Can foot reflexology be a complementary therapy for sleep disturbances? Evidence appraisal through a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Aims To systematically summarize and quantify the effects of foot reflexology on improvements in sleep disturbances. Design Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Data sources Datasets including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, CINAHL and two Chinese electronic databases (i.e., AiritiLibrary and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were used to search from their inception to 31 January 2019. Review methods Studies which were randomized controlled trials that reported changes in sleep disturbances after the intervention among adults over 18 years old and written in the English or Chinese language were included. Two reviewers’ independently assessed the eligibility, extracted data, and conducted a quality assessment. Based on the extracted data, two separate meta‐analyses were performed. Results Forty‐two articles with a total sample of 3,928 participants were included in the systematic review and were eligible for the meta‐analysis. The most commonly employed outcome measurement tool was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, followed by the therapeutic effect between the intervention and control groups (as evaluated by participants with sleep problems compared with those without sleep problems in each group after the intervention). Results revealed that foot reflexology resulted in a greater reduction in the sleep quality score compared with the controls (Hedges’ g = −1.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −1.81~‐0.94). As for the therapeutic effect, participants in the intervention group were less likely to have sleep problems than those in the control group (pooled odds ratio = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.19 ~ 0.31). Conclusion The findings suggested that foot reflexology produced significant improvements in sleep disturbances. Impact Foot reflexology is a non‐invasive and convenient intervention and regularly receiving foot reflexology can be considered complementary therapy to improve the sleep quality of adults with sleep disturbances. Furthermore, healthcare providers can actively press the solar plexus and heart zones to alleviate sleep disturbances when performing foot reflexology.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of the KiSS Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program and Reflexotherapy on Insomnia in Children

“…Receiving a certificate for participation in treatment sessions has also increased the child's motivation toward coping with insomnia and follow the principles of this protocol even after the end of treatment sessions. Therefore, the use of the The researchers concluded that reflexology or foot reflexology massage is effective in the improvement of insomnia in adults and the elderly (23,(37)(38)(39)(40).…”

“…Recently, in a meta-analysis, Huang et al examined the effect of foot reflexology on adult sleep disturbances. The results of the aforementioned study showed that foot reflexology is a noninvasive and convenient intervention to alleviate sleep disturbances and improve the sleep quality of adults (23).…”

The Effects of Foot Reflexology on Vital Signs: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…In recent years, several meta-analyses on foot reflexology have been published [40][41][42][43][44] and showed the technique was an effective complementary therapy for treating functional constipation, relieving fatigue, improving sleep disturbance, and improving glycemic control and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, no meta-analysis has shown the effects of foot reflexology on vital signs.…”

The effects of foot reflexology on pain and physiological indicators in children with leukemia under chemotherapy: a clinical trial study

“…Additionally, it is accompanied by easy acceptance and cooperation between children and parents [ 15 ]. Among these methods, foot reflexology is a type of massage, which is one of the most important complementary therapies used among nurses [ 16 ]. Different studies have shown that reflexology improves the symptoms of appendectomy [ 17 ], and cancer pain [ 18 ], and some physiological symptoms in children [ 19 ].…”