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 30 of 68
Effect of Reflexology Intervention on Stress Levels, Sleep Duration, Sucking Frequency, and Crying Episodes in Newborn Infants
Reflexology is an alternative treatment method that has been increasingly used in recent years. This study aimed to determine the effect of reflexology intervention on stress levels, sleep duration, sucking frequency, and crying episodes in newborn infants. This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Using the block randomization method, 72 infants were included in the study (control = 36, experimental = 36). A demographic characteristics form, the Neonatal Stress Scale, and neonatal sleep duration, sucking frequency, and crying episodes form were used. Reflexology was applied to the left and right feet twice on the second day of the study, once in the morning and once in the evening. Within-group comparisons showed that the stress scale scores of infants in the experimental group decreased statistically significantly compared to the control group. One day before the intervention, sleep duration, sucking frequency, and crying episodes of the control and experimental group infants were similar. On the second and third days, when the intervention was applied twice, the sleep duration and sucking frequency increased, and the crying episodes decreased. Reflexology was found to decrease stress, crying episodes and increase sleep duration and sucking frequency in newborn infants.
strong evidenceThe effect of reflexology on pain intensity and duration of labor on primiparas
Reflexology is an ancient, mild and non-invasive technique, used widely as one of the non-pharmacological methods for pain relief. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of reflexology on pain intensity as well as to determine the duration of labor in primiparas. In 2008, a randomized clinical trial study was conducted randomly enrolling 120 parturient women with low risk pregnancy into three groups in Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The first group received 40 minutes of reflexology at the beginning of active phase (4-5 cm cervical dilatation). Emotional support was offered for the second group in the same stage of pregnancy and with the same duration. The third group received only routine care during labor. Pain severity was evaluated with visual analogue scale (0 to 10 cm). In all groups, pregnant women were asked to evaluate the severity of pain experienced before and after intervention and also at cervical dilatations of 6-7 cm and 8-10 cm respectively. Data were collected through the numerical pain scale. Pain intensity at all the three stages of cervical dilatation was significantly lower in the reflexology group. During the 4-5 cm dilatation stage, women in the supported group reported less severe pain compared to those receiving routine care, but no significant differences at the later stages of labor. This indicates that reflexology could decrease the duration of first, second and third stages of labor. Our findings showed that reflexology can be useful to decrease the pain intensity as well as duration of labor.
The impact of reflexology and homeopathy added to conventional asthma treatment on markers of airway inflammation - a randomised study
Background: Asthma is a common chronic airway disease associated with hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medication especially inhaled corticosteroids are important for control of airway inflammation, decrease of airway hyperresponsiveness and lung function variability, reduce asthma symptoms, and improve lung function as well as quality of life. Most studies investigating the influence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in asthma measure clinical effectiveness, but only few evaluate the impact on markers of airway inflammation. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of reflexology and homeopathy added to conventional treatment on different markers of airway inflammation in asthma. Methods: Eighty-four patients with asthma were randomized to receive conventional treatment alone or conventional treatment with addition of homeopathy or reflexology in a single center, investigator blinded, controlled, one-year trial. During the study period, patients regularly consulted their general practitioner for evaluation and asthma treatment. At randomization, and after 6 and 12 months, methacholine challenge test and measurement of exhaled nitric oxide were performed. Blood samples were collected for eosinophil count and measurement of serum eosinophil cationic protein. Results: No significant differences between groups for any of the inflammatory markers were demonstrated. Methacholine responsiveness improved in all three groups but improvements were not statistically significant within and between groups. Conclusions: This randomized controlled study of reflexology and homeopathy failed to show significant improvement on selected markers of inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma.
