Reflexology modifies the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea in patients hospitalized with cancer.

Study
87 patients participated in the study and each received a 10-minute reflexology foot massage (5 minutes per foot).

Outcome
The results revealed that the treatments produced a significant and immediate effect on the patients' perceptions of pain, nausea and relaxation when measured with a visual analog scale.

Recommendation
The use of reflexology as a complementary method is recommended as a relatively simpler nursing intervention for patients experiencing nausea or pain related to the cancer experience.

Further research
The results were so positive that the researchers recommend that further research using larger numbers of patients in controlled clinical trials into its effectiveness of reflexology in alleviating pain, nausea and anxiety in the management of these symptoms by the family at home is warranted."

Grealish, L. Lomasney, A., Whiteman, B., "Foot Massage: A nursing intervention to modify the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea in patients hospitalized with cancer," Cancer Nurse 2000, June;23(3):237-43