What Does the Research Say about Reflexology? CLICK HERE

Clinical Research
Study 1:“Reflexology: An intervention for Advanced Breast Cancer”
Completed 2010, NCI grant #R01 CA104883-01A1, $3,127,692,
clinicaltrials.gov identifier #, NTC01577420
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3576031/
Basic results:

• Reflexology is safe.

• Reflexology is a specialized therapy; it is not foot massage.

• Significant improvement in dyspnea (shortness of breath) and ability to function in everyday activities such as walking up a flight of stairs or carry a bag of groceries.

 

Study 2:“Home-Based Symptom Management via Reflexology for Breast Cancer patients” 
Completed April, 2018, NCI grant #R01 CA157459-01, approx. $3,000,000.
clinicaltrials.gov identifier #, NTC01582971
Basic Results
The total symptom scores showed significant improvement after reflexology. This total symptom improvement was led by the strength of improvements in fatigue and pain. The list of symptoms below were the ones showing improvement in the total symptom score.

• Pain

• Nausea/vomiting

• Disturbed sleep

• Distress or being upset

• Shortness of breath

• Difficulty remembering things

• Lack of appetite

• Fatigue

• Dry mouth or sore mouth

• Feeling sad

• Numbness and tingling

• Diarrhea/constipation

 

Study 3: “Using SMART Design to Improve Symptom Management Strategies Among Cancer Patients”
NCI grant # R01 CA193706
2015-2020. Cancer Clinics in Michigan, Chicago and Arizona worked with this study. Results available soon-
All three studies were multi-site, longitudinal, randomized clinical trials and funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Principal Investigators-
Gwen Wyatt, PhD, RN, FAAN
Alla Sikorskii, PhD
(Michigan State University, College of Nursing)