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 57 of 68
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USE IN BRAZILIAN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
The conventional treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is based on drug therapy, but different studies have shown a progressive increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The most used CAM comprises of acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, and herbal medicine, as well as more modern practices, including aromatherapy and reflexology. Data from CAM use in Brazil has previously been scarce and there are no studies among Brazilian patients with IBD. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of, and factors associated with the use of CAM among IBD patients in Brazil, in addition to estimating the satisfaction with CAM use. A cross-sectional study was performed in adult IBD outpatients from two Southeastern Brazilian referral centers, with a total a sample of 227 individuals. A semi-structured questionnaire was used containing CAM products - tea, probiotics, omega 3 or glutamine, homeopathy, and herbal therapy, and factors associated with CAM use and patient satisfaction. We used descriptive statistics, association tests (P<0.05) and logistic regression for statistical analyses. In total, 126 patients with Crohn's disease and 101 with ulcerative colitis were included. The mean age was 41.19±14.49 years and 57.27% were female. The time since diagnosis was 10.58±7.5 years, and most patients were in clinical remission. Twenty-nine patients (12.8%) reported having used CAM for IBD treatment, such as tea (5.29%), probiotics (5.29%), omega-3 or glutamine (1.76%), homeopathy (0.88%), and herbal therapies (0.44%). Despite the low frequency, patients were satisfied (>50%). There was no difference between CAM use in Crohn's disease as compared to ulcerative colitis patients (P=0.1171). The factors associated with the use of CAM were regular or poor quality of life (odds ratio 2.084; 95% confidence interval 1.147-3.786, P=0.0159) and a shorter time since diagnosis (odds ratio 0.956; 95% conf
limited evidenceHealthcare professional views and experiences of complementary and alternative therapies in obstetric practice in North East Scotland: a prospective questionnaire survey
The aim of this study was to investigate the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) therapy by UK healthcare professionals involved in the care of pregnant women, and to identify key predictors of use. A prospective survey. Maternity services in Grampian, North East Scotland. All healthcare professionals (135) involved in the care of pregnant women (midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists). Questionnaire development, piloting, and distribution. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. A response rate of 87% was achieved. A third of respondents (32.5%) had recommended (prescribed, referred, or advised) the use of CAMs to pregnant women. The most frequently recommended CAMs modalities were: vitamins and minerals (excluding folic acid) (55%); massage (53%); homeopathy (50%); acupuncture (32%); yoga (32%); reflexology (26%); aromatherapy (24%); and herbal medicine (21%). Although univariate analysis identified that those who recommended CAMs were significantly more likely to be midwives who had been in post for more than 5 years, had received training in CAMs, were interested in CAMs, and were themselves users of CAMs, the only variable retained in bivariate logistic regression was 'personal use of CAM', with an odds ratio of 8.26 (95% CI 3.09-22.05; P < 0.001). Despite the lack of safety or efficacy data, a wide variety of CAM therapies are recommended to pregnant women by approximately a third of healthcare professionals, with those recommending the use of CAMs being eight times more likely to be personal CAM users.
Knowledge of and attitudes toward complementary and alternative therapies; a national multicentre study of oncology professionals in Norway
This study reports on oncology professionals' knowledge and attitude toward complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), classified according to their primary application as complementary or alternative methods. In June 2002, we conducted a national, multicentre survey of 828 Norwegian oncologists, nurses, clerks and therapeutic radiographers. A response rate of 61% was achieved. Only a few physicians (4%) described their reactions to alternative medicine as positive compared with nurses (33%), therapeutic radiographers (32%) and clerks (55%) (P<0.0001). Females showed a more positive view than males (33% versus 14%, P<0.0001). More participants expressed a positive attitude to complementary versus alternative medicines. Most respondents regarded healing by hand or prayer, homeopathy, and Iscador (mistletoe) as alternative therapies. In contrast, most respondents classified acupuncture, meditation, reflexology, music/art-therapy, aromatherapy and massage as complementary therapies. This survey demonstrates major differences, by gender as well as oncology health profession in views about and the classification of various CAM methods.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine among women with gynecologic cancers
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage by women with gynecologic cancer in an outpatient midwestern university practice. Any patient with a gynecologic cancer seen in the outpatient clinic of the gynecologic oncology division at Washington University over a 3-month period was eligible, excluding those patients with a new cancer diagnosis. Subjects completed a questionnaire anonymously. Two by two comparisons were made using the Fisher exact test and P was considered significant at P < 0.05. Nearly half (49.6%) of 113 respondents had used CAM since being diagnosed with cancer. Characteristics significantly associated with CAM use include annual income greater than $30,000, cancer site of origin other than the cervix, and use of CAM prior to cancer diagnosis. Users with annual incomes greater than $30,000 were significantly more likely to use CAM in the "other" category that included acupuncture, reflexology, and electromagnetic therapy. Fewer than 25% of CAM users received information regarding CAM from a physician, nurse, or practitioner of CAM. Women used CAM in hopes of achieving a wide range of potential benefits including both improved well-being and anti-cancer effects. The most common actual benefit these women perceived was an improvement in psychosocial well-being, including increased hope or optimism. American patients with gynecologic cancer frequently use CAM in addition to standard medical therapy. Oncologists caring for women with gynecologic cancer should initiate a dialogue about usage of CAM, discussing the potential adverse effects of CAM and the patient's therapeutic goals.
