title: Health-related quality-of-life outcomes: a reflexology trial with patients with advanced-stage breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of reflexology, a complementary therapy that applies pressure to specific areas of the feet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal, randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen community-based medical oncology clinics across the midwestern United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 385 predominantly Caucasian women with advanced-stage breast cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following the baseline interview, women were randomized into three primary groups: reflexology (n = 95), lay foot manipulation (LFM) (n = 95), or conventional care (n = 96). Two preliminary reflexology (n = 51) and LFM (n = 48) test groups were used to establish the protocols. Participants were interviewed again postintervention at study weeks 5 and 11.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breast cancer-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL), physical functioning, and symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No adverse events were reported. A longitudinal comparison revealed significant improvements in physical functioning for the reflexology group compared to the control group (p = 0.04). Severity of dyspnea was reduced in the reflexology group compared to the control group (p < 0.01) and the LFM group (p = 0.02). No differences were found on breast cancer-specific HRQOL, depressive symptomatology, state anxiety, pain, and nausea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reflexology may be added to existing evidence-based supportive care to improve HRQOL for patients with advanced-stage breast cancer during chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reflexology can be recommended for safety and usefulness in relieving dyspnea and enhancing functional status among women with advanced-stage breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. gwyatt@msu.edu
authors.forename: Gwen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wyatt
authors.forename: Alla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sikorskii
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rahbar
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Victorson
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: You
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome