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 2 of 68
Effectiveness of manual interventions on overall symptoms, pain and quality of life in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The systematic review and meta-analysis aim to thoroughly assess the efficacy of manual interventions like massage therapy, reflexology, and acupressure techniques in relation to overall symptoms, pain, and quality of life (QOL) in patients suffering from CIPN. A total of eight Chinese and English databases were searched, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, ProQuest, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan Fang Database. The searching lasted from the establishment of each database to July 2025. The study aims to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary outcome measures were symptoms of CIPN, pain, and QOL. Standard Deviation (SMD) and 95% CI were calculated in a random-effects model. This study was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, CRD420251112391). In total, 11 RCTs with a total of 646 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that manual interventions may improve primary outcomes, including quality of life (SMD = 1.05; 95% CI = 0.60, 1.50; P 2 > 90%), which may be related to the limited number of existing studies and differences in intervention details. Low- to very low-certainty evidence suggests that manual interventions may reduce core symptoms and pain associated with CIPN, and potentially improve sleep quality and quality of life. However, due to high heterogeneity and risk of bias, these findings should be interpreted with caution.
strong evidence
Q1 JournalReflexology for symptom relief in patients with cancer
Complementary therapies are increasingly being used in hospices and hospitals alongside orthodox treatments in an attempt to improve patients' emotional, spiritual, psychological, and physical well-being. An average of 31% of UK patients with cancer use some form of complementary therapy. Many UK cancer centers, out-patient units, and hospices are providing complementary services. There is strong anecdotal evidence that complementary therapies assist in the palliation of physical and psychological symptoms. This systematic review examines the research evidence base for the effectiveness of reflexology in cancer care. The study reports the results of a systematic review following the Cochrane principles of systematic reviewing. No meta-analysis was possible. Studies were retrieved from a comprehensive search of electronic databases from their start dates. An initial search was carried out in 2003 and updated in 2005 to 2006. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials, controlled before and after studies, and interrupted time-series studies. Participants were adults with a diagnosis of cancer, receiving care in any healthcare setting. Interventions were limited to reflexology carried out by a qualified therapist as distinguished from another healthcare professional carrying out a reflexology intervention. Outcome measures were patient-reported levels of physical and psychological indices of symptom distress and quality of life (measured using validated assessment tools).
Non-invasive interventions for improving well-being and quality of life in patients with lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Despite advances in treatment, outlook for the majority of patients remains grim and most face a pessimistic outlook accompanied by sometimes devastating effects on emotional and psychological health. Although chemotherapy is accepted as an effective treatment for advanced lung cancer, the high prevalence of treatment-related side effects as well the symptoms of disease progression highlight the need for high quality palliative and supportive care to minimise symptom distress and to promote quality of life. To assess the effectiveness of non-invasive interventions delivered by healthcare professionals in improving symptoms, psychological functioning and quality of life in patients with lung cancer. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2003), MEDLINE (1966-March 2003), EMBASE (1974-March 2003), CINAHL (1982-September 2002), CancerLit (1975-October 2002), PsycINFO (1873-March 2003), reference lists of relevant articles and contact with authors. Randomised or quasi-randomised clinical trials assessing the effects of non-invasive interventions in improving well-being and quality of life in patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Two reviewers independently assessed relevant studies for inclusion. Data extraction and quality assessment of relevant studies was performed by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Nine trials were included and categorised into six groups. Two trials of a nursing intervention to manage breathlessness showed benefit on symptom experience, performance status and emotional functioning. Three trials assessed structured nursing programmes and found positive effects on delay in clinical deterioration, dependency and symptom distress, and improvements in emotional functioning and satisfaction with care. One trial assessing counselling showed benefit on some emotional components of the illness but findings were not conclusive. One trial
Nasal saline irrigations for the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis
