Abstract:

To explore the effects of foot reflexology massage on anxiety, pain, duration of labor, labor satisfaction, blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate in pregnant women. We systematically searched eight databases for randomized controlled studies on the effects of foot reflexology massage on pregnant women. The inclusion criteria were as follow: participants were pregnant woman; the intervention is foot reflexology or foot massage; the control intervention is placebo, usual care, or no intervention; outcome indicators included pain, anxiety, birth satisfaction, duration of labor, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration; and study type was randomized controlled study. Studies that did not meet the above requirements were excluded. We assessed the quality of the included studies using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, the risk of bias using the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool, and the level of evidence for the outcomes using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation. We used Review Manager 5.3 for data analysis and generated funnel plots to assess publication bias. In addition, sensitivity analysis was used to test the stability of the results. A total of 13 randomized controlled studies with 1189 participants were included in this study. Compared to the control group, foot reflexology massage reduced anxiety and pain in pregnant women, shortened the three stages of labor, and increased birth satisfaction. In addition, it also reduced the pulse rate and respiratory rate of pregnant women, but not for blood pressure. Foot reflexology massage can significantly reduce anxiety and pain, shorten the duration of labor, increase birth satisfaction, and stabilize vital signs in pregnant women. It is a safe and non-invasive form of complementary therapy.

Reference:

Yang JM, Li ZQ, Ye H, Wu YL, Long Y, Zhong YB, Luo Y, Wang MY. Effects of foot reflexology massage on pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Sci Rep. 2024 Jan 10;14(1):1012. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-51107-y. PMID: 38200035; PMCID: PMC10781947.

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38200035/

Abstract:

Aims: To systematically summarize and quantify the effects of foot reflexology on improvements in sleep disturbances.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources: Datasets including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, CINAHL and two Chinese electronic databases (i.e., AiritiLibrary and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were used to search from their inception to 31 January 2019.

Review methods: Studies which were randomized controlled trials that reported changes in sleep disturbances after the intervention among adults over 18 years old and written in the English or Chinese language were included. Two reviewers’ independently assessed the eligibility, extracted data, and conducted a quality assessment. Based on the extracted data, two separate meta-analyses were performed.

Results: Forty-two articles with a total sample of 3,928 participants were included in the systematic review and were eligible for the meta-analysis. The most commonly employed outcome measurement tool was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, followed by the therapeutic effect between the intervention and control groups (as evaluated by participants with sleep problems compared with those without sleep problems in each group after the intervention). Results revealed that foot reflexology resulted in a greater reduction in the sleep quality score compared with the controls (Hedges’ g = -1.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -1.81~-0.94). As for the therapeutic effect, participants in the intervention group were less likely to have sleep problems than those in the control group (pooled odds ratio = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.19 ~ 0.31).

Conclusion: The findings suggested that foot reflexology produced significant improvements in sleep disturbances.

Impact: Foot reflexology is a non-invasive and convenient intervention and regularly receiving foot reflexology can be considered complementary therapy to improve the sleep quality of adults with sleep disturbances. Furthermore, healthcare providers can actively press the solar plexus and heart zones to alleviate sleep disturbances when performing foot reflexology.

Reference:

Huang HC, Chen KH, Kuo SF, Chen IH. Can foot reflexology be a complementary therapy for sleep disturbances? Evidence appraisal through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Adv Nurs. 2021 Apr;77(4):1683-1697. doi: 10.1111/jan.14699. Epub 2020 Dec 8. PMID: 33615535.

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33615535/

Full text only available to purchase.

