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 34 of 68
Non-pharmacological therapies applied in pregnancy and labor: an integrative review.
This study explored various non-drug therapies applied during pregnancy and childbirth, particularly their effects on labor pain and outcomes. The researchers found that 60% of the therapies evaluated effectively reduced labor pain and improved other labor-related factors. This is significant as it suggests that alternative approaches can provide relief and enhance childbirth experiences.
moderate evidence
Q2 JournalEffects of Cervico-Mandibular Manual Therapy in Patients with Temporomandibular Pain Disorders and Associated Somatic Tinnitus: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
A study investigated the effectiveness of combining manual therapy with an exercise and educational program for individuals suffering from tinnitus related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The results showed significant improvements in TMD pain and tinnitus severity for those receiving both manual therapy and exercise compared to those receiving exercise alone. This matters because it suggests an enhanced treatment approach for a condition that can be challenging to manage.
strong evidenceNational Clinical Guidelines for non-surgical treatment of patients with recent onset low back pain or lumbar radiculopathy.
A recent study evaluated various non-surgical treatments for recent low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy. The findings suggest that patient education, supervised exercise, and manual therapy are beneficial for managing these conditions, while recommending against the routine use of acupuncture and certain medications. These results are significant as they align well with international treatment guidelines, offering a practical approach for patients and healthcare providers alike.
Therapeutic mechanisms of fascia manipulation: A scoping review.
This study reviewed evidence on fascia manipulation, a therapeutic approach for pain management and neuromuscular function. It found that such manipulation can reduce pain through anti-inflammatory effects and enhance physical performance. Understanding these effects could help optimize treatments for individuals suffering from various musculoskeletal issues.
Therapies in practice: a survey assessing nurses' use of complementary therapies
This paper reports the findings of an informal survey to assess nurses' use of complementary therapies within the health care setting. Increasing interest amongst the general public and health care professionals appears to have resulted in an assumption that there is currently widespread use of therapies such as massage, homoeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology and acupuncture within the health care setting. However, to date there have been no national research studies undertaken to substantiate this assumption. This study attempted to identify the range of practices and magnitude of use by nurses who are members of the Royal College of Nursing Complementary Therapy Forum (RCNCTF) UK. A convenience sample was used and a semi-structured questionnaire was inserted into the group's bi-annual newsletter and sent to all members of the RCNCTF (n = 1662). A total of 178 subjects completed and returned the questionnaire, representing a 9.3% response rate. Given the informal nature of this survey, and the fact that it was an insert in a newsletter, a relatively low response was anticipated. Contrary to expectation, findings indicated that the majority of respondents were aged between 41 and 50 years. The six principal therapies practised were (in order of use) massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, relaxation, visualization and acupuncture. The three most common areas of practice, both in the NHS and private sector, were in the community, palliative care and oncology. Findings also indicated that complementary therapies were more commonly practised in the private sector as part of formal working practice. This was in contrast to nurses working in the NHS, where complementary therapies appeared to form less than 20% of their formal nursing care and respondents indicated that, when used, it was often in addition to daily nursing care. Results indicate that nurses are practising complementary therapies less than has been assumed. Those therapies commonly practised form a broader man
limited evidenceExploring patients' interest in complementary therapies in a specialist palliative care unit
The use of complementary therapy has become increasingly integrated into specialist palliative care units (SPCUs). To evaluate patients' interest in and experience of complementary therapies during their inpatient stay in a SPCU. All 179 patients admitted to the SPCU over a 3-month period were assessed on admission. Those deemed suitable to participate by the researcher/clinical nurse specialist were invited to participate in this research. A standardised paper questionnaire was completed by the participating patients. 71 patients (40%) completed the study. Those excluded had cognitive impairment, fatigue, communication difficulties or were imminently dying. Some declined to participate. A variety of age groups and diagnoses were represented. Only 27% of participants had a previous experience of using complementary therapies in the past 12 months. The majority (52%) were 'very interested' in receiving complementary therapy, while 13% reported having 'no interest'. Massage and reflexology were identified as the most popular forms of complementary therapy. The primary anticipated benefits associated with complementary therapy were relaxation and improvement in general wellbeing. This research has indicated a high level of interest in complementary therapies in the study population, across a wide age range regardless of diagnosis or level of disease.
