The acute (immediate) effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers: A randomised study

Kirsty Rollinson; Jenny Jones; Norma Scott; Ian L Megson; Stephen J Leslie

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.11.001

The acute (immediate) effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers: A randomised study

Kirsty Rollinson, Jenny Jones, Norma Scott, Ian L Megson, Stephen J Leslie

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy. The effects of reflexology on the cardiovascular system are not well characterised. Arterial stiffness (compliance) is a marker of vascular health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers.

METHODS: 12 healthy volunteers (1 male; 11 female; mean age 44.8 ± 10.8 yrs) received 10 min of reflexology on each foot in a single-blind randomised study. The main outcome measures were measurements of cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, blood pressure and arterial compliance (augmentation index).

RESULTS: Reflexology had no significant effect on heart rate, blood pressure or augmentation index (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: In healthy volunteers, there were no consistent changes in haemodynamic parameters with a single brief reflexology treatment. Thus from a cardiovascular point of view, reflexology (as delivered) would appear to have a limited (if any) effect on the cardiovascular system.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	16-20
Number of pages	5
Journal	Complementary therapies in clinical practice
Volume	22
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.11.001
Publication status	Published - Feb 2016

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Ian Megson
- Ian.Megsonuhi.acuk
- Environmental Research Institute - Research Associate
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title = "The acute (immediate) effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers: A randomised study",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy. The effects of reflexology on the cardiovascular system are not well characterised. Arterial stiffness (compliance) is a marker of vascular health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers.METHODS: 12 healthy volunteers (1 male; 11 female; mean age 44.8 ± 10.8 yrs) received 10 min of reflexology on each foot in a single-blind randomised study. The main outcome measures were measurements of cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, blood pressure and arterial compliance (augmentation index).RESULTS: Reflexology had no significant effect on heart rate, blood pressure or augmentation index (all p > 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: In healthy volunteers, there were no consistent changes in haemodynamic parameters with a single brief reflexology treatment. Thus from a cardiovascular point of view, reflexology (as delivered) would appear to have a limited (if any) effect on the cardiovascular system.",

author = "Kirsty Rollinson and Jenny Jones and Norma Scott and Megson, {Ian L} and Leslie, {Stephen J}",

year = "2016",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.11.001",

language = "English",

volume = "22",

pages = "16--20",

journal = "Complementary therapies in clinical practice",

issn = "1744-3881",

publisher = "Churchill Livingstone",

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T1 - The acute (immediate) effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers

T2 - A randomised study

AU - Rollinson, Kirsty

AU - Jones, Jenny

AU - Scott, Norma

AU - Megson, Ian L

AU - Leslie, Stephen J

PY - 2016/2

Y1 - 2016/2

N2 - BACKGROUND: Reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy. The effects of reflexology on the cardiovascular system are not well characterised. Arterial stiffness (compliance) is a marker of vascular health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers.METHODS: 12 healthy volunteers (1 male; 11 female; mean age 44.8 ± 10.8 yrs) received 10 min of reflexology on each foot in a single-blind randomised study. The main outcome measures were measurements of cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, blood pressure and arterial compliance (augmentation index).RESULTS: Reflexology had no significant effect on heart rate, blood pressure or augmentation index (all p > 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: In healthy volunteers, there were no consistent changes in haemodynamic parameters with a single brief reflexology treatment. Thus from a cardiovascular point of view, reflexology (as delivered) would appear to have a limited (if any) effect on the cardiovascular system.

AB - BACKGROUND: Reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy. The effects of reflexology on the cardiovascular system are not well characterised. Arterial stiffness (compliance) is a marker of vascular health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers.METHODS: 12 healthy volunteers (1 male; 11 female; mean age 44.8 ± 10.8 yrs) received 10 min of reflexology on each foot in a single-blind randomised study. The main outcome measures were measurements of cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, blood pressure and arterial compliance (augmentation index).RESULTS: Reflexology had no significant effect on heart rate, blood pressure or augmentation index (all p > 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: In healthy volunteers, there were no consistent changes in haemodynamic parameters with a single brief reflexology treatment. Thus from a cardiovascular point of view, reflexology (as delivered) would appear to have a limited (if any) effect on the cardiovascular system.

U2 - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.11.001

DO - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.11.001

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SN - 1744-3881

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SP - 16

EP - 20

JO - Complementary therapies in clinical practice

JF - Complementary therapies in clinical practice

ER -

The acute (immediate) effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers: A randomised study

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