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Reflexology: A randomised controlled trial investigating the effects on beta-endorphin, cortisol and pregnancy

Julie E M McCullough1, Sarah Dianne Liddle1, Ciara Close2

  • 1Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland BT37 0QB, United Kingdom.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
|April 30, 2018
PubMed

Reflexology is used for various pregnancy related complaints. A three-armed, pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted to test changes in physiological and biochemical stress parameters. Ninety primiparous volunteers experiencing low back and/or pelvic girdle pain (LBPGP) were recruited to receive either six reflexology or footbath treatments or usual care. Primary outcome data included pain intensity and frequency measured on a visual analog scale (VAS), and salivary beta-endorphin and cortisol levels. 61 (68%) women completed the intervention. A clinically important reduction of 1.63 cm occurred for VAS pain frequency following reflexology. Beta-endorphin levels increased by 8.8% and 10.10% in the footbath and usual care groups respectively and decreased by 15.18% for the reflexology group. Cortisol increased by 31.78% for footbath participants, 31.42% in usual care and 18.82% in the reflexology group. Reflexology during pregnancy may help reduce LBPGP, and associated stress. However, antenatal reflexology is under researched and requires further investigation.

Keywords:
Beta-endorphinCortisolLow back painPelvic girdle painPregnancyReflexology

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