Foot reflexology has proven useful in relieving a variety of problems. Taiwanese research was conducted to monitor the effects of anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in the test subjects. The study was carried out over 26 randomized, controlled trials that included 2,336 patients in total. Of course, the main goal of the research was to greatly improve sleep quality while reducing anxiety and depression among individuals. Additionally, the research was set out to further explain foot reflexology which required a more thorough analysis.
The research was highly critical of pharmacological treatments (unlike foot reflexology). It noted that such methods used to treat depression, anxiety and sleep disorders could result a "high strain on the body". Subsequently, this would lead to more undesirable side effects. It also claimed that foot reflexology does not cause any damaging aftereffects to patients under certain medical conditions. However, the research also saw that every person's body circumstance is unique. Therefore, the outcomes from foot reflexology could differ from one person to another.
Finally, the research concluded that foot reflexology may provide additional relief to adults suffering from depression, anxiety, or sleep disturbance. It claimed this form of therapy could be highly beneficial as a form of complementary therapy. It noted a reasonable improvement in patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and sleep-related problems (Effect of Foot Reflexology Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Quality in Adults: A Meta- Analysis and Metaregression of Randomized Controlled Trials)
The reflexology study noted that fatigue and stress levels in postpartum women declined after foot reflexology was applied to them. Likewise, postpartum depression reduced in the test subjects as well. As per the study, these results were recorded to be significant. Thus, foot reflexology massage was claimed to be an effective nursing intervention which relieved fatigue, stress, and depression for postpartum women (Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 2015).