Ancient foot massage relieves cancer symptoms
Reflexology - a type of specialized foot massage practised since the age of Pharaohs - can help cancer patients manage their symptoms and perform daily tasks, a new study led by a Michigan State University researcher has suggested.
The study is the first large-scale, randomized study of reflexology as a complement to standard cancer treatment, according to lead author Gwen Wyatt, a professor in the College of Nursing.
"It's always been assumed that it's a nice comfort measure, but to this point we really have not, in a rigorous way, documented the benefits. This is the first step toward moving a complementary therapy from fringe care to mainstream care," Wyatt said.
Reflexology, which is widely practised in many parts of the world, is based on the idea that stimulating specific points on the feet can improve the functioning of corresponding organs, glands and other parts of the body.
"Reflexology comes out of the Chinese tradition and out of Egypt. In fact, it's shown in hieroglyphics. It's been around for a very long time," Wyatt said.
The study is the first large-scale, randomized study of reflexology as a complement to standard cancer treatment, according to lead author Gwen Wyatt, a professor in the College of Nursing.
"It's always been assumed that it's a nice comfort measure, but to this point we really have not, in a rigorous way, documented the benefits. This is the first step toward moving a complementary therapy from fringe care to mainstream care," Wyatt said.
Reflexology, which is widely practised in many parts of the world, is based on the idea that stimulating specific points on the feet can improve the functioning of corresponding organs, glands and other parts of the body.
"Reflexology comes out of the Chinese tradition and out of Egypt. In fact, it's shown in hieroglyphics. It's been around for a very long time," Wyatt said.
The study involved 385 women undergoing chemotherapy or hormonal therapy for advanced-stage breast cancer that had spread beyond the breast. The women were assigned randomly to three groups: Some received treatment by a certified reflexologist, others got a foot massage meant to act like a placebo, and the rest had only standard medical treatment and no foot manipulation.
Wyatt and colleagues surveyed participants about their symptoms at intake and then checked in with them after five weeks and 11 weeks.
They found that those in the reflexology group experienced significantly less shortness of breath, a common symptom in breast cancer patients. Perhaps as a result of their improved breathing, they also were better able to perform daily tasks such as climbing a flight of stairs, getting dressed or going grocery shopping.
Wyatt said she was surprised to find that reflexology's effects appeared to be primarily physical, not psychological.
"We didn't get the change we might have expected with the emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression. The most significant changes were documented with the physical symptoms," she said.
Also unexpected was the reduced fatigue reported by those who received the "placebo" foot massage, particularly since the reflexology group did not show similarly significant improvement.
Wyatt is now researching whether massage similar to reflexology performed by cancer patients'friends and family, as opposed to certified reflexologists, might be a simple and inexpensive treatment option.
Wyatt and colleagues surveyed participants about their symptoms at intake and then checked in with them after five weeks and 11 weeks.
They found that those in the reflexology group experienced significantly less shortness of breath, a common symptom in breast cancer patients. Perhaps as a result of their improved breathing, they also were better able to perform daily tasks such as climbing a flight of stairs, getting dressed or going grocery shopping.
Wyatt said she was surprised to find that reflexology's effects appeared to be primarily physical, not psychological.
"We didn't get the change we might have expected with the emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression. The most significant changes were documented with the physical symptoms," she said.
Also unexpected was the reduced fatigue reported by those who received the "placebo" foot massage, particularly since the reflexology group did not show similarly significant improvement.
Wyatt is now researching whether massage similar to reflexology performed by cancer patients'friends and family, as opposed to certified reflexologists, might be a simple and inexpensive treatment option.
Labels: Breast cancer, breathlessness, cancer, foot massage, reflexology
posted by G S Iyer at 1:01 PM
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