Reflexology's effect on polycystic ovary syndrome: on-going research

Walker, Dawn-Marie, Smith, T., Shaw, R. and Armstrong, S. (2006) Reflexology's effect on polycystic ovary syndrome: on-going research. [in special issue: Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies] Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 11, supplement 1, 52-52. (doi:10.1111/j.2042-7166.2006.tb04802.x).

Abstract

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has a diversity of symptoms which can be difficult to treat with medication. Thus many patients turn to alternative medicine, including reflexology. However, there is no evidence that reflexology has an effect on PCOS. The proposed study will be the first RCT conducted in this area.

Materials & Methods: Three treatment arms: control group (1) no intervention, control group (2) Indian head massage and the intervention group (3). Groups 2 and 3 will receive 10 weekly treatments of 45 min. Participants will be referred via GPs and gynaecology clinics in Derby and Nottingham. The primary outcome measure will be hormone levels with secondary outcome measures of symptom diaries and Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP). MYMOP and diaries will be recorded for 2 months prior to treatment and for 2 months post-treatment. The hormone levels will be checked before, immediately after and 2 months post-treatment.

Results: his is an ongoing study and therefore there are no results at present. Funding is being sought for a pilot phase. However, data will be analysed in the groups they were randomised to using analyses of variance or the Kruskall–Wallis test.

Conclusion: It is hypothesised that both treatment groups will be significantly different to the control group (1), however, only the intervention group will have significant change in the blood test.

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Contributors

Author: Dawn-Marie Walker

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