08/17/2026
🔬 NEW REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH | 2026
New research published in Pain Management Nursing has explored the effect of foot reflexology on neuropathic pain in women with Type 2 diabetes.
The randomized controlled trial included 65 women with Type 2 diabetes and neuropathic pain. The intervention group received routine treatment alongside foot reflexology, while the control group received routine treatment alone.
Participants receiving reflexology completed 12 sessions over six weeks.
What did the researchers find?
After the six-week treatment period, the women who received reflexology reported significantly less nerve pain than those receiving routine care alone. The researchers measured pain in three different recognised ways, and all three showed improvement.
The researchers also reported reductions in neuropathic symptoms including burning, tingling, numbness and itching. No intervention-related adverse events were reported.
The authors concluded that foot reflexology may be a valuable complementary addition to routine care for neuropathic pain in people with diabetes.
Research such as this is an important contribution to the growing evidence base for reflexology profession.
📚 Research:
The Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Neuropathic Pain in Women With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Neşe A, Akarsu E, Küçükkaya MS.
Pain Management Nursing, 2026; 27(3):322–330.
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