AOR, University of Oxford and Cortigenix Launch New Pilot Study

Posted on 15/5/2025

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New Reflexology Study to Use Hair Cortisol Testing to Explore Stress-Reduction Benefits.

In an innovative approach to understanding the benefits of reflexology, researchers from the Association of Reflexologists (AoR), University of Oxford and Cortigenix are launching a new study that will use hair cortisol testing to examine how the popular -complementary therapy can reduce stress.

Reflexology, a therapeutic practice that involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears, has long been hailed for its potential to alleviate stress and promote relaxation. However, until now, scientific studies have not delineated how or why reflexology is able to ‘get under the skin’ to reduce stress.

Now a team of researchers are aiming to change that by integrating cutting-edge hair cortisol testing to measure how reflexology may change long-term levels of the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol.

The study will involve participants undergoing regular reflexology sessions, with their hair cortisol levels being measured before and after -a series of treatments. Cortisol is often referred to as the "stress hormone" because its levels rise in response to physical or emotional stress. Hair cortisol testing provides a unique advantage over traditional blood or saliva tests by allowing researchers to assess chronic stress levels over an extended period, offering a more comprehensive view of how stress is affecting the body.

"Reflexology has been reported anecdotally as being very effective for stress relief, but we are still uncertain about the biological pathways that lead to people experiencing such clear health benefits" said Dr. Adam Massey, Clinical Research Scientist and CEO at Cortigenix.

"By analysing hair samples, we can track changes in cortisol levels over time and determine if reflexology has a measurable impact on physiological stress reduction."

The research team hopes that the findings from this study will shed light on the physiological changes that occur when reflexology is practiced, helping to establish a clearer connection between the therapy and its potential health benefits. If successful, the results could pave the way for reflexology to be even more widely recognised as an effective treatment for stress management.

Participants in the study will undergo 6 hour-long sessions of reflexology over a period of three months. At both the beginning and end of the study they will provide a hair sample and fill in two simple forms, one with general participant data and the other a perceived Stress Score 4 question outcome measurement (PSS-4). The hair samples will undergo the gold-standard Cortigenix cortisol level testing.

Tracey Smith, Head of Research at the Association of Reflexologists said:

‘We are so excited to partner with Cortigenix to assess if reflexology is having a measurable effect on the level of cortisol in the body as measured by hair testing. Hair testing is the gold standard for assessing cortisol levels, which in itself impacts on chronic illness. We look forward to the results to assess if this might be a way that reflexology appears to have such a wide-ranging holistic effect.’