Did you know a single reflexology session can help those with cancer?

For cancer patients receiving chemotherapy:

• A single 30 minute hand reflexology session resulted in lower levels of nausea, retching and vomiting for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
• A single session of reflexology reduced the anxiety of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy— 7.9 points on the state-anxiety scale compared to 0.8 in the control group.
• A single session of reflexology made significant changes in vital signs, general fatigue, mood and foot fatigue for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

For hospitalized cancer patients:

One reflexology session lessened the pain, nausea, stress, anxiety and depression as well as increased feelings of well-being and peacefulness for hospitalized cancer care patients.

• Hospitalized breast cancer, lung cancer, or Hodgkin lymphoma cancer patients experienced a significant and immediate effect on perceptions of pain, nausea and relaxation following a 10 to 15 minute reflexology session.
• Hospitalized breast and lung cancer patients who received a 30-minute session experienced significantly less anxiety with the breast cancer patients showing a significant decrease in pain.

For cancer care patients:

A 30-minute partner-delivered reflexology session provided to metastic cancer patients demonstrated a significant decrease in pain intensity (37%) and anxiety (62%). (20) 

• One 30-minute reflexology session significantly decreased anxiety for breast and lung cancer patients receiving cancer care as well as pain for breast cancer patients. (21)

For cancer patients post-surgically:

A 30-minute reflexology session following surgery reduced pain and anxiety for mastectomy patients. (6) 

For palliative care cancer patients:

• A 40-minute reflexology session was perceived to benefit quality of life by 100% of palliative patients. (4)