REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH – WORKPLACE

2023

REFLEXOLOGY PRACTITIONERS, MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURY, PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT.

Investigation on Musculoskeletal Injury and Psychological Empowerment of Reflexologists in Taiwan: Analysis of the Recognition to Alternative Therapy. by Ching-Yun Chen, Deng-Chuan Cai. Pub. by Healthcare 2023, 11(3), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030394

This study discovered the following: (1) Reflexology practitioners have musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms in body parts, including the left shoulder (25.4%), left hand or wrist (25.4%), lower back (25.4%), right shoulder (23.7%), left elbow or forearm (22%). (2) Reflexology practitioners are highly psychologically empowered to work. (3) The practitioners of foot therapy hold a positive attitude towards foot therapy and believe that foot therapy is a natural therapy, which is self-serving and can help others. (4) Most reflexologists support the government’s desire to promote the reflexology examination system and are willing to help develop the policy. (5) The height of most reflexologist work chairs does not match the height of the guest’s seat and is not ergonomic.

2022

LOW BACK PAIN, OPERATING ROOM NURSES,

The Effect of Reflexology on Low Back Pain in Operating Room Nurses. By Didem Kandemir  Ayşegül AbdullayevEzgi Seyhan AkGülay Altun UğraşNevin Kanan. Pub. by Holist Nurs Pract. 2022 Mar-Apr 01; 36(2):112-118. PMID: 33306494    DOI: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000428

In this study, reflexology significantly reduced the pain of nurses who had low back pain. Therefore, reflexology might be useful in controlling low back pain of operating room nurses.

2019

ANXIETY, PAIN, FATIGUE, CARE BURDEN SCORE, CANCER, CAREGIVERS

Caregiver-Delivered Foot Reflexology: Effects on Patients and Caregivers. By Sevgin Samancioglu BaglamaErcan Bakir. Holist Nurs Pract. Nov/Dec 2019; 33(6):338-345. PMID: 31609870   DOI: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000351.

Mean pain, anxiety, and fatigue levels significantly decreased for the patients who received foot reflexology from their caregivers for 15 days compared with patients in the control group. The mean care burden score of the caregivers in both groups decreased. Clinicians should teach caregiving practices such as foot reflexology and know that these practices are a positive influence on both patients and caregivers.

BREAST CANCER, WOMEN, WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY

Healthcare service utilization and work-related productivity in reflexology intervention for advanced breast cancer women. By Zhehui LuoLiang WangAlla SikorskiiGwen Wyatt. Pub. by Support Care Cancer, 2019 Aug;27(8):2837-2847. PMID: 30552595 PMCID: PMC6570585 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4592-4

The reflexology intervention delivered by lay caregivers reduced hospital visits and increased workplace productivity in a short-term period, which has potential for cost saving for health care systems and employers.

 

2013

ANXIETY, MOOD, BLOOD PRESSURE, LONG TERM CARE STAFF

The effect of foot massage on long-term care staff working with older people with dementia: a pilot, parallel group, randomized controlled trial. By Wendy MoyleMarie CookeSiobhan T O'DwyerJenny MurfieldAmy JohnstonBilly Sung. BMC Nurs. 2013 Feb 18; 12:5. PMID: 23414448    PMCID: PMC3598869    DOI: 10.1186/1472-6955-12-5.

The pilot demonstrated the foot massage intervention showed trends in improved mood, reduced anxiety and lower blood pressure in long-term care staff working with older people with dementia. A larger study is needed to build on these promising, but preliminary, findings.

 

2008

STRESS, QUALITY OF LIFE, WORKPLACE

Using reflexology to manage stress in the workplace: a preliminary study. By Rhian C AtkinsPhilip Harris. Complement Ther Clin Pract.  2008 Nov; 14(4):280-7. PMID: 18940715    DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2008.05.005

The data suggested some trends towards improvement in perceived health and well-being following reflexology intervention. Improvements varied by participant and across the different measures. Conclusion: This study was limited by the size of the sample and the nature of the design, which cannot demonstrate cause and effect. The trends towards improvement associated with reflexology suggested that further research may be warranted.

 

2007

ANXIETY, CARDIOVASCULAR, SALIVORY CORTISOL, MELATONIN, STRESS

Evaluation of anxiety, salivary cortisol and melatonin secretion following reflexology treatment: a pilot study in healthy individuals. By A J McVicarC R GreenwoodF FewellV D'ArcyS ChandrasekharanL C Alldridge. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2007 Aug;13(3):137-45. PMID: 17631256    DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2006.11.001

Reflexology had a powerful anxiety-reduction effect ('state'; P<0.001) but no significant effect on underlying anxiety ('trait'). Cardiovascular parameters decreased (P<0.001). Baseline salivary cortisol and melatonin were not significantly correlated with self reported anxiety scores and did not change significantly following reflexology. Reflexology reduced 'state' anxiety and cardiovascular activity within healthy individuals, consistent with stress-reduction.

 

2006

COMPUTER MOUSE INJURIES, PAIN, QUALITY OF LIFE

Effects of Reflexology on Computer Mouse Injuries. A Pilot Study. By Daiskov, AM.,  FDZ Forenede Danske Zoneterapeuter, from 2004-2006 .

Results: the active group showed a reduction in pain and improvement in quality of life. The power measurement and computer capability were equal in the active and passive group.