Published Reflexology Research

Anxiety and pain relief

Pain, nausea and relaxation
Results: Reflexology modifies the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea in patients hospitalised with cancer. 87 patients participated receiving a 10-minute reflexology massage.

The results showed treatments producing a significant and immediate effect on the patients' perceptions of pain, nausea and relaxation when measured with a visual analog scale.

The results were so positive that the researchers recommend that further research using larger numbers of patients in controlled clinical trials into the effectiveness of reflexology in alleviating pain, nausea and anxiety in the management of these symptoms by the family at home is warranted.

(Foot Massage: A nursing intervention to modify the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea in patients hospitalized with cancer," Grealish, L. Lomasney, A., Whiteman, B., Cancer Nurse 2000, June;23(3):237-43 (On-line review: "Reflexology Used for Cancer Patients," Internet Health Library, October 11, 2000)

Cancer (Quality of life)
Results: 100% of the reflexology group benefited from an improvement in quality of life: appearance, appetite, breathing, communication (doctors), communication (family), communication (nurses), concentration, constipation, diarrhoea, fear of future, isolation, micturition, mobility, mood, nausea, pain, sleep and tiredness.

An improvement in all components of the quality of life scale was reported in the reflexology group compared to 67. 5 in the placebo group.

This study suggests that the provision of reflexology for palliative patients within the general setting could be beneficial. Not only did the patients in this study enjoy the intervention, they were also 'relaxed,' comforted' and achieved relief from some of their symptoms.

(Hodgson, H. "Does reflexology impact on cancer patients' quality of life?," Nursing Standard, 14, 31, p. 33-38)

Cancer (Anxiety and pain)
Results: Foot reflexology alleviated anxiety and pain for 23 patients with breast and lung cancer. Researchers noted a significant decrease in anxiety for patients diagnosed with breast or lung cancer and a significant decrease in pain for patients with breast cancer.

"This has important implications for nursing practice as both professionals and lay people can be taught reflexology. Reflexology is a simple technique for human touch which can be performed anywhere, requires no special equipment, is non-invasive and does not interfere with patients' privacy."

(Stephenson, N. L., Weinrich, S. P. and Tavakoli, A. S., "The effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and pain in patients with breast and lung cancer," OncolNursForum 2000, Jan.-Feb.;27(1):67-72)