Abstract:

Operating room nurses often face acute or chronic back and low back pains, shoulder and neck injuries. In recent years, the use of complementary and alternative treatment methods has been increasing due to the fact that pharmacological treatment cannot control the pain in general, and its various side effects and cost. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on low back pain of operating room nurses. This quasiexperimental study was conducted with 38 operating room nurses. The nurses in the experimental group were given a 30-minute reflexology protocol once a week for 4 weeks and their pain levels were assessed again at week 5. The control group nurses did not receive any intervention. Data were collected using a demographic information form and a visual analog scale (VAS). The low back pain of the nurses in the reflexology group decreased significantly at week 5 compared with week 1, whereas the severity of low back pain of the nurses in the control group did not change between weeks 1 and 5. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the mean VAS pain score at week 1. However, the nurses in the reflexology group had significantly lower VAS pain mean scores at week 5 than the control group. In this study, reflexology significantly reduced the pain of nurses who had low back pain. Therefore, reflexology might be useful in controlling low back pain of operating room nurses.

Reference:

Holist Nurs Prac. 2020 Dec 9.

doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000428. Online ahead of print.

Didem Kandemir 1, Ayşegül Abdullayev, Ezgi Seyhan Ak, Gülay Altun Uğraş, Nevin Kanan

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33306494https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33306494

Abstract:

Background:

Patients with cardiovascular diseases usually suffer from hospital anxiety and depression.

Aim:

This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology massage on anxiety and depression in female older adults suffering from acute coronary syndrome.

Participants:

Ninety older women with acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups (n=45 in each group).

Research design:

A randomized controlled trial.

Intervention:

The intervention and control groups received foot reflexology massage and routine care, respectively.

Main outcomes measures:

The levels of anxiety and depression were evaluated using the hospital’s anxiety and depression scale (HADS) before and immediately after foot reflexology massage.

Results:

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.

Conclusions:

Foot reflexology massage is an efficient and safe intervention for alleviating psychological responses among female older adults suffering from acute coronary syndrome during hospitalization.

Reference:

Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2019 Aug 30;12(3):16-21. eCollection 2019 Sep.

Tahereh Bahrami 1, Nahid Rejeh 2, Majideh Heravi-Karimooi 2, Seyed Davood Tadrisi 3, Mojtaba Vaismoradi 4

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31489059/

Abstract:

Background:

Reflexology is commonly used as an adjunct to conventional treatment by patients with respiratory tract infections. The effect of reflexology needs to be tested in a full-scale randomized controlled study. Small early-phase trials can give an indication on whether full-size clinical trials are warranted. The objective of this study is to determine whether the study design is feasible in a full-scale study of reflexology as an add-on to usual care compared to usual care alone in acute rhinosinusitis, and further if there is a statistical indication of an effect of reflexology warranting a full-scale study.

Methods:

20 patients with symptoms compatible with acute rhinosinusitis, and an illness duration of 28 days or less were randomized to additional reflexology treatment along with usual medical care, or usual care alone. The patients scored how much each of 16 sinus-related symptoms bothered them in the past few days on a six-point scale (zero = no problem to five = severe problem). To determine if there is a statistical indication of an effect of reflexology warranting a full-scale study, the separation test was used.

Results:

The methodology was considered feasible and could therefore be applied in a full-scale study of reflexology for acute rhinosinusitis. The mean reduction in symptom score from baseline to day two was 0.95 in the reflexology group and 0.78 in the control group. From baseline to day ten the mean reduction in symptom score was 2.12 in the reflexology group and 1.63 in the control group. A statistical indication of effect in a full-scale study in favor of reflexology was found from baseline to day ten but not from baseline to day two.

Conclusions:

The research methodology in this study could be used in a full-scale study of reflexology in acute sinusitis. The results from the separation test indicates an effect warranting a full-scale study of reflexology regarding effects in acute sinusitis ten days after treatment.

Reference:

Norheim AJ, Fønnebø VM, Lindeland JP, Varpe T, Stub T, Bigset C, Kristoffersen AE. Reflexology for acute rhinosinusitis – Results from a blinded, early-phase comparative trial. Explore (NY). 2023 Jan-Feb;19(1):36-41. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2022.08.002. Epub 2022 Aug 6. PMID: 35961842.

