A pilot study of the effectiveness of reflexology in treating idiopathic constipation in women

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
Sue WoodwardK Louise Barriball

Abstract

Constipation is a common problem in the UK, affecting up to 20% of the population. Reflexologists claim that reflexology can be beneficial in the treatment of constipation. The aim of this exploratory pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of reflexology in treating idiopathic constipation in women and it is the first study of the effectiveness of reflexology for the treatment of women with idiopathic constipation defined according to Rome II criteria. Nineteen female patients referred to a specialist biofeedback service with idiopathic constipation defined by Rome II criteria were recruited. A course of reflexology treatment (weekly for six weeks) was given. Patients' subjective perception of constipation was recorded as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), the Short form 36 (SF36), whole gut transit and the Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ) before and after the intervention. All participants completed the intervention and none were lost to follow-up. Ninety-four percent of participants identified their constipation to be improved to some extent. Ten participants had improved colonic transit times and two patients had normalised colonic transit. Ten patients (53%,...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 9, 2013·Geriatrics & Gerontology International·E Paul Cherniack
Jun 13, 2015·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Xinjun Wang, Jieyun Yin
Aug 10, 2016·Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice·Ebru Gozuyesil, Muruvvet Baser
Feb 16, 2016·Lancet·Fareed IqbalCarolynne J Vaizey
Nov 6, 2012·British Journal of Nursing : BJN·Sue Woodward
Jun 5, 2020·Yonago Acta Medica·Bahar Inkaya, Hilal Tuzer
Oct 3, 2018·Gastroenterology Nursing : the Official Journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates·Kıvan ÇevikCanan Tıkız
Aug 16, 2017·Gastroenterology Nursing : the Official Journal of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates·Yusuke Makino, Myoung-Ae Choe
Oct 9, 2020·British Journal of Community Nursing·Judith Anne Whatley, Sally Kay

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