title: A randomised, controlled trial of the psychological effects of reflexology in early breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effects of reflexology on quality of life (QofL) in women with early breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eighty-three women were randomised 6 weeks post-breast surgery to self-initiated support (SIS) (comparator intervention), SIS plus reflexology, or SIS plus scalp massage (control for physical and social contact). Reflexology and massage comprised eight sessions at weekly intervals. The primary end-point was 18 weeks post surgery; the primary outcome measure was the Trial Outcome Index (TOI) of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-B) - breast cancer version. The secondary end-point was 24 weeks post surgery. Secondary outcome measures were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Mood Rating Scale (MRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At primary end-point, massage, but not reflexology, was significantly better than SIS on the TOI. Reflexology and massage were both better than SIS for MRS relaxation. Massage was better than reflexology and SIS for MRS easygoingness. At secondary end-point, reflexology, but not massage, was better than SIS on the TOI and MRS relaxation. There were no significant differences between reflexology or massage. There were no significant between group differences in HADS anxiety and depression. Self-reported use of out of study complementary therapies indicated that this was unlikely to have a significant effect on findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When compared to SIS, reflexology and massage have statistically significant, and, for reflexology, clinically worthwhile, effects on QofL following surgery for early breast carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Rehabilitation, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull, UK. d.m.sharp@hull.ac.uk
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Amulya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chaturvedi
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Upadhyay
authors.forename: Abdel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Julie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bateman
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Braid
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ellwood
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hebblewhite
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hope
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lines
authors.forename: Leslie G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome