| The RLD research ended in June 2014, and in July the preliminary data was presented to Tenovus, the Welsh Cancer Charity that funded the study. Their response was. "Wow, you've really got the grand slam there haven't you?" We expect the results will be published for peer review in 2015. Here's a little taster of whats to come.... Quantitative data (objective arm measurements) All 26 participants had reductions in swelling of the affected arm. The average difference between swollen and normal arms before RLD, was 348.8ml, and the average amount lost was 36.2% of this (126.3ml). All of the statistical tests run on the before |  |
and after volumes showed that all effects were statistically significant (p<.001).
Quantitative data (subjective measurement of participants concerns and wellbeing using MYCaW)
We found that the changes on all three of the MYCaW scales were likely to be of clinical significance to the participants. Inferential analyses comparing before and after MYCaW scores for the 26 participants indicated significant differences at p<.01, for all three variables (concern1, concern2 and wellbeing)
The levels of the primary concern or problem rated by participants were significantly lower at follow-up than at baseline (p<.001)
Levels of the secondary concern or problem were also rated as significantly lower at follow-up compared to baseline,(p<.001)
Wellbeing increased significantly from baseline to follow-up, ( p<.01)
And to finish, our attrition rate was 0 during the study.– Nobody dropped out. Everyone who started, finished!
An example of quotes from the qualitative data
"....I found the whole thing was one of the top 10 highlights of my life."
"....I was really quite sceptical thinking, 'this isn't going to work, but I'll do it anyway' and I was amazed, really totally amazed to see the difference in my hand after the first session was just, .....I couldn't get over it."
"Its lighter, I haven't got the heaviness, I haven't got the aching in my arm, the swelling has gone down, I can stretch my arm, it just feels a lot better."
"I look at myself in the mirror now and I can see theres an actual shape to my arm whereas before it went straight down."
"I want to continue because I think its wonderful......I think its the best thing that's happened."
"It’s absolutely amazing because people do suffer with lymphoedema for years and it’s so painful, if something as pleasant as this can do something it’s wonderful. It’s a wonderful, wonderful thing.”
A huge thank you to Tenuous Welsh Cancer charity, and all those involved from Cardiff Met. University, including Judith Whatley, project co-ordinator and senior lecturer.
For more information and updates about RLD and reflexology research see Judith's Reflexscience blog
Exciting times for reflexology!
Quantitative data (subjective measurement of participants concerns and wellbeing using MYCaW)
We found that the changes on all three of the MYCaW scales were likely to be of clinical significance to the participants. Inferential analyses comparing before and after MYCaW scores for the 26 participants indicated significant differences at p<.01, for all three variables (concern1, concern2 and wellbeing)
The levels of the primary concern or problem rated by participants were significantly lower at follow-up than at baseline (p<.001)
Levels of the secondary concern or problem were also rated as significantly lower at follow-up compared to baseline,(p<.001)
Wellbeing increased significantly from baseline to follow-up, ( p<.01)
And to finish, our attrition rate was 0 during the study.– Nobody dropped out. Everyone who started, finished!
An example of quotes from the qualitative data
"....I found the whole thing was one of the top 10 highlights of my life."
"....I was really quite sceptical thinking, 'this isn't going to work, but I'll do it anyway' and I was amazed, really totally amazed to see the difference in my hand after the first session was just, .....I couldn't get over it."
"Its lighter, I haven't got the heaviness, I haven't got the aching in my arm, the swelling has gone down, I can stretch my arm, it just feels a lot better."
"I look at myself in the mirror now and I can see theres an actual shape to my arm whereas before it went straight down."
"I want to continue because I think its wonderful......I think its the best thing that's happened."
"It’s absolutely amazing because people do suffer with lymphoedema for years and it’s so painful, if something as pleasant as this can do something it’s wonderful. It’s a wonderful, wonderful thing.”
A huge thank you to Tenuous Welsh Cancer charity, and all those involved from Cardiff Met. University, including Judith Whatley, project co-ordinator and senior lecturer.
For more information and updates about RLD and reflexology research see Judith's Reflexscience blog
Exciting times for reflexology!
RSS Feed