Design and testing of the use of a complementary and alternative therapies survey in women with breast cancer
To design and test a reliable and valid instrument to determine the frequency of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies among women diagnosed with breast cancer. A descriptive cross-sectional survey. Women were recruited from the southeastern area and a rural midwestern area of the United States. 105 predominantly Caucasian women (mean= 59 years of age) with a diagnosis of breast cancer. The Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies Survey was designed with a content validity index, and reliability was determined with the coefficient alpha. Exploratory factor analysis using a principal components analysis identified primary components (factors) embedded within the survey. Frequency of CAM therapy use was calculated for 33 individual therapies listed on the survey and among three survey-defined subscales of CAM therapies (i.e., diet and nutritional supplements, stress-reducing techniques, and traditional and ethnic medicines). Psychometric properties of an instrument to assess frequency of use of CAM among women with breast cancer. The reported prevalence of use of the individual CAM therapies varied considerably. The coefficient alpha estimate for the total survey was 0.86. Estimates for the individual hypothesized subscales were 0.67 for diet and nutritional supplements, 0.79 for stress-reducing techniques, and 0.80 for traditional and ethnic medicines. The principal components analysis resulted in a two-factor solution with nine items that loaded heavily and uniquely on a factor conceptualized as stress and anxiety reduction and six items that loaded heavily and uniquely on a factor conceptualized as dietary and physical manipulation. The remaining five items (vitamins and minerals, prayer and spiritual healing, massage, reflexology, and aromatherapy) indicated moderate loadings on factors one and two and, thus, were interpreted as equivocal items. Preliminary data indicated that the instrument is reliable and valid. Additional w
Women's perceptions of the pain assessment and non-pharmacological pain relief methods used during labor: A cross-sectional survey
The use of non-pharmacological pain relief methods and pain assessment scales during labor has received limited research attention. This study aimed to describe women's perceptions of the pain assessment and non-pharmacological pain relief methods used during labor. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted. A convenience sample of women (n=204) from one Finnish maternity ward participated in the study. Women who had given birth were asked to respond to a validated questionnaire between November 2018 and February 2019. The statistical significance of observed differences was analyzed using the chi-squared test. Less than half (46%) of the women who gave birth at the hospital were asked to assess the intensity of their pain on a pain assessment scale. The most commonly used non-pharmacological pain relief methods were encouragement (92%), the presence of a midwife (82%), and proper breathing technique that was taught by a midwife (81%). Aqua blisters (3%), reflexology (e.g. zone magnets, 5%), and music (9%) were the least commonly used non-pharmacological methods during labor. The participants' experiences of fear and pain were significantly associated with the implementation of pain assessment. Women's pain was rarely evaluated by using a certain pain assessment scale. In addition, non-pharmacological pain relief methods were inadequately used during labor. More specifically, methods that required midwives' own personal contributions were rarely offered to the women.
Attitudes of patients and staff to research in a specialist palliative care unit
Many randomized trials in specialist palliative care (SPC) have failed to recruit sufficient numbers of patients. A questionnaire was designed to assess the attitudes of inpatients of a SPC unit to taking part in research. Only 50% of patients were considered physically and mentally fit for interview. Forty patients and 13 nurses were asked to indicate their willingness to take part, or for their patients to take part, in research in general and then in three hypothetical trials. Reasons for their responses were analysed. The patients were generally agreeable to trial participation (66% 'quite happy' or 'very happy'). The nurses were strongly in favour of research participation for the same group of patients (92% 'quite happy' or 'very happy'). The most invasive study involving venepuncture and random drug allocation had the least favourable response (46% of patients and 54% of nurses 'quite happy' or 'very happy'). A trial of reflexology attracted 77% of patients, while 62% were happy to take part in a study involving mood assessment and interview. Factors deterring willingness to participate included the need for record keeping by the patient and concern about potential emotional strain. The nurses correctly identified some of the factors deterring patients, but often their willingness for trial participation did not match that of the patient. Although there is support for research among the small number of potential trial entrants in specialist palliative care units, their limited physical and emotional reserves make careful attention to appropriate trial design essential to the success of future studies.
