A randomized, controlled trial of the psychological effects of reflexology in early breast cancer show reflexology improves quality of life for breast-cancer survivors.
Reflexology is a system that involves pressure on specific points on the feet, hands and ears, although the feet are addressed primarily.
For this study, 183 women were randomized at six weeks post-breast surgery to self-initiated support (SIS), SIS plus reflexology, or SIS plus scalp massage. Reflexology and massage comprised eight sessions at weekly intervals, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov.
When compared to SIS, reflexology and massage had statistically significant, and, for reflexology, clinically worthwhile, effects on quality of life following surgery for early breast carcinoma, the researchers noted.
The study is running in the Nov. 9 issue of the European Journal of Cancer.
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