REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH - LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
2024
FATIGUE, CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA
Comparing the impact of acupressure and reflexology on fatigue in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients: A randomized controlled trial with three arms. By Naser Parizad, Amireh Hassanpour, Rasoul Goli, Hamidreza Khalkhali, Aysan Nozad. Pub. by European Journal of Oncology Nursing, Volume 70, June 2024, 102573 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102573
Acupressure and reflexology are recommended as cost-effective and low risk complementary approaches for managing fatigue in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. These therapies offer promise in alleviating fatigue and enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients.
2023
FOOT MASSAGE, CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, EDEMA, SLEEP
The Effect of Foot Massage Applied to Patients With Congestive Heart Failure on Peripheral Edema and Sleep Quality: A Randomized Controlled Study. By Gürcan Solmaz. Pub. by Holist Nurs Pract. 2023 May-Jun;37(3):143-152. PMID: 37070839 DOI: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000581
Statistically significant improvements were found in peripheral edema and sleep quality levels of the intervention group compared with the control group, starting from the fourth session of the foot massage application (P < .001).
2020
BREAST CANCER RELATED LYMPHOEDEMA, THERMAL IMAGING
Using thermal imaging to measure changes in breast cancer-related lymphoedema during reflexology. By Judith Anne Whatley, Sally Kay. Br J Community Nurs.2020 Oct 1; 25(Sup10):S6-S11. PMID: 33030372 DOI: 10.12968/bjcn.2020.25.Sup10.S6
Thus, thermal imaging may be useful in tracking temperature change during treatment for breast cancer-related lymphoedema.
PREGNANCY, EDEMA, WOMEN
Comparing the Effect of Foot Massage with Grape Seed Oil and Sweet Almond Oil on Physiological Leg Edema in Primigravidae: A Randomized Clinical Trial. By Maryam Navaee, Marzieh Rakhshkhorshid. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Jan 13; 2020:6835814. PMID: 32419817 PMCID: PMC7201824 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6835814.
The findings of this study confirmed the effectiveness of foot massage using grape seed and sweet almond oils to reduce pregnancy physiological edema. Therefore, foot massage with appropriate oils, can be used as a useful technique by trained midwives in prenatal care centres or at pregnant women houses.
2018
BREAST CANCER, PAIN, MOBILITY, LYMPHOEDEMA, WOMEN
Experiences of breast cancer related lymphoedema and the use of reflexology for managing swelling: A qualitative study. By Judith Whatley, Rachael Street, Sally Kay. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 Aug; 32:123-129. PMID: 30057039 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.006
The main conclusion from this qualitative evaluation was that participants perceived benefit on physical and psychological levels. Participation in the study appeared to help re-engagement with normal life. Further research is needed to quantify the changes in these parameters.
LYMPHEDEMA,
Reflexology and Lymphedema - A Case Study. By Roberta Cirocco, ARNP, LMT Certified Hand & Foot Reflexologist. Pub. by the Academy of Ancient Reflexology. Feb. 2018 www.academyofancientreflexology.com
The case study offers a hint at the potential of reflexology application of lymphedema. While the response in this study was small, it indicated that even in a late stage, there can be a positive response. While it is speculative to state that reflexology would be a powerful adjunct to the current manual therapies now in use, the hint is there. More research is needed to demonstrate reflexology’s application and the results at various stages of this progressive disorder.
2016
LYMPHOEDEMA, BREAST CANCER PATIENTS, WOMEN
Use of reflexology in managing secondary lymphoedema for patients affected by treatments for breast cancer: A feasibility study. By Judith Whatley, Rachael Street, Sally Kay, Philip E Harris. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016 May; 23:1-8. PMID: 27157950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.01.002
Reflexology lymphatic drainage may be a useful intervention for breast cancer related lymphoedema although the results could not be attributed to the reflexology intervention because of research design limitations. The main conclusion was, however, that there was sufficient evidence for further research using a randomized controlled trial.
2015
PREGNANCY, VARICOSE VEINS, LEG OEDEMA, WOMEN
Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy. By Rebecca M D Smyth, Nasreen Aflaifel, Anthony A Bamigboye. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Oct 19; 2015(10):CD001066.
Reflexology or water immersion appears to help improve symptoms for women with leg oedema, but again this is based on two small studies (43 and 32 women, respectively).