Nursing Supports for Managing Nausea and Vomiting in Patients with Cancer Having a Prognosis of Months or Weeks: A Multisite Cross-Sectional Study of Palliative Care Nurses in Japan
This study aimed to clarify the types of nursing support provided by palliative care unit (PCU) nurses in Japan to manage nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer who have a prognosis of months or weeks. This multisite cross-sectional study surveyed registered nurses from all 389 PCUs across Japan. Eligible participants were nurses providing direct care to patients. Data were collected via online surveys from October 2023 to March 2024. The frequency of 13 types of nursing supports for nausea and vomiting was evaluated using a five-point Likert scale, stratified by patient prognosis (months or weeks). Of the 389 PCUs invited, 162 (41.6%) consented to participate. A total of 2448 nurses were invited, of which 539 (22.3%) responded. The most frequently implemented nursing supports were "avoiding unpleasant odors," "providing shaved ice or ice chips," "providing fresh air," and "gargling with cold water." These were consistently practiced by many nurses, regardless of patient prognosis. Conversely, specialized supports such as "reiki," "acupressure," "guided relaxation exercises," "therapeutic touch," and "foot reflexology" were rarely or seldom used. Noninvasive, simple nursing supports that do not require specialized knowledge or skills were frequently provided to patients with cancer who were experiencing nausea and vomiting, irrespective of their prognosis. However, nursing supports that require specialized knowledge and skills were rarely used. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these nursing supports.
'Just the ticket': integrating massage and reflexology in practice (Part I)
The purpose of these papers is to describe and discuss the piloting and evaluation of an inpatient complementary therapy service. This was a single site case study without a control group and involving practitioners themselves collecting data, recording reflections on their own practice and engaging in monthly clinical supervision sessions. The service was aimed at providing treatments of hand and foot massage incorporating reflexology techniques for a total of 18 patients. In part 2 of this paper, an evaluation of the project will be presented including the findings of this pilot service from the perspective of both the patients and practitioners, and the analysis of some of the physiological data collected. Part 3 will focus on a subgroup of the patient cohort to illuminate the experience from both patient and practitioner perspective.
Non-pharmacologic approach to pediatric constipation
Functional constipation (FC) is a pervasive problem in pediatrics. Although pharmaceuticals are commonly used for FC, parents and patients show reluctance or find dissatisfaction with available medications at times. Further, patients often have interest in utilizing nutraceutical supplements and botanicals that are available over the counter. This literature review aims to summarize research studies performed on non-pharmacologic approaches to constipation and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these modalities. Overall data on non-pharmacologic treatments for childhood constipation were sparse, and though some studies were available for adult populations, pediatrics studies were generally limited, lacking or flawed. Certain supplements, such as prebiotics, probiotics and fiber, are safe and are without significant side effects. Though fiber supplements such as glucomannan, green banana mass, cocao husk and various fiber blends have emerging evidence in children, evidence for psyllium, cellulose and flaxseed only have supportive studies in adults. Other than senna, studies of botanicals indicate significant safety concerns (in particular with Aloe vera with aloin and Cascara sagrada) and insufficient evidence. For patients with a significant behavioral or anxiety component to their FC and exhibit dyssynergia, mind-body interventions (e.g. diaphragmatic breathing, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, and behavioral modifications) are certainly safe and effective. Finally, movement and manipulative interventions such as abdominal massage, reflexology, acupuncture and transcutaneous nerve stimulation show promise in the field of pediatric constipation, and data is accumulating for efficacy. These modalities require further study to determine mechanisms of action and which populations may benefit the most from these therapies.
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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