PROMIS and legacy measures compared in a supportive care intervention for breast cancer patients and caregivers: Experience from a randomized trial
Accurate and efficient measurement of patient-reported outcomes is key in cancer symptom management trials. The newer Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and previously developed measures of similar conceptual content (legacy) are available to measure symptoms and functioning. This report compares the performance of two sets of measures, PROMIS and legacy, in a recently completed trial of a supportive care intervention that enrolled breast cancer patients and their friend or family caregivers. Patient-caregiver dyads (N = 256) were randomized to either reflexology delivered by caregivers or usual care control. Post-intervention, PROMIS and legacy measures of symptoms and functioning were analyzed in relation to trial arm, while adjusting for baseline values. Responsiveness of the two sets of measures was assessed using effect sizes and P-values for the effect of trial arm on patients' and caregivers' symptom and functioning outcomes. Similar conclusions about intervention effects were found using PROMIS and legacy measures for pain, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, physical, and social functioning. Different conclusions were obtained for patient and caregiver depression: legacy measures indicated the efficacy of reflexology, while PROMIS depression measure did not. Evidence of similar responsiveness supports the use of either set of measures for symptoms and functioning in clinical and general populations. Differences between PROMIS and legacy measures of depression need to be considered when choosing instruments for use in trials of supportive care interventions and in clinical practice.
A Randomized Clinical Trial of Caregiver-Delivered Reflexology for Symptom Management During Breast Cancer Treatment
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a home-based reflexology intervention delivered by a friend/family caregiver compared with attention control on health-related quality of life of women with advanced breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, targeted and/or hormonal therapy. Patient-caregiver dyads (N = 256) were randomized to four weekly reflexology sessions or attention control. Caregivers in the intervention group were trained in a 30-minute protocol. During the four weeks, both groups had telephone symptom assessments, and intervention group had fidelity assessments. The intervention effects were assessed using linear mixed-effects models at weeks 5 and 11 for symptom severity and interference with daily activities, functioning, social support, quality of patient-caregiver relationship, and satisfaction with life. Significant reductions in average symptom severity (P = 0.02) and interference (P < 0.01) over 11 weeks were found in the reflexology group compared with control, with no group differences in functioning, social support, quality of relationship, or satisfaction with life at weeks 5 and 11. Stronger quality of relationship was associated with lower symptom interference in the entire sample (P = 0.02), but controlling for it did not diminish the effect of intervention on symptoms. Significant reductions in symptom severity in the reflexology group compared with attention control were seen during weeks 2-5 but were reduced at Week 11. Efficacy findings of caregiver-delivered reflexology with respect to symptom reduction open a new evidence-based avenue for home-based symptom management.
Improving Quality of Life in The Constipated Older Person: Reflexology or Abdominal Massage? A Two-Group, Randomized Comparative Trial
This study is a randomized comparative trial designed to determine the effects of reflexology and abdominal massage on the improvement of constipation and quality of life of older persons. Participants were randomized to the reflexology group ( n = 50) or abdominal massage group ( n = 50). Data were collected by using a descriptive information form, the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT), the Katz Daily Life Activity Scale (Katz ADL), the Constipation Severity Scale (CSS), and the Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire (CQOLQ). The comparison of the mean scores of participants from the total CSS and the total CQOLQ before and after reflexology and abdominal massage application indicated that the mean post-intervention scores on the total CSS and the total CQOLQ decreased significantly compared with preintervention scores ( p < .05). When the mean scores of the reflexology and abdominal massage groups for the total CSS and the total CQOLQ were compared, there was no significant difference between the groups ( p < .05). Both interventions improved the constipation problem of these older persons and their quality of life. The effects of both reflexology and abdominal massage were similar in improving constipation and quality of life in older persons. To assess benefits and harms of nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions for breathlessness in adults with advanced cancer. We searched PubMed®, Embase®, CINAHL®, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through early May 2020. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies with a comparison group evaluating benefits and/or harms, and cohort studies reporting harms. Two reviewers independently screened search results, serially abstracted data, assessed risk of bias, and graded strength of evidence (SOE) for key outcomes: breathlessness, anxiety, health-related quality of life, and exercise capacity. We performed meta-analyses w
The effect of reflexology on labor pain, anxiety, labor duration, and birth satisfaction in primiparous pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial
The authors of this study aimed to determine the effect of reflexology on labor outcomes in primiparous pregnant women. A total of 60 women participated in the study in 2 groups of 30 for reflexology and control groups. During the first stage of labor, the reflexology technique was applied to reflex regions of each foot. VAS mean scores and State Anxiety Inventory mean scores of the experimental group were found to be statistically significantly lower than the control group. Reflexology was effective in decreasing pain and anxiety and increasing the birth satisfaction during the first stage of labor.