The use of complementary and alternative medicine by irish pediatric cancer patients
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the Irish pediatric cancer setting has not previously been established. To investigate the prevalence and predictors of CAM use in this group of patients, an anonymous cross-sectional survey was offered to all carers of patients either on or off treatment for malignancy at a single pediatric cancer center over an 8-week period. Of a total of 220 questionnaires distributed, 98 (43%) were returned. Six were excluded because of inadequate data. A total of 58% of children were male and the mean age was 9 years. The most common cancer diagnosis was leukemia (45%). Fifty-two respondents (57%) said their child had used or was using CAM, and 55% of whom had started since their cancer diagnosis. The most common types of CAM used were vitamins and minerals (18%), reflexology (11%), dietary supplements (11%), faith healers (9%), and energy therapies (9%). The most common reason for CAM use was to improve physical well-being (31%). A total of 65% of CAM users had not told their doctor that they were doing so. Of the 52 CAM users, 30 (58%) were using oral CAM medication. A total of 86% of CAM users reported benefit from the treatment, and no respondent reported side effects.There was no significant relationship between sex, tumor type, age, income, previous treatment, and CAM use. Where parents had a higher level of education, children were more likely to use CAM (P=0.035.) There was a statistically significant relationship between respondents rating of conventional therapy and CAM use (P=0.007). Interestingly, parents who were satisfied with conventional therapy were more likely to use CAM. The high prevalence of CAM use demonstrated in this study and particularly the high use of CAM medication therapies underlines the importance of physicians asking routinely about CAM use in this population.
[Consultations with practitioners of alternative medicine]
More than 2,000 Jewish adults, aged 45-75, in urban areas of Israel were interviewed regarding consultations with practitioners of alternative medicine. 6% (122) of the respondents reported visiting such practitioners in the year prior to the interview. Homeopathy was the most frequent therapy, followed by reflexology, naturopathy, and acupuncture. The most common medical complaint was pain, particularly back pain. The most frequent reason for consulting the practitioner was disappointment with the outcome of conventional treatment. 39% of respondents who visited a practitioner were being treated by a conventional physician at the same time, for the same problem. The medical problems of a large majority had been relieved, but 22% said they were not helped by the practitioner. Women were more likely than men to consult a practitioner. Respondents with secondary or higher education were more likely to visit than those with less education. There were no age or socio-economic differences between users and nonusers. The mean payment for the whole series of treatments was NIS 770 (about $250). Respondents who visited practitioners reported worse health and more pain than nonusers, and were also more likely to have visited their conventional primary care physician in the past month. The findings suggest that nonconventional medicine should be seen as complementary to, rather than in competition with conventional medicine.
General practitioners' assessment of and interest in alternative medicine in Canada
Canadian physicians' opinions about alternative medicine have, as yet, not been assessed. The objectives of this pilot study were to assess general practitioners': (1) desired involvement in alternative medicine; (2) perceived demand for alternative medicine; and (3) beliefs about the efficacy of different alternative approaches. The study design was a cross-sectional survey of 400 randomly selected Alberta and Ontario general practitioners. Of the 384 eligible physicians, 200 (52%) completed the questionnaire. Seventy-three percent of physicians felt that they should have some knowledge about the most important alternative treatments. However, with respect to other issues, physicians desired less involvement with alternative medicine. Sixty-five percent perceived a demand for alternative medicine from their patients, in particular chiropractic. Alternative medicine was perceived to be needed most for musculoskeletal problems and chronic pain or illness. Chiropractic, hypnosis and acupuncture (for chronic pain) were believed to be most efficacious, while homeopathy and reflexology were considered to be least efficacious. Undergraduate, graduate clinical and continuing medical education will need to address alternative treatments in order to provide physicians with up-to-date and relevant information.
