A pilot randomised controlled trial exploring the effects of antenatal reflexology on labour outcomes

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

“…This complex intervention investigated quantitative physiological and biochemical outcomes. Close et al [33,[37][38] and McCullough et al [39] have reported elsewhere on findings relating to the feasibility of the study, recruitment and retention, and additional data including patient reported pain and disability and labour outcomes. However, the small sample size was insufficient to demonstrate statistically significant differences between groups or the true effect of reflexology versus a sham treatment and, therefore, a larger study is warranted.…”

“…Using computer generated block randomisation and sealed opaque envelopes, all eligible participants (Table 1) were randomised into one of three arms of the study; reflexology (intervention), footbath (sham treatment), to control for the patienttherapist interaction, and usual ante-natal care (control group). This study has been reported elsewhere including additional study outcome data, including feasibility, recruitment and retention, and details of the reflexology and footbath procedures [37][38][39].…”

Consejo Breve y Reflexología Facial para Reducir el Estrés y el Consumo de Alcohol: Un Estudio de Caso

“…En relación al estrés percibido, se identificó una reducción en la puntuación del cuestionario PSS, además el propio participante manifestó tener un mayor control de las situaciones estresantes, lo cual se traduce en no requerir consumir alcohol para sentirse relajado después de un día pesado de trabajo, no consumir alcohol tras una discusión con su esposa, una mayor sensación de bienestar físico y la abstinencia de alcohol al finalizar el tratamiento. Esto es congruente con lo reportado por algunas revisiones sistemáticas en las que se evalúa el efecto de la reflexología en personas adultas sanas y con diversos problemas de salud, en las que se observó una reducción del estrés y un aumento del bienestar general (Embong et al, 2015;McCullough et al, 2014;Song et al,2015).…”

Factors associated with spontaneous vaginal birth in nulliparous women at term: a systematic review

“…Complimentary therapies have been purported to effect of birth. One pilot study (not powered to detect differences), ascertained whether re exology for persistent back and pelvic girdle pain effected mode of birth 42 . They reported no signi cant difference (p = 0.716) in mode of birth between the re exology, sham (foot bath) or standard care groups 42 .…”