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35961842/

Full text is available to buy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830722001239

Abstract:

Background:

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a set of somatic and psychological symptoms that occur cyclically in the luteal phase of a menstrual cycle. There is no report of final result of reflexology on PMS. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of reflexology on PMS through a systematic review and meta-analysis study.

Method:

The present study was a systematic review and meta-analysis that was conducted by searching in 8 electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest, Scopus, Google Scholar, and SID until December 28, 2018. In this regard, interventional studies, which examined the impact of reflexology on women with premenstrual syndrome, were included. These studies were published during 1993 to 2018. The Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the quality of studies. Meta-analysis was performed by the help of CMA 2 software.

Results:

Nine out of 407 studies finally remained after screening, and quantitative and quantitative analyses were performed on them. The total number of research samples was 475. The mean treatment time with reflexology was 40.55 min per session that was performed in 6 to 10 sessions of treatment in 66.67% of studies. According to the meta-analysis and based on the random effects model, the reflexology could decrease the severity of PMS in the intervention group compared to the control group (SMD = – 2.717, 95% CI: – 3.722 to – 1.712). Meta-regression results indicated that the duration of intervention sessions (β = – 0.1124, 95% CI – 0.142 to – 0.084, p < 0.001) had a significant impact on the severity of PMS. Reflexology could also significantly affect somatic (SMD = – 1.142, 95% CI: – 1.481 to – 0.803) and psychological (SMD = – 1.380, 95% CI: – 2.082 to – 0.677) symptoms arising from PMS.

Conclusion:

In general, results of the present study indicated that the reflexology could relieve PMS symptoms, so that overall scores, somatic and psychological symptoms of PMS decreased by applying the reflexology intervention. Furthermore, an increase in the length of reflexology time in each session increased its efficiency. Reflexology can be used as an effective intervention in a patient care program by nurses and its efficiency can be enhanced by increasing intervention time in each reflexology treatment session.

Reference:

Biopsychosoc Med. 2019 Oct 24;13:25. doi: 10.1186/s13030-019-0165-0. eCollection 2019.

Effects of reflexology on premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Marzieh Hasanpour 1, Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi 1, Habib Shareinia 1

Free PMC article

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31673284/

Abstract:

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of reflexology on reducing dyspnea and fatigue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Design/ Methods:

The study was conducted as a pretest-posttest experimental design. The population of the study consisted of 60 patients (30 in experimental group and 30 in control group). Patient Description Form, Baseline Dyspnea Index (BDI) and Visual Analogue Scale-Fatigue (VAS-F) were used to collect the data.

Results:

The difference between pretest-posttest dyspnea and fatigue mean scores of patients in the experimental group was statistically significant (p < .01). The difference between pretest-posttest dyspnea and fatigue mean scores of patients in the control group was statistically insignificant (p > .05).

Conclusion:

It was determined that the reflexology reduced dyspnea and fatigue in patients with COPD.

Clinical Relevance:

Complementary methods such as reflexology should be used with pharmacological methods to reduce dyspnea and fatigue of COPD patients.

Reference:

Polat H, Ergüney S. The Effect of Reflexology Applied to Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Dyspnea and Fatigue. Rehabil Nurs. 2017 Jan/Feb;42(1):14-21. doi: 10.1002/rnj.266. PMID: 26956942.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26956942

No full paper available on line.

Abstract:

Background: Premenstrual syndrome is a highly prevalent cyclical disorder among women of childbearing age which interferes with daily activities, mood, and quality of life.

Purpose:

To evaluate the effects of a foot reflexology protocol on relieving premenstrual syndrome symptoms in nursing students.

Setting:

Nursing School, São Paulo University, Brazil.

Participants: A convenience sample of 17 nursing students, diagnosed with moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome as assessed by the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST).

Research design:

A pre-post pilot intervention study.

Intervention: The intervention consisted of eight reflexology sessions lasting 30 minutes for eight weeks.