Comparison of the effects of reflexology and classical hand massage on pain, anxiety, and vital signs in patients after coronary angiography: A randomized controlled trial
Pain and anxiety are common issues experienced by patients after coronary angiography, often negatively impacting recovery and causing changes in vital signs. This study aimed to compare the effects of reflexology and classical hand massage on pain, anxiety, and vital signs in patients after coronary angiography. It was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial with 70 patients who underwent coronary angiography in a hospital. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups via block randomization: reflexology hand massage (n = 35) and classical hand massage (n = 35). Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, State Anxiety Inventory, Visual Analog Scale, and Vital Signs Form. Both massages were applied to both hands for 20 min after angiography. Measurements were taken before the intervention and at 30, 60, and 120 min afterward. In the reflexology group, a significantly greater reduction was found in pain (effect size=0.926) and anxiety (effect size=0.680) compared to the classical massage group (p < .05). Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both groups (reflexology: 0.971; classical: 0.986), while diastolic pressure dropped significantly only in the reflexology group (effect size = -1.019). A significant reduction in pulse rate was also noted only in the reflexology group (effect size=0.985). No significant change was observed in respiratory rate; however, oxygen saturation increased significantly in the reflexology group (effect size=0.998). Reflexology was more effective than classical hand massage in reducing pain, anxiety, and certain vital signs after coronary angiography.
Effectiveness of standard of care, vs. its combination with reflexology and sham reflexology on preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial
Preoperative anxiety is common. To date, no randomized controlled trial has examined the effectiveness of reflexology in reducing preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A randomized, single blinded, interventional trial was conducted with 300 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, comparing the following three groups: controls receiving standard-of-care (SoC) only (group 1); intervention group receiving reflexology and SoC (group 2); and a group receiving sham reflexology and SoC (group 3). The primary outcome was the mean difference between the three groups in visual analog scale for anxiety (VAS-A). The secondary outcome was a similar analysis confined to patients experiencing baseline moderate-to-high anxiety. In all groups, level of preoperative anxiety was evaluated at entry and exit from the holding room area (HRA). The evaluation was carried out using the VAS-A questionnaire. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01733771). 101 patients were randomly assigned to the reflexology group, 99 to the sham reflexology arm, and 100 received SoC alone. In all groups, SoC included anxiolytics in 25% of patients received about 2 h before the operation. Baseline anxiety (at entry to HRA) was similar in all groups, averaging 5.3. Between-group analysis comparing the reflexology and sham groups detected 0.8 point difference on 0-10 VAS scale in favor of the reflexology group (p = 0.022). Subgroup analysis of patients with moderate to high level of anxiety (VAS-A>4) at baseline (consisting of 75% of study participants), indicated 1.3 points difference (p = 0.023). The study findings suggest that reflexology treatments have a small, yet significant advantage over sham reflexology and over standard-of-care in reducing preoperative anxiety, in patients with moderate-to-high levels of anxiety. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01733771?tab=results, Identifier: NCT01733771.
