The Physiological and Biochemical Outcomes Associated with a Reflexology Treatment: A Systematic Review
Joint Authors
Sinclair, Marlene
Hughes, Ciara
McCullough, J. E. M.
Liddle, S. D.
Close, C.
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-16, 16 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-05-05
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
16
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
Reflexology is one of the top forms of complementary and alternative medicine in the UK and is used for healthcare by a diverse range of people.
However, it is offered by few healthcare providers as little scientific evidence is available explaining how it works or any health benefits it may confer.
The aim of this review was to assess the current evidence available from reflexology randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that have investigated changes in physiological or biochemical outcomes.
Methods.
Guidelines from the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions were followed: the following databases were searched from inception to December 2013: AMED, CAM Quest, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Medline Ovid, Proquest, and Pubmed.
Risk of bias was assessed independently by two members of the review team and overall strength of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation guidelines.
Results.
Seventeen eligible RCTs met all inclusion criteria.
A total of 34 objective outcome measures were analysed.
Although twelve studies showed significant changes within the reflexology group, only three studies investigating blood pressure, cardiac index, and salivary amylase resulted in significant between group changes in favour of reflexology.
The overall quality of the studies was low.
American Psychological Association (APA)
McCullough, J. E. M.& Liddle, S. D.& Sinclair, Marlene& Close, C.& Hughes, Ciara. 2014. The Physiological and Biochemical Outcomes Associated with a Reflexology Treatment: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-16.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1035234
Modern Language Association (MLA)
McCullough, J. E. M.…[et al.]. The Physiological and Biochemical Outcomes Associated with a Reflexology Treatment: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-16.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1035234
American Medical Association (AMA)
McCullough, J. E. M.& Liddle, S. D.& Sinclair, Marlene& Close, C.& Hughes, Ciara. The Physiological and Biochemical Outcomes Associated with a Reflexology Treatment: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-16.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1035234
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1035234