Scottish Institute of Reflexology

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

The effects of reflexology

on foot pain and quality of life i

n a patient with rheumatoid arthritis:

a case report.

Khan S, Otter S, Springett K

The Foot: International Journal of Clinical Foot Science. 

16(2):112-6, 2006 Jun. 2006

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to identify what effect reflexology has on foot pain and quality of life (QoL) in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using an observational case report, a 6-week course of reflexology treatments were given to a patient who has RA. Perceived pain and QoL were assessed using two validated outcome measures: the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL) questionnaire and the Foot Pain Disability Questionnaire (FPDQ). The RAQoL scores demonstrated no significant change throughout the duration of the investigation, suggesting that the patient's QoL did not change during or at the end of the 6-week course of reflexology. Scores from the FPDQ indicated reflexology was associated with a reduction in foot pain described by the subject. The clinical implications are that reflexology may be a valuable addition in the management of foot pain for participants with RA. However, it is impossible to generalize from an observational case report and further work is recommended.