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 WhatleySally 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 NavaeeMarzieh 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 WhatleyRachael StreetSally 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 WhatleyRachael StreetSally 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 SmythNasreen AflaifelAnthony 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. BamigboyeR 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.