Patients Like Reflexology in UK Health Study
97% of Reflexology Participants Interested in More Sessions
Feb 20, 2009
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) conducted a study to explore adding CAM modalities to existing primary care services in Northern Ireland. The study, titled Complementary and Alternative Medicines Pilot Project, was completed May 2008 and looked at acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, reflexology, aromatherapy and massage.
Some of the survey announces that 81% of the patients in the study reported an improvement in their physical health after completing their assigned CAM treatment. Seventy-nine percent of those also reported an improvement in their mental health.
Reflexology’s Influence on the Study
While the overall patient interest to continue with CAM treatments it is interesting to note that Reflexology is reported as the most popular to continue with. The score was 87% for CAM in general but for Reflexology it was 97% of patients who would wish to continue their treatments compared to 81% with other treatments.
Doctors Have a Learning Experience with the CAM Study
All but one of the doctors involved in the study found the project had a positive impact on their practices. Half of the doctors reported they were prescribing less medications and a reduction in their workload when referring out to the CAM therapies. Two of the doctors found a financial savings for their practices during the project.
The general practitioners doing the referring were asked to rate their understanding of the various forms of Complementary and Alternative Medicines profiled. The doctors understood Acupuncture the best and Reflexology the least. This lack of understanding affected the doctors’ abilities to find appropriate referrals. In fact, 42% of the doctors reported having difficulty matching patient illnesses and conditions with an appropriate CAM therapy. The solution? Eight of the twelve doctors reported that a meeting with the CAM practitioners would have been helpful, with informational brochures or leaflets running a close second. However, most of the doctors did report they were more likely to refer a patient with a chronic medical condition than one with an acute medical condition.
Integrating the Complementary and Alternative Medicines into Western Medicine Offices
The report recommends that, due to the significant health outcomes for the participants, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) consider developing a public health information campaign. It is also recommended that the National Health Service, or NHS, include CAM therapies in its funding. This may open a doorway for not only patients in the United Kingdom, but possibly worldwide, to benefit from Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies.
In 2008 a South London school system funded a project for Reflexology for children with behavioral issues. Perhaps this is the beginning of Reflexology’s use for a myriad of health conditions, funded by local government.
Sources:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicines Pilot Project in Northern Ireland conducted by Social & Market Research (SMR)
- Homeopathy and acupuncture backed for NHS funding, by Gareth Iacobucci, Pulse CMP Medica, February 17, 2009
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