Change and stability: use of complementary and alternative medicine in Israel: 1993, 2000 and 2007
Complementary and alternative health care has gained increasing popularity in Western societies in recent years. The objective of the article is to explore cross-sectional variations and temporal changes in the patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) consultations in Israel in 1993, 2000 and 2007. Interviews were conducted with 2003 respondents in 1993, 2505 in 2000, and 752 in 2007, using identical questions. The samples represented the Israeli Jewish urban population aged 45-75 in the respective years. The rate of use of CAM during the previous year increased from 6% in 1993, to 10% in 2000 and reached 12% in 2007. Women and highly educated persons have been significantly and consistently more likely to use CAM. Among the users, homeopathy, acupuncture and reflexology are the main types of CAM used. Lower back pain became the leading problem for which care was sought. A significant proportion of the users continue to use conventional medicine concurrently, and an increasing share was referred to CAM by their physician. Past good experience has become a major reason for CAM use. Between 1993 and 2007, CAM use in the Israeli urban Jewish population aged 45-75 years increased significantly. As in other countries CAM grew from an infant industry and entered the mainstream of health care. The evidence reported here highlights the urgent need for the design of health and social policies aiming to achieve more effective integration between CAM and conventional medicine.
Complementary and Integrated Health Approaches: What Do Veterans Use and Want
Non-pharmacological treatment options for common conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, and depression are being given increased consideration in healthcare, especially given the recent emphasis to address the opioid crisis. One set of non-pharmacological treatment options are evidence-based complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches, such as yoga, acupuncture, and meditation. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the nation's largest healthcare system, has been at the forefront of implementing CIH approaches, given their patients' high prevalence of pain, anxiety, and depression. We aimed to conduct the first national survey of veterans' interest in and use of CIH approaches. Using a large national convenience sample of veterans who regularly use the VHA, we conducted the first national survey of veterans' interest in, frequency of and reasons for use of, and satisfaction with 26 CIH approaches (n = 3346, 37% response rate) in July 2017. In the past year, 52% used any CIH approach, with 44% using massage therapy, 37% using chiropractic, 34% using mindfulness, 24% using other meditation, and 25% using yoga. For nine CIH approaches, pain and stress reduction/relaxation were the two most frequent reasons veterans gave for using them. Overall, 84% said they were interested in trying/learning more about at least one CIH approach, with about half being interested in six individual CIH approaches (e.g., massage therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology, and progressive relaxation). Veterans appeared to be much more likely to use each CIH approach outside the VHA vs. within the VHA. Veterans report relatively high past-year use of CIH approaches and many more report interest in CIH approaches. To address this gap between patients' level of interest in and use of CIH approaches, primary care providers might want to discuss evidence-based CIH options to their patients for relevant health conditions, given most CIH approac
Use of complementary medicine amongst diabetic patients in a public primary care clinic in Ipoh
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.
[Zone therapy of children with nocturnal enuresis]
The purpose of the study was to clarify whether reflexology is a relevant treatment for enuresis nocturna, and to test a research design applicable to controlled experiments with reflexology. An unblinded method was used comparing a treatment group (1) receiving reflexology to a non-treatment group (2) keeping the same record of symptoms. At the start of the study, the volumes of night urine in the two groups were comparable. By the end of the study, there was no significant decrease in the volume of night urine in either of the groups. Two children in the treatment group and one in the non-treatment group became dry during the night in the course of the study. In conclusion, reflexology given as 14 treatment sessions over a period of four months did not result in a significant fall in enuresis nocturna in children aged seven to eleven years old. It must be concluded that the treatment result can not be distinguished from the conditions in the non-treatment group even though the average night diuresis in group one showed a slightly decreasing tendency while morning diuresis increased, in contrast to group two which exhibited a slight increase in night diuresis. As the total diuresis remained constant, this could be interpreted as an increased urinary bladder capacity, but in both cases the changes were far from significant.
Effectiveness of Multi Interventional Package on Selected Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome among Women: A Pilot Study
The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of multi interventional package (MIP) and lifestyle interventions (LI) on physiological parameters of women with metabolic syndrome, to compare the effectiveness of MIP and LI on biochemical parameters of women with metabolic syndrome and to compare the effectiveness of MIP and LI on socio-psychological parameters of women with metabolic syndrome. A quasi experimental nonequivalent control group design with two experimental groups and one control group was used to collect data from 60 self-help group women. Samples were selected by multistage sampling. Reflexology foot massage, dietary modification, moderate intensity exercise and structured education were given to MIP group and dietary modification, moderate intensity exercise and structured education were given to LI group for 12 weeks. Control group received routine care. Demographic and clinical data sheets were used to collect basic information. Knowledge was assessed by a knowledge questionnaire. Physiological (weight, body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure) and biochemical parameters (HDL, triglycerides and FBS) were assessed before and after the intervention. The study found significant change in the physiological and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome as well as knowledge among the MIP group and LI group compared to the control group (p < .001). MIP and LI are effective in controlling the parameters of metabolic syndrome. Hence the guidance may be provided to women with metabolic syndrome for adopting necessary lifestyle changes as well as reflexology foot massage to control the physiological and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome.
preliminary evidence
Q3 JournalDoes 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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