Reflexology May Alleviate Pain and Fatigue, Improve QOL in Patients With Cancer

Reflexology for the treatment of pain and fatigue among patients with cancer may be superior to passive control, according to results of a systematic review published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.

Investigators from Jena University Hospital in Germany searched 5 databases in March 2022 for relevant studies evaluating the effectiveness of reflexology in treating pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression and to improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with cancer, compared with passive controls.

A total of 29 studies (N=2,262) were included in the analysis 

Nine of 13 studies assessing effects of reflexology on pain reported at least partial significant effects; 4 studies did not find any effects on pain. One study reported that the effects of reflexology on pain were not long-lasting and significant group differences were no longer observed after 3 or 24 hours. 

Three of 9 studies assessing effects of reflexology on fatigue and 10 of 15 studies evaluating its effects on QOL and physical or social functioning reported significant benefits. According to investigators, however, some of these positive results were mixed; for example, one study reported significant effects of reflexology compared with passive control but not compared with foot massage.

Though 7 of 16 studies assessing effects of reflexology on depression and anxiety reported positive effects, the investigators concluded that the evidence was insufficient to support this claim due to inconsistencies in study methodologies and heterogeneous results.

The investigators concluded, “The current evidence indicates that reflexology is superior to passive control groups for pain, quality of life and fatigue; however, more studies with comparable active control groups are needed.”