Can reflexology help control symptoms in cancer patients undergoing treatment?
Following on form last week’s article where I explained that I believe in complementary medicine rather than alternative medicine, I wanted to share some scientific evidence.
Between June 2015 to February 2016 a randomised clinical trail was carried out in the US looking at how effective reflexology was in assisting patients with colorectal cancer who received chemo radiotherapy. 60 patients were split into 3 groups. The first group received massage using classical massage techniques. The second group received reflexology. The final group, the control group, only received hospital standard care. All patients received were provided with the same clinic routine care.
The researchers collectd data using an introductory form and the European Organisation for Research and Treatmend of Cancer quality of life questerionaires (C30 & CR29).
The first group who receive classical massage found it was
- effective in reducing pain levels
- effective in reducing distension incidence
The second group, the reflexology group recived foot reflexology focusing on symptom-oriented reflexes twice a week during a 5-week chmeo radiotherapy treatment schedule. They found it was
- effecitve in reducing pain levels
- effective in reducing fatigue levels
- lower incidence of distension
- lower incidence of urinary frequency
- improved quality of life
In conclusion this randomised control trial of cancer patients on chemo and radiotherapy treatments showed reflexology lowered the impact side-effects of standard care and improved quality of life.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28176423
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