title: [Zone therapy and asthma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients with asthma seek alternative or adjunctive therapies. One such modality is reflexology. Our aim was to examine the popular claim that reflexology treatment benefits bronchial asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten weeks of either active or simulated (placebo) reflexology were compared in an otherwise blind, controlled trial of 40 patients with asthma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Objective lung function tests did not change. Subjective scores and bronchial sensitivity to histamine improved on both regimens, but no differences were found in the groups receiving active or placebo reflexology. However, a trend in favour of reflexology became significant when a supplementary analysis of symptom diaries was carried out. At the same time a significant pattern compatible with subconscious un-blinding was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no evidence that reflexology has a specific effect on asthma beyond a placebo influence.
authors.affiliation: H:S Rigshospitalet, allergiklinikken, ortopaedkirurgisk afdeling, Københavns Universitet, Biostatistisk Afdeling og øjenpatologisk Institut. thorbrygge@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Thor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brygge
authors.forename: John Hilligsøe
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Heinig
authors.forename: Philippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Steen Meier
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rønborg
authors.forename: Poul Martin
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gehrchen
authors.forename: Jørgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hilden
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heegaard
authors.forename: Lars Kaergaard
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Poulsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011788:Quality of Life; D014797:Vital Capacity