No immediate haemodynamic effect of reflexology in CAD

Citation

Jones J, Thomson P, Lauder W, Howie C & Leslie S (2014) No immediate haemodynamic effect of reflexology in CAD. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 9 (1), pp. 39-45. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjca.2014.9.1.39

Abstract
Reflexology is one of the most popular forms of complementary therapy in the UK and cardiac patients are seeking reflexology treatment. This study measured the immediate haemodynamic effects of reflexology treatment applied to specific areas of the feet (which are thought to correspond to the heart) in patients with coronary artery disease, and compared this with treatment applied to other areas that are not. This study found no acute (immediate) specific changes in any of the haemodynamic parameters measured. While long-term treatment effects are uncertain, the results indicate that reflexology is safe for use by patients with coronary artery disease.

Keywords
reflexology; coronary artery disease; haemodynamic effect; randomised controlled trial; complementary therapy

Journal
British Journal of Cardiac Nursing: Volume 9, Issue 1