Main outcome measure:

Evaluation of the participants by the PSST applied at the beginning and at the end of the study.

Results:

The participants had an average age of 21.7 (±2.6) years, ranging from 19 to 28 years; all were single, and most were in the third year of the course (58.8%); 75.6% lived with their family; 82.4% do not use contraceptives; 64.7% reported regular menstrual flow with an average duration of 5.1 (±1.1) days, and an average menstrual cycle interval of 29.3 (±4.9) days. The intervention significantly reduced the premenstrual symptoms assessed by the PSST (p<.017) with a pre-post difference of 10.2 points in the overall score, and the items score decreased between 1.2 to 3.4 for difficulty concentrating, insomnia, hypersomnia, feeling overwhelmed, muscle/ joint pain, bloating, weight gain; and between 3.5 to 5.2 to anger/irritability, anxiety/ tension, tearful, depressed mood, decreased interest in daily activities, fatigue, overeating, and breast tenderness. There was a significant decrease regarding the functional impact of premenstrual symptoms domain in the overall score with a pre-post difference of 10.7, and between 1.7 and 3.0 for all of the items (p<.04), except for the item “your home responsibilities”.

Conclusion:

Foot reflexology has shown promising results in reducing premenstrual syndrome symptoms.

Reference:

Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2021 Dec 1;14(4):1-11. doi: 10.3822/ijtmb.v14i4.631. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Effect of Foot Reflexology Protocol on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in Nursing Students: a Pre-Post Pilot Study

Amanda K S Vieira, Marisa T Nagumo, Gisele Kuba, Leonice F S Kurebayashi, Ruth N T Turrini

Free PMC article

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34900066/

Full paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8629353/

Abstract:

Purpose:

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reflexology on fatigue, pain, and sleep quality in lymphoma patients.

Method:

This study was a randomized clinical trial with pre-post design. Seventy-two lymphoma patients admitted in hematology wards affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran in 2018 were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group underwent foot reflexology for five consecutive days. The control group received usual care. The data were collected by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, a numerical pain scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index. Data analysis was done by the SPSS software, version 21 using ANCOVA, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon test.

Results:

At baseline, both intervention and control groups were the same in terms of fatigue, pain, and sleep quality (p > 0.05). However, a significant difference was found between the two groups regarding fatigue, pain, and sleep quality after the intervention (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The results showed that reflexology could reduce fatigue and pain and improve the quality of sleep in patients with lymphoma. Considering the effectiveness of reflexology in lymphoma patients, healthcare workers including nurses are recommended to use this complementary therapy to reduce fatigue and pain and improve sleep quality in lymphoma patients.

Reference:

Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2019 Oct 18;43:101678. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2019.101678. [Epub ahead of print]

The effect of foot reflexology on fatigue, pain and sleep quality in lymphoma patients: A clinical trial.

Rambod M1, Pasyar N2, Shamsadini M3.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31669916

Abstract:

Background: Research on reflexology therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) is limited, and the evaluation is mixed. Our aim is to confirm the efficacy of reflexology therapy for MS.

Methods: The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines were followed. The search strategy was conducted in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Science Citation Index. The quality of the included trials was assessed by the Cochrane Handbook. The main results were summarized and analyzed in RevMan 5.4.

Results: A total of 11 studies were included in the final analysis. There were significant differences [mean difference (MD) -0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.37 to -0.43, heterogeneity I2 = 0%] between the Precision Reflexology and Sham Reflexology groups in visual analogue scale pain. There was a significant difference (MD -1.00, 95% CI -1.42 to -0.58, heterogeneity I2 = 93%) between the Precision Reflexology and Sham Reflexology groups on the fatigue severity scale. There was no difference between the Precision Reflexology and Sham Reflexology groups in physical function (MD 6.88, 95% CI -3.36 to 17.13, heterogeneity I2 = 31%), role disorder due to physical problems (MD 10.20, 95% CI -4.91 to 25.30, heterogeneity I2 = 0%), physical pain (MD 7.68, 95% CI -0.09 to 15.45, heterogeneity I2 = 0%), role disorder due to emotional problems (MD 3.41, 95% CI -11.55 to 18.37, heterogeneity I2 = 0%), energy (MD 3.27, 95% CI -4.32 to 10.87, heterogeneity I2 = 0%), emotional well-being (MD 1.79, 95% CI -4.76 to 8.34, heterogeneity I2 = 0%), social function (MD 5.72, 95% CI -3.48 to 14.91, heterogeneity I2 = 0%), or general health (MD 2.63, 95% CI -4.36 to 9.62, heterogeneity I2 = 0%).

