REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH – PALLIATIVE CARE
2023
PALLIATIVE CARE, CAREGIVERS
La réflexologie plantaire au service des soignants de soins palliatifs [Foot reflexology for caregivers in palliative care]. By Braud S. Pub. by Rev Infirm. 2023 May;72(291):35-36. French. doi: 10.1016/j.revinf.2023.04.009. Epub 2023 May 8. PMID: 37247986.
A team from the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand shares a very positive experience, unfortunately interrupted by the Covid-19 health crisis.
ANXIETY, PAIN, DISTRESS, SLEEP QUALITY, PALLIATIVE CARE
The effects of foot reflexology on symptoms of discomfort in palliative care: a feasibility study. By Marie Lavarelo Marcolin, Andréa Tarot, Véronique Lombardo, Bruno Pereira, Axelle Van Lander & Virginie Guastella. Pub, by BMC Complement Med Ther. 2023 Feb 28;23(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s12906-023-03873-5. PMID: 36855141; PMCID: PMC9971681.
This study confirms the feasibility of an Foot Reflexology session for patients hospitalized in a Palliative Care Unit. It resulted in a slight improvement in sleep quality. For other discomfort symptoms such as anxiety, pain and distress, foot reflexology yielded a non-significant improvement. Significant results would have needed a larger cohort.
OUTCOMES TO MEASURE, PALLIATIVE CARE
47 Important outcomes to measure in trials of touch-based complementary therapies in palliative care. By Lucy Mitchinson, Bridget Candy, Nuriye Kupeli, Cecilia Vindrola-Padros, Diana Robinson, Jason W Boland and Patrick Stone. Pub. by The Marie Curie Research Conference 2023. 6 Feb. – 10 Feb. 2023 Mental and physical health and wellbeing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2023-MCRC.46.
A Core Outcome Set reflecting the priorities of patients, complementary therapists and academics has been developed to be used in palliative care clinical trials. The final core outcome set comprises: Anxiety, Sleep quality, Overall mental wellbeing, Pain, Muscle relaxation, Mental resilience, Enjoyment and Patient satisfaction.
2020
PAIN, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, QUALITY OF LIFE, PALLIATIVE CARE
Complementary Therapies for Patients with Cancer: Reflexology and Relaxation in Integrative Palliative Care. A Randomized Controlled Comparative Study. By Alexandra Mantoudi, Efi Parpa, Eleni Tsilika, Chrysanthi Batistaki, Maria Nikoloudi, Vassilios Kouloulias, Sotiria Kostopoulou, Antonis Galanos , Kyriaki Mystakidou. J Altern Complement Med. 2020 Sep;26(9):792-798. PMID: 32924560 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2019.0402
Both interventions, relaxation and reflexology, seemed to be effective in decreasing anxiety and depression in patients with cancer. However, reflexology was found to be more effective in improving quality of life (physical component) and to have a greater effect on pain management than relaxation.
ANXIETY, PAIN, QUALITY OF LIFE, PALLIATIVE CARE
The effectiveness of aromatherapy, massage and reflexology in people with palliative care needs: A systematic review. By Bridget Candy, Megan Armstrong, Kate Flemming, Nuriye Kupeli, Patrick Stone, Victoria Vickerstaff, Susie Wilkinson. Palliat Med. 2020 Feb; 34(2):179-194. PMID: 31659939 PMCID: PMC7000853 DOI: 10.1177/0269216319884198
This review identified a relatively large number of trials, but with poor and heterogeneous evidence. New clinical recommendations cannot be made based on current evidence. To help provide more definitive trial findings, it may be useful first to understand more about the best way to measure the effectiveness of these therapies in palliative care.
2020
ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, PAIN, QUALITY OF LIFE, CANCER, PALLIATIVE CARE
Complementary Therapies for Patients with Cancer: Reflexology and Relaxation in Integrative Palliative Care. A Randomized Controlled Comparative Study. By Alexandra Mantoudi, Efi Parpa, Eleni Tsilika, Chrysanthi Batistaki, Maria Nikoloudi, Vassilios Kouloulias, Sotiria Kostopoulou, Antonis Galanos, and Kyriaki Mystakidou. Pub. by The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Volume: 26 Issue 9: September 2020. 794- 800. http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0402
Both interventions, relaxation and reflexology, seemed to be effective in decreasing anxiety and depression in patients with cancer. However, reflexology was found to be more effective in improving QoL (physical component) and to have a greater effect on pain management than relaxation.