Effect of plantar reflexology on labor pain and childbirth experience: A randomized controlled clinical trial
This study aimed to determine the effect of plantar reflexology on the severity of labor pain and childbirth experience (primary outcomes) and the duration of labor stages (secondary outcomes). This single-blind randomized controlled trial was performed on 90 women in Al-Zahra and Taleghani hospitals in Tabriz-Iran. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups; Intervention 1 (two 30-min massages at the effective point of pain for each sole), intervention 2 (one 30-min massage at the effective point of pain and one 30-min massage at the heel for each sole), and control (two 30-minute heel massages). Massage was performed once in 4-cm dilatation and the second time in 7-cm dilatation. The severity of pain and childbirth experience were measured by Visual Analogue Scale and Labor Agentry Scale, respectively. Partograph chart was used to measure the length of labor stages. The severity of pain in intervention group 1 was significantly lower than the control group (AMD: -1.7; 9% confidence interval: -2.8 to -0.6; p = 0.001), but there was no significant difference between intervention groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.066) and intervention group 2 and control (p = 0.336). A significant difference was observed between groups in terms of length of the third stage of labor (p = 0.04). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of mean childbirth experience score (p = 0.217), duration of active phase (p = 0.099), and second stage of labor (p = 0.114). The results of the study showed that plantar reflexology can reduce the severity of labor pain and the length of third stage of labor.
Reflexology and meditative practices for symptom management among people with cancer: Results from a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial
Optimal sequencing of complementary therapies can help improve symptom management through nonpharmacological approaches. A 12-week sequential multiple assignment randomized trial comparing home-based reflexology and meditative practices on severity of fatigue and other symptoms was conducted among patients with cancer and their informal caregivers. Dyads were initially randomized to reflexology (N = 150), meditative practices (N = 150), or control (N = 47). If patient's fatigue did not improve (nonresponse) after 4 weeks of reflexology or meditative practices, the dyad was rerandomized to either add the other therapy or continue with the original therapy for weeks 5-8. Four decision rules (DRs) were compared: (1) Initiating reflexology, and if nonresponse on fatigue after 4 weeks, continue with reflexology for another 4 weeks, thus providing a higher dose; (2) Initiating reflexology, and if nonresponse on fatigue after 4 weeks, add meditative practices for the next 4 weeks; (3) Initiating meditative practices, and if nonresponse on fatigue after 4 weeks, continue meditative practices for another 4 weeks, thus providing a higher dose; and (4) Initiating meditative practices, and if nonresponse on fatigue after 4 weeks, add reflexology for the next 4 weeks. Symptoms were evaluated weekly using the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI). Clinically, nurses can recommend either therapy since no differences were found among the 4 DRs, with the exception of lower severity for summed MDASI symptoms at week 8 for the use of reflexology only (DR-1) versus DR-2 (sequencing reflexology to meditative practices). Adding the other therapy for nonresponders after 4 weeks may not be warranted.
A Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Study of Reflexology, Sucrose, and Other Treatments for Needle Procedures in Newborns
Approximately 10 to 14 painful procedures per day are performed in infants during the hospital stay. We aimed to determine the effect of reflexology applied to the sole during painful procedures on pain perception in newborns compared with other nonpharmacologic methods. Our study was planned as a randomized controlled trial in term infants being followed up in the neonatal intensive care unit and maternity ward. To reduce pain during collection of venous blood or heel lance reflexology on the soles of the foot, 24% sucrose solution, kangaroo care, and classical music listening were applied to the infants. The Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) was used to assess newborns during acute pain. A total of 300 patients were enrolled in the study. Higher pain scores and crying times were observed during heel blood collection. All analgesic methods significantly reduced NIPS scores during heel blood collection. Sucrose was the most effective method, followed by reflexology. The best method that significantly shortened the crying time was again sucrose solution followed by reflexology, kangaroo care, and classical music, during heel blood collection. However, none of the nonpharmacologic methods was effective during venous blood collection. Although sucrose was the most effective method, reflexology has significant positive effects, especially on average heartbeat, reducing pain, and shortening crying times during heel blood sampling. Reflexology might be considered among the nonpharmacologic methods to be applied before routine interventions, but still, there is a need for further studies to investigate the efficiency.
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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