study sample was randomly assigned to either an aromatherapy massage (n = 17), reflexology (n = 17) or the control group (n = 17). Aromatherapy massage was applied to both knees of subjects in the first intervention group for 30 minutes. Reflexology was administered to both feet of subjects in the second intervention group for 40 minutes during weekly home visits. Control group subjects received no intervention. Fifty-one subjects with rheumatoid arthritis were recruited from a university hospital rheumatology clinic in Turkey between July 2014 and January 2015 for this randomized controlled trial. Data were collected by personal information form, DAS28 index, Visual Analog Scale and Fatigue Severity Scale. Pain and fatigue scores were measured at baseline and within an hour after each intervention for 6 weeks. Pain and fatigue scores significantly decreased in the aromatherapy massage and reflexology groups compared with the control group (p < .05). The reflexology intervention started to decrease mean pain and fatigue scores earlier than aromatherapy massage (week 1 vs week 2 for pain, week 1 vs week 4 for fatigue) (p < .05). Aromatherapy massage and reflexology are simple and effective nonpharmacologic nursing interventions that can be used to help manage pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Comparison of the Effect of Reflexology and Swedish Massage on Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep Quality in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: a Randomized Clinical Trial
Patients undergoing hemodialysis experience painful complications such as restless leg syndrome and poor sleep quality, which negatively affect their quality of life. This study aimed to compare the effect of reflexology and Swedish massage on restless leg syndrome and sleep quality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This is a randomized clinical trial conducted on 90 patients undergoing hemodialysis. The two intervention groups received either foot reflexology (n = 30) or Swedish massage (n = 30) for four weeks. In the sham group (n = 30), a simple touch of the knee down was performed with the same conditions as the intervention groups. Each sample completed the International Restless Leg Syndrome and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaires before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. The results showed that immediately after the intervention, restless leg syndrome and sleep quality were significantly better in the foot reflexology massage group than the Swedish massage and sham groups (PRLS PSQI RLS = 0.47, PPSQI = 0.95), (PRLS = 0.91, PPSQI = 0.87). Reflexology and Swedish massage, as complementary methods, can improve the restless leg syndrome and sleep quality of patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, foot reflexology massage had been more effective.
strong evidenceThe Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Female Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Patients with cardiovascular diseases usually suffer from hospital anxiety and depression. This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology massage on anxiety and depression in female older adults suffering from acute coronary syndrome. Ninety older women with acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups (n=45 in each group). A randomized controlled trial. The intervention and control groups received foot reflexology massage and routine care, respectively. The levels of anxiety and depression were evaluated using the hospital's anxiety and depression scale (HADS) before and immediately after foot reflexology massage. Foot reflexology massage reduced both anxiety (F(1.44)=19.11, p = .001) and depression (F(1.44)=16.76, p = .001) in acute coronary patients relative to control patients. The intervention had a large effect on hospital anxiety and depression. Foot reflexology massage is an efficient and safe intervention for alleviating psychological responses among female older adults suffering from acute coronary syndrome during hospitalization.
The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Stress, Fatigue, and Low Back Pain in Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study, which uses a randomized controlled design, aimed to determine the effect of foot reflexology on stress, fatigue, and low back pain (LBP) in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. The study was conducted with intensive care unit nurses at two hospitals in a city between September 2022 and April 2023. The study sample consisted of 42 nurses, 21 of whom had low back pain for at least 3 months and 21 of whom were controls. In the study, foot reflexology was applied to the intervention group for 20 minutes (10 minutes on each foot) once a week for 4 weeks. There was no intervention applied to the control group. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Based on the change in the mean scores of the scale in the intervention and control groups over time, a statistically significant decrease was found between the pre-test (before foot reflexology) and post-test mean scores of the LBP-VAS (from 6.33 to 2.24, respectively) and the Fatigue Severity Scale (from 4.81 to 3.60, respectively) in the intervention group. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the perceived stress scale pre-test and post-test scores, it was found that there was a decrease in favor of the intervention group. Foot reflexology appears to offer promise as an effective method for ICU nurses to reduce lower back pain and fatigue.
Effect of Foot Reflexology and Aromatherapy on Anxiety and Pain During Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer
To determine if the addition of aromatherapy and foot reflexology to the standard of care improves pain and anxiety in patients receiving brachytherapy for cervical cancer. 41 women with locally advanced cervical cancer who received intracavitary brachytherapy as part of their treatment. Participants were randomized to either the control group, which received the standard-of-care management during brachytherapy, or the intervention group, which received the addition of aromatherapy and foot reflexology to standard of care. Participants rated their pain on a numeric rating scale and anxiety on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a numeric rating scale at five different time points. All average pain and anxiety scores were equal or lower at each key time point for the intervention group. Statistically significant differences were found for the intervention group for anxiety on the numeric rating scale and on the STAI, but only post-reflexology. Nurses and other healthcare providers can be trained to provide reflexology during painful, anxiety-producing procedures to increase patient tolerance of these treatments and overall quality of life.
Partner-Delivered Reflexology: Effects On Cancer Pain and Anxiety.
| 42 experimental and 44 control subjects comprised 86 dyads of patients with metastatic cancer and their partners, representing 16 different types of cancer. Partners received a 30 minute teaching session on reflexology. Following the initial partner-delivered foot reflexology, patients experienced a significant decrease in pain and anxiety. Conclusion: | Partners who have received a reflexology training are able to deliver foot reflexology to patients with metastatic cancer which results in an immediate decrease in pain intensity and anxiety. **Implications for Nursing:** Hospitals could have qualified professionals offer reflexology as a complementary therapy and teach interested partners the modality.
Randomised controlled trial of reflexology for menopausal symptoms.
Researchers tested whether reflexology—a therapy involving pressure applied to specific points on the feet—could help reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were divided into groups receiving real reflexology or a control treatment to fairly compare the effects.
The influence of foot and back massage on blood pressure and sleep quality in females with essential hypertension: a randomized controlled study.
Researchers tested whether foot and back massage could help women with high blood pressure sleep better and feel calmer. The study compared women who received massage to a control group and measured their blood pressure and sleep quality over time.
Pregnancy Research on Osteopathic Manipulation Optimizing Treatment Effects: the PROMOTE study.
The PROMOTE study investigated whether osteopathic manipulation—a hands-on treatment technique—could help optimize outcomes for pregnant women. Researchers compared pregnant women who received osteopathic manipulation with those who received standard care to see if the treatment improved pregnancy-related symptoms and outcomes.
Does reflexology work? Common questions
Is reflexology scientifically proven?
No. The most careful reviews conclude reflexology isn't a proven treatment for any specific medical condition. What the research more consistently supports is relaxation and short-term relief of anxiety and pain. We track 808 studies here, graded by evidence strength, so you can judge for yourself.
Does reflexology actually work?
It depends what you mean. For curing or treating a disease, the evidence doesn't support it. For helping people relax and feel less anxious or in less pain during a session, a number of small studies are positive, including 245 randomized controlled trials and 221 systematic reviews or meta-analyses in this library.
Is reflexology a pseudoscience?
Reflexology's core idea, that specific points on the feet map to distant organs, isn't backed by anatomy or physiology, and that's why critics call it pseudoscience. The relaxation and comfort people feel during a session are real, though. It's best understood as a complementary relaxation practice, not a medical treatment.
What is reflexology best supported for?
The strongest and most consistent evidence is for relaxation and short-term reduction in anxiety and pain, plus some cancer-care symptoms like nausea and fatigue. Evidence for treating specific diseases is weak. Use the evidence-strength filter to sort studies by how solid they are.
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