The use of nasal irrigation for the treatment of nose and sinus complaints has its foundations in yogic and homeopathic traditions. There has been increasing use of saline irrigation, douches, sprays and rinsing as an adjunct to the medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis. Treatment strategies often include the use of topical saline from once to more than four times a day. Considerable patient effort is often involved. Any additional benefit has been difficult to discern from other treatments. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of topical saline in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis. Our search included the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 4 2006), MEDLINE (1950 to 2006) and EMBASE (1974 to 2006). The date of the last search was November 2006. Randomised controlled trials in which saline was evaluated in comparison with either no treatment, a placebo, as an adjunct to other treatments or against treatments. The comparison of hypertonic versus isotonic solutions was also compared. Trials were graded for methodological quality using the Cochrane approach (modification of Chalmers 1990). Only symptom scores from saline versus no treatment and symptom and radiological scores from the hypertonic versus isotonic group could be pooled for statistical analysis. A narrative overview of the remaining results is presented. Eight trials were identified that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Three studies compared topical saline against no treatment, one against placebo, one as an adjunct to and one against an intranasal steroid spray. Two studies compared different hypertonic solutions against isotonic saline. There is evidence that saline is beneficial in the treatment of the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis when used as the sole modality of treatment. Evidence also exists in favour of saline as a treatment adjunct. No superiority was s
Effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine interventions for sleep quality in adult intensive care patients: A systematic review
Pharmacological interventions for sleep (analgesic, sedative and hypnotic agents) can both disrupt and induce sleep and have many negative side effects within the intensive care population. The use of complementary and alternative medicine therapies to assist with sleep has been studied but given the variety of modalities and methodological limitations no reliable conclusions have been drawn. To synthesise research findings regarding the effectiveness of using complementary and alternative medicine interventions within the domains of mind and body practices (relaxation techniques, acupuncture) and natural biologically based products (herbs, vitamins, minerals, probiotics) on sleep quality and quantity in adult intensive care patients. Systematic review. Five databases were searched in August 2018 and updated in February 2019 and 2020. Searches were limited to peer reviewed randomised controlled trials, published in English involving adult populations in intensive care units. Interventions were related to the complementary and alternative medicine domains of mind and body practices and natural products. Included studies were assessed using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. Seventeen studies were included. The interventions used varied: 4 investigated melatonin; 4 music +/- another therapy; 3 acupressure; 2 aromatherapy and 1 each for relaxation and imagery, reflexology, bright light exposure and inspiratory muscle training. Measurement of sleep quantity and quality was also varied: 5 studies used objective measures such as Polysomnography and Bispectral index with the remaining using subjective patient or clinician assessment (for example, Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, observation). Given the different interventions, outcomes and measures used in the studies a meta-analysis was not possible. Generally, the results support the use of complementary and alternative medicine for assisting with sleep with 11 out of 17 trials repor
The efficacy of reflexology: systematic review
This paper is a report of a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of reflexology in any condition. Anecdotal evidence has shown potential benefits of reflexology in a variety of health conditions. However, the efficacy of reflexology has yet to be determined. Cochrane library, PubMed, MEDLINE, EBM review, ProQuest Medical Bundle and SCOPUS databases were searched using the following medical subject headings or key words: reflexology, foot reflexotherapy, reflexological treatment, foot massage and zone therapy. Chinese articles were searched through the Chinese electronic periodical services and Wangfane database. The publication date was limited from 1996 to 2007. Studies were selected if they were written in English or Chinese, used a controlled clinical trial design, used reflexology as a stand-alone modality, and reported such outcomes as symptoms relief, quality of life and patients' perceptions of reflexology. Study quality was reviewed based on the evidence rating system of the United States Preventive Services Task Force, and studies with the evidence rating of II-2 fair or above were included in this review. Among the five studies suitable for review, there was only one report of a statistically significant treatment effect. Among the 12 outcome variables examined, the treatment effect size for urinary symptoms was large, whereas the effect size for other conditions was negligible. There is no evidence for any specific effect of reflexology in any conditions, with the exception of urinary symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. Routine provision of reflexology is therefore not recommended.