Conclusions: Reflexology therapy can be used as an effective intervention for the pain and fatigue of MS patients while improving the quality of life.

Reference:

Ma X, Yuan Z, Qian B, Guan Y, Wang B. Systematic review and meta-analysis of reflexology for people with multiple sclerosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Feb 3;102(5):e32661. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000032661. PMID: 36749275; PMCID: PMC9902001.

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36749275/

Full paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9902001/

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of reflexology on pain intensity in patients with fibromyalgia, using an experimental repeated-measures design, and a convenience sample of 30 fibromyalgia inpatients. Thirty patients aged 18 to 70 years with fibromyalgia and hospitalized in the algology clinic were taken as a convenience sample. Patients received a total of 12 60-minute sessions of reflexology over a period of 6 consecutive weeks. Reflexology was carried out bilaterally on the hands and feet of patients at the reflex points relating to their pain at a suitable intensity and angle. Subjects had pain scores taken immediately before the intervention (0 minute), and at the 60th minute of the intervention. Data were collected over a 10-month period in 2012. The patients’ mean pain intensity scores were reduced by reflexology, and this decrease improved progressively in the first and sixth weeks of the intervention, indicating a cumulative dose effect. The results of this study implied that the inclusion of reflexology in the routine care of patients with fibromyalgia could provide nurses with an effective practice for reducing pain intensity in these patients.

Reference:

Holist Nurs Pract. 2016 Nov/Dec;30(6):351-359.

Effects of Reflexology on Pain in Patients With Fibromyalgia.

Akin Korhan E1, Uyar M, Eyigör C, Yönt GH, Khorshid L.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27763930

Abstract:

Surgical patients experience both postoperative pain and anxiety, as they try to cope with pain. Despite technological advances, pharmacological methods are inadequate for decreasing postoperative pain and anxiety. Reflexology has been implemented and considered effective in these areas in many countries. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of reflexology on decreasing postoperative pain and anxiety after a hysterectomy. The study was an intervention randomized study. The population of the investigation is all patients who had a hysterectomy between February 2012 and December 2014 in the Istanbul University Obstetrics and Gynecology service. The sample was 100 women chosen after a power analysis (minimum: 74) (experimental: 54, control: 46) within the population of the investigation who agreed to participate in the study. Using a table of random numbers, patients in the sample were divided into groups. Data was collected using the patient information and vital signs form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain and Anxiety Scales, and BRIEF pain inventory. All women in the groups had similar sociodemographic, obstetric, and pain characteristics, past experience of illness, and characteristics related to their hysterectomy. All of the patients in the reflexology group stated that reflexology helped them feel better. The reflexology group compared with the control group had lower than the average VAS pain and VAS and STAI anxiety at all assessment times. Reflexology is effective in reducing anxiety and pain.

Reference:

Avci N, Oskay U. Effect of Reflexology on Decreasing Postoperative Pain and Anxiety After Total Abdominal Hysterectomy. Holist Nurs Pract. 2023 Mar-Apr 01;37(2):78-89. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000570. PMID: 36790422.

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36790422/

Full paper available for purchase: https://journals.lww.com/hnpjournal/Abstract/2023/03000/Effect_of_Reflexology_on_Decreasing_Postoperative.6.aspx