Reflexology and bronchial asthma

Many asthma patients seek alternative or adjunctive therapies. One such mod ality is reflexology, whereby finger pressure is applied to certain parts o f the body. The aim of the study was to examine the popular claim that refl exology treatment benefits bronchial asthma. Ten weeks of active or simulat ed (placebo) reflexology given by an experienced reflexologist, were compar ed in an otherwise blind, controlled trial of 20+20 outpatients with asthma . Objective lung function tests (peak flow morning and evening. and weekly sp irometry at the clinic) did nor change. Subjective scores (describing sympt oms. beta (2)-inhalations and quality of life) and also bronchial sensitivi ty to histamine improved on both regimens, but no differences were found be tween groups receiving active or placebo reflexology. However, a trend in f avour of reflexology became significant when a supplementary analysis of sy mptom diaries was carried out. It was accompanied by a significant pattern compatible with subconscious unblinding, in that patients tended to guess w hich treatment they had been receiving. No evidence was found that reflexology has a specific effect on asthma beyo nd placebo influence.