Foot reflexology: a sole method of diagnosis?

Objective

Reflexologists believe that diseases of different organs of the body cause tenderness in corresponding areas of the soles of the feet. We undertook a study to determine whether reflexology is a valid diagnostic tool.

Materials and methods

Three reflexologists chose six medical conditions which could be detected most easily and reliably. Eighteen adults with one or two of these conditions were examined by two reflexologists, blinded to the patient’s condition(s). The reflexologists rated the probability of the patient having each of the specified medical conditions in 7 categories ranging from definite to definitely not.

Results

There were 72 opportunities to make a correct positive diagnosis. The reflexologists made a definite diagnosis 9 times. Of these, 3 were correct.

Tests of diagnostic validity using the rating probable as the cut-off point were: sensitivity, 0.14, specificity, 0.85, positive predictive value, 0.38 and negative predictive value 0.61 (where 1 = totally valid and 0 = invalid). Inter-rater reliability (kappa) scores for the 3 pairs of reflexologists were 0.34, 0.25 and 0.20, results which are classified as ‘fair’.

Conclusion

Our results show that diagnosis based solely on reflexology examination is no better than chance.