title: The acute (immediate) effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers: A randomised study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy. The effects of reflexology on the cardiovascular system are not well characterised. Arterial stiffness (compliance) is a marker of vascular health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 healthy volunteers (1 male; 11 female; mean age 44.8 ± 10.8 yrs) received 10 min of reflexology on each foot in a single-blind randomised study. The main outcome measures were measurements of cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, blood pressure and arterial compliance (augmentation index).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reflexology had no significant effect on heart rate, blood pressure or augmentation index (all p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In healthy volunteers, there were no consistent changes in haemodynamic parameters with a single brief reflexology treatment. Thus from a cardiovascular point of view, reflexology (as delivered) would appear to have a limited (if any) effect on the cardiovascular system.
authors: Undergraduate Medical School, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors: Kirsty
authors: K
authors: Rollinson
authors: Faculty of Health Science, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK.
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Jones
authors: Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV32 3UJ, UK.
authors: Norma
authors: N
authors: Scott
authors: Department of Diabetes & Cardiovascular Science, University of the Highlands and Islands, Centre for Health Science, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3JH, UK.
authors: Ian L
authors: IL
authors: Megson
authors: Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV32 3UJ, UK; Department of Diabetes & Cardiovascular Science, University of the Highlands and Islands, Centre for Health Science, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3JH, UK. Electronic address: Stephen.leslie@nhs.net.
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Leslie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Augmentations index; Health volunteers; Reflexology; Vascular health