Massage for low-back pain
Low-back pain is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal problems in modern society. Proponents of massage therapy claim it can minimize pain and disability, and speed return to normal function. To assess the effects of massage therapy for non-specific low-back pain. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL from their beginning to May 2008. We also searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2006, issue 3), HealthSTAR and Dissertation abstracts up to 2006. There were no language restrictions. References in the included studies and in reviews of the literature were screened. The studies had to be randomized or quasi-randomized trials investigating the use of any type of massage (using the hands or a mechanical device) as a treatment for non-specific low-back pain. Two review authors selected the studies, assessed the risk of bias using the criteria recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group, and extracted the data using standardized forms. Both qualitative and meta-analyses were performed. Thirteen randomized trials were included. Eight had a high risk and five had a low risk of bias. One study was published in German and the rest in English. Massage was compared to an inert therapy (sham treatment) in two studies that showed that massage was superior for pain and function on both short and long-term follow-ups. In eight studies, massage was compared to other active treatments. They showed that massage was similar to exercises, and massage was superior to joint mobilization, relaxation therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture and self-care education. One study showed that reflexology on the feet had no effect on pain and functioning. The beneficial effects of massage in patients with chronic low-back pain lasted at least one year after the end of the treatment. Two studies compared two different techniques of massage. One concluded that acupuncture massage produces better results than classic (Swedish) massage and anot
Massage and touch for dementia
Massage and touch have been suggested as a non-pharmacological alternative or supplement to other treatments offered in order to reduce or manage a range of conditions associated with dementia such as anxiety, agitated behaviour and depression. It has also been suggested that massage and touch may counteract cognitive decline. To assess the effects of a range of massage and touch therapies on conditions associated with dementia, such as anxiety, agitated behaviour and depression, identify any adverse effects, and provide recommendations about future trials. We identified trials from a search of the Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group on 12 July 2005 using the terms massage, reflexology, touch and shiatsu. This Register contains records from all major healthcare databases and many ongoing trials databases and is updated regularly. In addition, general and specific literature databases were searched and patient and therapist organizations contacted. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which a massage or touch intervention was given to persons suffering from dementia of any type, compared with other treatments or no treatment, and in which effect parameters included measures of behavioural problems, caregiver burden, emotional distress or cognitive abilities, were eligible for inclusion. Furthermore, we employed a set of minimal methodological quality criteria as a selection filter. We identified 34 references in the initial searches. Of these, seven were actual or possible RCTs, but only two were found to meet the requirements of the set of minimal methodological criteria. The very limited amount of reliable evidence available is in favour of massage and touch interventions for problems associated with dementia. However, this evidence addresses only two specific applications: hand massage for the immediate or short-term reduction of agitated behaviour, and the addition of touch to verbal encouragement to eat for the no
Acupuncture for procedural pain in newborn infants
Procedural pain management in newborns, particularly those in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), presents challenges due to limited safe and effective options. Acupuncture, a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, has emerged as a potential alternative for pain relief in this population. To assess the benefits and harms of acupuncture in newborn infants undergoing painful procedures. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Embase, and clinical trial registries up to August 2023. We checked the references of included studies and related systematic reviews. We included parallel and cross-over randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture with no treatment or sham treatment; any non-pharmacological treatment; any pharmacological treatment; or one type of acupuncture compared to another type of acupuncture. Our outcomes were: pain scores; harms; parental, family, and caregiver satisfaction with the intervention; use of additional pharmacological intervention for pain relief; episodes of bradycardia/apnea/desaturation; neonatal mortality; mortality during initial hospitalization; intraventricular hemorrhage; late-onset sepsis; duration of hospital stay; major neurodevelopmental disability. We used Cochrane's RoB 1 tool for RCTs. We conducted meta-analyses using fixed-effect models to calculate risk ratios (RR) and risk differences (RD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes, and mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD, when combining different pain scales) and standard deviation for continuous outcomes. We summarized the certainty of evidence according to the GRADE approach. We included 11 RCTs enrolling 852 infants. Five studies compared acupuncture to no treatment or sham treatment; four studies to non-pharmacological treatment (oral sucrose or glucose); and two studies compared acupuncture to other types of Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments, which we refer to
Sensory stimulation for persons with dementia: a review of the literature
