[Zone therapy and asthma].
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.
Brygge
Thor
T
H:S Rigshospitalet, allergiklinikken, ortopaedkirurgisk afdeling, Københavns Universitet, Biostatistisk Afdeling og øjenpatologisk Institut. thorbrygge@dadlnet.dk
Heinig
John Hilligsøe
JH
Collins
Philippa
P
Rønborg
Steen Meier
SM
Gehrchen
Poul Martin
PM
Hilden
Jørgen
J
Heegaard
Steffen
S
Poulsen
Lars Kaergaard
LK
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