Effect of Reflexology on Menopausal Problems and Quality of Life: A Scoping Review

Background: Menopause is a natural life stage marked by hormonal shifts that often affect women's well-being. Reflexology, a safe and non-pharmacological therapy, may help support wellness during this transition. Objective: To present an overview of the literature on the effect of reflexology on menopausal problems and quality of life. Methods: The review followed the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) scoping review framework. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE), SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Web of Science using combinations of terms related to perimenopause/menopause, women, reflexology (zone therapy, foot/palm massage), and outcomes such as sleep, fatigue, stress, vasomotor and perimenopausal symptoms, depression, physiological parameters, and health-related quality of life. Article screening and reporting adhered to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results: Based on the inclusion criteria adopted, 11 articles were included in the scoping review. Among them, three explored the impact of reflexology on menopausal symptoms, two assessed its effectiveness in reducing depression, and another two investigated its influence on both menopausal symptoms and quality of life. One study evaluated its effect on menopausal symptoms and cortisol levels, one examined the outcomes related to sleep quality and fatigue, another focused on sleep, and one investigated quality of life. Of these studies, six were randomized controlled trials, three employed a quasi-experimental design, and two utilized a pre- and post-test control group design. Conclusion: Research on reflexology among menopausal women shows promising benefits, including reductions in menopausal symptoms, fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbances, and improvement in the overall quality of life. Further rigorous and controlled research is necessary to support the evidence before reflexology can be endorsed as a routine clinical approach for managing menopausal symptoms and enhancing women's quality of life. keywords: menopausal symptoms, depression, fatigue, sleep, quality of life, scoping review.