AOR, University of Oxford and Cortigenix Launch New Pilot Study

Researchers from the Association of Reflexologists (AoR), the University of Oxford, and Cortigenix are launching a new pilot study that will use hair cortisol testing to examine how reflexology may reduce chronic stress.

Reflexology — a therapeutic practice involving applied pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears — has been widely reported by practitioners and patients to alleviate stress and promote relaxation. Until now, however, scientific studies have not been able to demonstrate this effect at a biological level.

Why hair cortisol testing?

The key challenge in studying chronic stress is measurement. Blood and saliva cortisol tests only capture a snapshot at one moment in time, which makes it difficult to detect changes in sustained stress levels over weeks or months.

Hair cortisol testing solves this problem. Because cortisol is incorporated into the hair shaft as it grows (~1cm per month), analysing the section closest to the scalp gives a reliable average of cortisol exposure over the preceding three months. This makes it uniquely suited to tracking whether an intervention — like a course of reflexology — is producing a measurable change in chronic stress biology, not just immediate subjective relaxation.

About the study

Participants will undergo six one-hour reflexology sessions over a three-month period. At both the start and end of the study, they will provide a hair sample and complete two questionnaires: a general participant data form and the Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS-4). Hair samples will be analysed using Cortigenix's hair cortisol test.

The study design — comparing hair cortisol before and after the full course of sessions — will allow researchers to assess whether reflexology produces a sustained, biologically measurable reduction in cortisol, rather than simply a transient sense of calm.

What the researchers say

"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. 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."

"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. Hair testing is the gold standard for assessing cortisol levels, which in itself impacts on chronic illness. We look forward to the results."

The bigger picture

If the study demonstrates a significant reduction in hair cortisol following a course of reflexology, it would establish a direct biological link between the therapy and its claimed stress-reduction effects — potentially strengthening the case for reflexology as a recognised intervention for chronic stress management.

The study also contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting hair cortisol as a gold-standard measurement tool for tracking chronic stress in both clinical and community settings.