title: Reflexology has no immediate haemodynamic effect in patients with chronic heart failure: a double blind randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study measured the effects of reflexology in 12 reflexology-naive patients with chronic heart failure in a placebo-controlled, double blind randomised controlled study design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcomes included 'beat-to-beat' non-invasive continuous measurement of cardiovascular parameters and measurement of state of anxiety and pain/discomfort.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no changes in any of the haemodynamic parameters measured (all p > 0.05). Perceived state of anxiety was significantly reduced post treatment in the control group only (p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reflexology applied to the feet of patients with chronic heart failure appears to have no immediate haemodynamic effects. While any long term treatment effect is uncertain, it would appear that reflexology is safe for use in this patient group.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery& Health, University of Stirling, Highland Campus, Old Perth Road, Inverness IV2 3JH, UK. jenny.jones@stir.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lauder
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Howie
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Leslie
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000523:psychology; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D010465:Perception
keywords: Cardiac patients; Chronic heart failure; Complementary therapy; Randomised controlled trial; Reflexology