LOWER EXTREMITY LYMPHEDEMA, HAND REFLEXOLOGY
Hand Reflexology’s Effects on Lower Extremity Lymphedema -A Case Study. By Danielle Gilmore. Florida-licensed massage therapist MA78447 Certified Hand & Foot Reflexologist. Pub. by the Academy of Ancient Reflexology.
Hand reflexology did help my subject with symptoms from lymphedema in the lower extremities and helped her to engage more in the activities of her daily life. Although one case study is not enough research to claim that all people suffering with lymphedema would benefit from reflexology, further study would seem warranted
2012
PAIN, EDEMA, ANXIETY, HAND REFLEXOLOGY
The Effects of Hand Reflexology and Hydrotherapy on De Quervain's Tenosynovitis - A Case Study. By Terri Bishop-Brahen, RN, LMT, certified reflexologist, certified lymphatic drainage therapist. Pub. by the Academy of Ancient Reflexology. www.academyofancientreflexology.com
This particular subject responded well to hand reflexology. Reflexology is a complementary bodywork method producing an improvement in the inflammatory symptoms of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Reflexology supported the subject while decreasing and discontinuing prescription medications used for the inflammation and anxiety. Improvement in the physical, emotional and mental status of the subject while reestablishing her career gives credence to the effectiveness of reflexology. A future study may be considered for larger numbers of subjects experiencing progressive symptoms of inflammation.
BREAST CANCER, LYMPHOEDEMA, WOMEN
Reflexology for the management of secondary lymphoedema in patients affected by treatment for breast cancer: An exploratory study. By Sally Kay, Judith Whatley, Philip Harris. Pub. by European Journal of Integrative Medicine 4(3):e359–e360. Sept. 2012. DOI:10.1016/j.eujim.2012.06.016
No abstract available.
2010
PREGNANCY, OEDEMA, FOOT MASSAGE, WOMEN
Effect of foot massage to decrease physiological lower leg oedema in late pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial in Turkey. By Ayden Coban, Ahsen Sirin. Int J Nurs Pract. 2010 Oct; 16(5):454-60. PMID: 20854342 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2010.01869.x
The results obtained from our research show that foot massage was found to have a positive effect on decreasing normal physiological lower leg oedema in late pregnancy.
2007
BODY WEIGHT, EDEMA, SERUM LIPIDS, POSTPARTUM WOMEN
Effects of Foot-Reflexology Massage on Body Weight, Lower Extremity Edema and Serum Lipids in Postpartum Women. By Park, Shim-Hoon. Pub. by Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing Volume 13 Issue 2 Pages. 105-114 2007.
There was a statistically significant decrease in levels of TG in blood serum in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Foot reflexology massage is a useful nursing intervention that decreases serum lipids level in postpartum women. Therefore foot reflexology massage is recommended as a nursing intervention strategy for serum lipids reduction in postpartum women.
LEG OEDEMA, PREGNANCY, VARICOSE VEINS, WOMEN
Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy. By A. A. Bamigboye, R Smyth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24; (1):CD001066 PMID: 17253454 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001066.pub2
Reflexology appears to help improve symptoms for women with leg oedema, but again this is based on one small study (43 women).
2003
PREGNANCY, OEDEMA, WELLBEING, WOMEN
Single-blind trial addressing the differential effects of two reflexology techniques versus rest, on ankle and foot oedema in late pregnancy. By L Mollart. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 2003 Nov; 9(4):203-8. PMID: 14556770 DOI: 10.1016/S1353-6117(03)00054-4.
A 'perceived wellbeing' score revealed the reflexology lymphatic technique group (p<0.0001) significantly increased their wellbeing the most, followed closely by relaxing techniques (p<0.001) and then the control rest group (p<0.03).Lymphatic reflexology techniques, relaxing reflexology techniques and a period of rest had a non-significant oedema-relieving effect. From the women's viewpoint, lymphatic reflexology was the preferred therapy with significant increase in symptom relief.
1998
BLOOD, PAIN, FATIGUE, EDEMA, HYPERTENSION, URIC ACID, KIDNEY DISEASE
Hyperuricemia Treated with Foot Reflexotherapy - Clinical Research of 21 Cases. By Zhong, Z., Ding, W., Qiu, S., Lu, Y., Ye, J., Zhang, Z., and Xie, Q., 1998 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing : China Reflexology Association, pages 89-91.
Foot reflexology was found to be effective for the relief of hyperuricemia blood uric acid.