Foot reflexology and multiple sclerosis-related fatigue: what the research says

Could reflexology help with the overwhelming fatigue experienced by people with multiple sclerosis (MS)? A recent review published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine (2025) suggests it may play a role in managing this challenging symptom.

What is MS-related fatigue?

Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom for people with MS, often affecting daily activities and overall quality of life. While reflexology is increasingly used for fatigue management, its specific impact on MS-related fatigue has been less clear.

What does the review show?

The review examined seven studies involving 434 participants, including six randomised controlled trials and one quasi-experimental study.

Six studies reported that foot reflexology significantly reduced MS-related fatigue. And one study showed a reduction in fatigue, but the results were not statistically significant.

What this means

The findings suggest that foot reflexology may be beneficial in managing MS-related fatigue. However, the researchers highlight the need for further high-quality studies with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodologies to confirm these effects.

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