A Prospective Cohort Study on the Impact of Reflexology in Patients With Breast Cancer Using the MYCaW Scale

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer treatment and recovery remain physically and psychologically challenging for patients. Reflexology has been studied as a complementary therapy to help relieve patients of the physical and psychological stresses involved with breast cancer. As a result of recent positive evidence, we studied its effects quantitatively from 2015 to 2016.

Patients and methods: Fifty-two patients completed pre- and post-reflexology intervention 'Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing' (MYCaW) questionnaires. Patients were subdivided into breast cancer (BC) and non-breast cancer (NBC) groups. Concerns raised were subdivided in subcategory groups as per MYCaW guidelines and analyzed for improvements in each domain.

Results: Thirty (57.7%) patients in the BC group and 22 (42.3%) patients in the NBC group were analyzed. In the BC group, there was a 46.2% improvement in patients' concerns, and in the NBC group, a 41.4% improvement in concerns were noted. Overall, the symptoms improved by 44.2% (P < .0001). There was an improvement of 43.4% in patient well-being in the BC group, and a 37.8% change in the NBC group, signifying a total improvement in well-being of 41.2%. There was an improvement of 46.4% in the MYCaW scores; 46.4% in the BC group and 42.6% in the NBC group, signifying a combined average improvement of 42.4%. Patients with poor energy level, sleep problems, stress and tension, and hot flushes and sweats experienced the most improvement in their concerns.

Conclusions: Our findings show that reflexology has significantly improved patient-reported outcomes using the MYCaW scale. These findings are encouraging and reflect that increased attention to strategies focusing on improving psychological well-being can help patients in managing their symptoms.

Keywords: Cancer care; Cancer well-being; Complementary medicine; Physiotherapy; Reflexology.