The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Lactation and Breast Milk Volume in Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background & aim: Research on foot reflexology (FR) for lactation and its impact on increasing breast milk volume is scarce, and evaluation results are mixed. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of FR on lactation and breast milk volume in postpartum women.Methods: This systematic review was performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) from inception to February ۳۰, ۲۰۲۳. The search strategy was directed to databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science as well as the search engine of Google Scholar. The quality of the included trials evaluated by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The main results were analyzed by RevMan ۵.۱.Results: Out of ۵۲۵ initially searched studies, six studies involving ۳۶۴ women were included in the final analysis. Findings indicated that the use of FR significantly improved LATCH scores (MD = ۰.۹۸; ۹۵% CI: ۰.۵۷ – ۱.۳۸, P < ۰.۰۰۱). However, no significant differences were observed between groups regarding breast milk volume (MD: ۲.۵۲; ۹۵% CI: ۰.۰۴-۵.۰۱; P = ۰.۰۵) or lactation onset symptoms (breast tension, heat, and pain) in the first day post-intervention. However, two groups were significantly different relating to symptoms of the onset of lactation on the second day after intervention.Conclusion: This study showed that FR significantly increase the LATCH score and symptoms of onset of lactation on the second day after intervention and did not display any significant increase in volume of breast milk.

Keywords:

Reflexology , Lactation , Postpartum , Meta-analysis