Pilot Study:

Has reflexology effect on

women suffering from
PCO/PCOS?
Polycystic Ovaries/ Polycystic
Ovary Syndrome
 Reflexology and PCO/PCOS
Carried out by:
 The Triangle Fertility Clinic Jørgen Grinsted,
Gynaecologist, MD DM Sci.

&

 FDZ – Forenede Danske Zoneterapeuter

Lone Victoria Schumann, Project Manager,
Reflexologist
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS
 Background

 PCO & PCOS

 Methods

 Results

 Conclusion & Perspectives

 Reflexology and PCO/PCOS
Background: From dream to reality
 Application: 135.000 €
(RCT of 50 women with irregular periods) Year 2002
 Donation: 13.500 €
The Knowledge & Research Center for Alternative
Medicine (Danish Ministry of Health)
(Purpose: A pre-study due to lack of research in reflexology)

 Donation: 4.000 €
Danielsen & Wife´s Foundation (Statistics and report)
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Normal Ovary
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Polycystic Ovary
At this stage the small follicles produce a larger amount
of testosterone than normal.
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Definition of PCO: 12 follicles in one or

two ovaries

Incidence: 20-25 % women in the

fertile age!
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Definition of PCOS:
2 out of 3 following criteria:
 Polycystic ovaries
 Irregular ovulation or no ovulation
 Clinical and/or biochemical signs of
hyperadrogemia

Incidence: Every 7th woman in the

fertile age
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Symptoms of PCOS:
 Irregular periods, lack of periods
 Irregular ovulation or no ovulation
 Reduced fertility
 Recurrent miscarriages
 Acne
 Unwanted facial or body hair
 Insulin resistance (worsens PCOS)
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Long term symptoms of PCOS:

 Rapid weight gain
 Obesity
 Type 2 diabetes
 Heart disease

Reference: 2003 Rotterdam PCOS Consensus Conference. (Fertil

Seril 2004)
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS
Methods:
Data:8 women with PCOS and long periods (33-
90days) Standard weight (BMI 20-25)
Intervention: Reflexology 19 treatments - 6
months
 45 minutes “hands on” treatment
 25 minutes of the treatment were fixed
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Time Treatments In total

Week 1-10 10 10 weeks
Week 11-18 6 8 weeks
Week 19-24 3 6 weeks
In total 24 weeks
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS
In order to prevent any impact on insulin resistance, which
changes in lifestyle might cause – the patients were not allowed
to make changes in their lifestyle in terms of:
– Exercise
– Weight changes
– Diet
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Furthermore the following was not

allowed:
 Herbal medicine
 Medical treatment
 Complementary treatment (other than
reflexology)
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Flowchart
 Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Outcome Measures:
 Bleeding pattern (Menstrual diary)
 Number of Follicles (Ultrasound scans)
 Hormone values (Blood test analysis)
 Quality of life (Questionnaire)

Blood test analysis were made by external laboratory

Statistics were made by University of Southern Denmark
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Results
Bleeding Pattern:
Length of Cycles:
Average fall: 14,81 days!
(53,38 – 38,57)
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Results
Number of Follicles:
Average fall: 16,30 follicles!
(41,71 – 25,43)
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Results
Quality of Life & Hormone Values:
No significant results!
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Conclusion:
 For the first time ultra sound scans have
shown an effect of reflexology on the
ovaries !
 With 8 participants significant results
were not expected !
 Outcome measures of Length of Cycle &
Number of Follicles are significant !
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Conclusion:
 Length of Cycle & Number of Follicles
are 2 out of the 3 criteria which define
PCOS !
 Basis for a larger trial of the effect of
reflexology !
 Treatment of women with PCOS !
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS

Perspective:
 Reflexology - a solution for infertile women
with PCOS ?
 50% natural pregnancies – Any long term
effect ?
 More research !
 For more information:
www.fdz.dk and www.schumann-zoneterapi.dk
Reflexology and PCO/PCOS