I have recently conducted a small pilot study of the effect of reflexology for people aged 55 and over. My project partner is Dr. Ava Lorenc.

This project was a simple before and after study of clients receiving reflexology during a project in sheltered housing in Brighton. A total of 32 people took part and each completed a MYMOP (measure your own medical outcome profile) to collect data on changes in symptoms (patient-identified), well-being and medication.

Initial findings showed that before and after symptom scores improved significantly – for symptom one from an average of 3.62 to 2.35 (n=26; p<0.001) and for symptom two from an average of 3.46 to 2.08 (n=26; p=0.024). Activity and well-being scores showed a trend towards improving (average scores reduced from 3.44 to 2.75 and from 2.10 to 1.67).

Without a control group the findings may have been influenced by a number of confounding factors so do not prove the causal effect of reflexology. However, the findings are promising and I will continue to collect further data.