To provide an overview of available sensory stimulation interventions, and their effect on persons with dementia and to present theoretical and methodological characteristics of the studies included. Different sensory stimulation interventions are used for persons with dementia to increase alertness, reduce agitation and improve quality of life. However, the effect of these interventions is not clear, neither are their characteristics. A systematic search and review of the literature with description of the content and an evaluation of theoretical and methodological approaches. Systematic searches in CINAHL, PubMed (Medline), The Cochrane library and PsycINFO. Studies included have been subject to quality assessment by means of Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Fifty-five studies were included and thirty of these documented significant effect. The effect of the sensory stimulation interventions mainly reported on negative behaviours, except from five studies assessing quality of life and well-being. The majority of the studies had methodological limitations. The different sensory stimulation interventions were organised into eight categories: music, light therapy, acupressure/reflexology, massage/aromatherapy and doll therapy/pet therapy/toy therapy, the Sonas programme and Snoezelen. More studies are needed to clarify appropriate substantial background for the specific interventions. However, most of the studies based their interventions on a theoretical foundation. Furthermore, more research is needed to measure the effect of sensory stimulation on communication as well as quality of life. In addition, studies are to focus on whether the effect depends on the stage of dementia. Nurses are to be aware of sensory stimulation as a possible intervention to improve persons' quality of life. In Norway more than a third of all patients with cancer use some form of complementary or alternative therapy (CAM). In order to support The Norwegian Cancer Societyȁ
The effect of non-pharmacological interventions on anxiety and pain in patients undergoing coronary angiography: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Patients undergoing coronary angiography are susceptible to some discomforts, including anxiety and pain; hence, non-pharmacological interventions are being increasingly employed to alleviate these symptoms. Our aim was to investigate and contrast the effects of a number non-pharmacological therapies on alleviating anxiety and pain sensations, and to determine the most efficacious approach for patients experiencing anxiety and pain during coronary angiography. We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan-fang Data, from the inception of each database until December 25, 2025. The principal end measure was anxiety level, with the secondary outcome encompassing pain level. Pairwise meta-analyses and network meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4.1, Stata 17, and R 4.3.1. A total of 77 studies were included, comprising 71 randomized controlled trials and six quasi-experimental studies, with an aggregate of 8199 participants across 10 distinct interventions: virtual reality, relaxation therapy, music therapy, education, reflexology therapy, acupressure, aromatherapy, stress ball, psychotherapy, and bed angle changes. The findings indicated that reflexology therapy serves as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for individuals experiencing anxiety during coronary angiography, resulting in a significant reduction of anxiety symptoms when compared to the control group. For patients undergoing coronary angiography with anxiety symptoms, reflexology therapy, relaxation therapy, acupressure, and virtual reality, music therapy, and education all improve anxiety symptoms. In patients undergoing coronary angiography with painful symptoms, stress ball, virtual reality, acupressure, bed angle changes, and music therapy, demonstrated significant improvements in pain symptoms. Stress ball was prioritized in the rankings. This study's findings demonstrate that th
Effect of massage therapy on sleep quality in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
The aim of the study was to compare the effects of massage interventions on sleep quality among patients in the adult critical care unit. Massage interventions have positive effects when applied to manage sleep quality in critical care units. However, research identifying the effect of massage intervention is limited. This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Five databases were searched from their inception to 15 April 2022 (the last search was conducted on 15 November 2022, but it yielded no additional eligible studies). The literature search was conducted using Embase, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO and additional sources such as Google Scholar. The Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised trials (RoB 2.0) was used to assess the risk of bias. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system assessed the certainty of evidence and recommendations. In total, ten randomised controlled trials comprising 569 participants were used in the systematic review, and eight trials were included in the meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis revealed significant effects of foot reflexology massage on subjective sleep quality. Massage therapy for a two-night duration in cardiac care unit patients exhibited a significant effect on subjective sleep quality. The overall GRADE certainty of evidence was low. Massage intervention, particularly foot reflexology massage, with a two-night duration showed improvement in subjective sleep quality among critically ill patients. Although evidence quality was low, the results suggest that massage interventions provide a non-invasive, low-cost and effective way to promote sleep quality in critically ill adult patients. Massage interventions can enable nurses to recommend and implement strategies promoting and improving sleep quality among critically ill patients. The review protocol was registered a priori and published
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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