PAIN, PALLIATIVE CARE
The effectiveness of aromatherapy, massage and reflexology in people with palliative care needs: A systematic review. By Bridget Candy, Megan Armstrong, Kate Flemming, Nuriye Kupeli, Patrick Stone, Victoria Vickerstaff, and Susie Wilkinson. Pub. by Palliat Med. 2020 Feb; 34(2): 179–194. Published online 2019 Oct 29. doi: 10.1177/0269216319884198. PMCID: PMC7000853. PMID: 31659939.
This review identified a relatively large number of trials, but with poor and heterogeneous evidence. New clinical recommendations cannot be made based on current evidence. To help provide more definitive trial findings, it may be useful first to understand more about the best way to measure the effectiveness of these therapies in palliative care.
2019
PAIN, ANXIETY, QUALITY OF LIFE, PALLIATIVE CARE
The effectiveness of aromatherapy, massage and reflexology in people with palliative care needs: A systematic review. By Candy B, Armstrong M, Flemming K, Kupeli N, Stone P, Vickerstaff V, Wilkinson S. Pub. by Palliat Med. 2020 Feb;34(2):179-194. doi: 10.1177/0269216319884198. Epub 2019 Oct 29. PMID: 31659939; PMCID: PMC7000853.
In comparison with usual care, another therapy or an active control, evidence on the effectiveness of massage and aromatherapy in reducing anxiety, pain and improving quality-of-life was inconclusive. There was some evidence (low quality) that compared to an active control, reflexology reduced pain. Conclusions: This review identified a relatively large number of trials, but with poor and heterogeneous evidence. New clinical recommendations cannot be made based on current evidence. To help provide more definitive trial findings, it may be useful first to understand more about the best way to measure the effectiveness of these therapies in palliative care.
CANCER, PALLIATIVE CARE, QUALITY OF LIFE
Aromatherapy, massage and reflexology: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of the perspectives from people with palliative care needs. By Megan Armstrong, Kate Flemming , Nuriye Kupeli, Patrick Stone,, Susie Wilkinson, Bridget Candy. Palliat Med. 2019 Jul; 33(7):757-769. PMID: 31060455 PMCID: PMC6985994 DOI: 10.1177/0269216319846440.
People with advanced cancer experience benefits from aromatherapy, reflexology and massage including enhanced well-being, respite, and escapism from their disease. Complementary therapy interventions should be developed in consultation with the target population to ensure they are delivered and evaluated, where feasible, as they wish
2004
FATIGUE, CANCER, TERMINALLY ILL
Combined modality treatment of aromatherapy, footsoak, and reflexology relieves fatigue in patients with cancer. By Hiroyuki Kohara, Takako Miyauchi, Yoko Suehiro, Hiroshi Ueoka, Hiroyasu Takeyama, Tatsuya Morita. J Palliat Med.2004 Dec; 7(6):791-6. PMID: 15684846 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2004.7.791
Combined modality treatment consisting of aromatherapy, footsoak, and reflexology appears to be effective for alleviating fatigue in terminally ill cancer patients. To confirm safety and effectiveness of this combined modality treatment, further investigation including randomized treatment assignment is warranted.
2002
CANCER, PALLIATIVE CARE, QUALITY OF LIFE
Reflexology audit: patient satisfaction, impact on quality of life and availability in Scottish hospices. By Mary Milligan, Maureen Fanning, Sheena Hunter, Miriam Tadjali, Elaine Stevens. Int J Palliat Nurs. 2002 Oct; 8(10):489-96. PMID: 12419988 DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2002.8.10.10695
The audit findings suggest that the clients were satisfied with the service received. Respondents noted that their quality of life was improved through a reduction in physical and emotional symptoms. It was found that the provision of reflexology within Scottish hospices varied, with less than half providing this service. The results of this audit suggest that reflexology may be a worthwhile treatment for other cancer patients and requires further research to evaluate the benefits.
ANXIETY, TENSION, QUALITY OF LIFE, PALLIATIVE CARE
Evaluation of a hospice based reflexology service: a qualitative audit of patient perceptions. By Maureen Gambles, Maggie Crooke, Susie Wilkinson. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2002 Mar; 6(1):37-44. PMID: 12849608 DOI: 10.1054/ejon.2001.0157
Patients' comments about the therapy and the service as a whole were overwhelmingly positive. They identified relaxation, relief from tension and anxiety, feelings of comfort and improved well-being as beneficial effects of their course of reflexology.