Researchers at Michigan State University are finding that
many women who are receiving chemotherapy while in the late
stages of breast cancer are turning to a complementary therapy
known as reflexology to help them cope.
In a pilot study, researchers from MSU's College of Nursing
tested three different complementary therapies – reflexology,
guided imagery and reminiscence therapy, in which women recall
times in their lives when they've met and overcome challenges.
Of those three, reflexology proved to be the most effective.
"Reflexology is the one people stuck with the most during
the eight-week protocol," said Gwen Wyatt, a professor in MSU's
College of Nursing who headed the project. "It's also the one
that had the most positive outcomes."
Women who are receiving chemotherapy for late-stage breast
cancer face myriad physical and emotional issues. Reflexology
– which is a specialized foot therapy that applies firm pressure
to certain parts of the sole of the foot – helps women adjust
better to their treatment. Reflexology can be used to support
patients through treatment such as chemotherapy or for enhancing
well-being for cancer-free individuals.
"We see things like a decrease in depression and anxiety,
and improvements in spirituality and emotional quality of life,"
Wyatt said. "Overall, they have an improved quality of life."
We don't really have a Western, scientific way of testing
how this works. The mechanism is not clearly understood. But
for us, we just measure the patient's perception of change.
Currently, there are no physiological measures," she said.
Wyatt stressed the reflexology and other similar therapies
are strictly complementary, to be used in conjunction with conventional
health care.
"These supportive measures are intended to create a less stressful
link for the patient to the treatment center," Wyatt said. "Instead
of dreading the next cancer treatment, patients are able to
focus on the comfort measure that will be provided during treatment."
Wyatt and colleagues are now embarking on a more detailed
investigation into the value of reflexology in treating late-stage
breast cancer patients. Using a National Institutes of Health
grant of more than $3 million, they will more closely examine
the benefits of reflexology in a controlled study.
Women will be divided into three groups – one will receive
reflexology for four weeks, one a "placebo" foot massage for
four weeks, and one will serve as a control group. Participants
will be interviewed before the study, immediately after the
four weeks of therapy, and again two months later. This way
the immediate effects can be compared with more long-term benefits.
"Breast cancer can be a very difficult experience and advanced-stage
disease even more so," Wyatt said. "This study will make the
treatment journey more manageable and women may want to continue
it after cancer treatment to maintain a sense of well-being."
- More information on Alternative
and Complementary Medicine
- More articles
on Reflexology
Reference
Source 125
October
7, 2005
