01/09/2026
🔬 REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH | 2025
A randomized clinical trial has explored the effects of foot reflexology on pain and anxiety in people with leukaemia undergoing bone marrow aspiration.
The study included 68 participants who completed the trial. Those in the reflexology group received one 30-minute foot reflexology session, while the control group received routine care.
What did the researchers find?
Following the intervention, people who received reflexology experienced significantly lower anxiety compared with those receiving routine care alone.
Importantly, pain experienced during and after the bone marrow aspiration procedure was also significantly lower in the reflexology group.
The researchers additionally monitored physiological measures including blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation. While some changes were observed, the clearest findings of the study were the reductions in pain and anxiety.
The authors concluded that foot reflexology may be a valuable non-invasive, supportive approach for helping manage procedural pain and anxiety in people undergoing bone marrow aspiration.
This is particularly interesting for the reflexology profession. Even a single 30-minute session was associated with measurable differences in this clinical setting, adding to the developing evidence around the potential role of reflexology within supportive and integrative healthcare.
While the findings are encouraging, this is one clinical trial in a specific patient population. Further high-quality research is needed to establish how broadly these findings can be applied.
As always, reflexology is a complementary therapy and does not replace appropriate medical treatment or cancer care.
📚 Research:
The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Pain and Anxiety in Patients with Leukaemia Undergoing Bone Marrow Aspiration: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
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