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Reflexology Path

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Reflexology Path

When the Bott Building for Nursing Education and Research was built in 2012, College of Nursing Professor Emeritus Dr. Gwen Wyatt was in the midst of implementing several grants from the National Cancer Institute. The integrative therapy being tested for symptom management with cancer patients and their caregivers was reflexology.

Elizabeth Marazita, doctor of acupuncture and oriental medicine, was the reflexology consultant on Wyatt's projects at the time. Marazita and her team have designed and installed reflexology paths on university campuses around the country and consults internationally. Elizabeth became acquainted with our Dean at that time, Dr. Mary Mundt, and suggested the idea of a reflexology path as part of the new landscaping for the front of the new Bott Building.

The Wyatt & Muelder Reflexology Path is now utilized by students, faculty, alumni and visitors as a meditative path to walk and reflect. It has come to represent a symbol of health and healing in the College of Nursing environment at Michigan State University.

Wyatt and her reflexology research at the College of Nursing were catalysts for Dean Mundt approving the reflexology pathway initiative in 2012.

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Support the Reflexology Path!
How to use the Reflexology Path
Feet
Reflexology Links

  • https://www.reflexology-research.com/reflexology-paths-around-the-world/
     

  • http://www.pathsofhealth.net/

Foot Reflexology and Research Documents 

Anxiety:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=foot%20reflexology%20anxiety%202024&page=2

 

Balance and blood pressure: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16078955/

 

Insomnia:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22310867/

 

Cancer:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39754814/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28743659/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10660924/

 

Multiple sclerosis (side effects):

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38482512/

 

Pregnancy/labor (side effects):

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39685103/

Dr. Gwen Wyatt's Related Articles

Articles on Supportive Care for Cancer Caregivers & Patients

2025
  • Wyatt, G., Lehto, R., Sender, J., & Patano, A. (2025). Nature-based virtual reality: A review of cancer care. Western Journal of Nursing Research.
2024
  • Patano, A., Alanazi, M., Lehto, R., Goldstein, D., & Wyatt, G. (2024). A nature-immersive virtual reality intervention to support hospice family caregivers: Qualitative findings from a pilot study. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 11(12), 100616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjon.2024.100616
  • Lehto, R. H., Patano, A., Alanazi, M., et al. (2024). Evaluation of a nature-based virtual reality intervention to support hospice caregivers: A pilot feasibility study. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2024-005087
2022
  • Lehto, R. H., Sikorskii, A., Marshall, K., & Wyatt, G. (2022). Engaging patients in research that involves meditation: Religious concerns and nursing implications. Cancer Nursing, 45(5), E828–E834.
  • Thana, K., Sikorskii, A., Lehto, R., et al. (2022). Family caregivers of those with cancer: Quality of life outcomes from a SMART trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 30(7), 5891–5902.
2021
  • Lehto, R. H., Wyatt, G., Sender, J., & Miller, S. E. (2021). Natural environment interventions for informal cancer caregivers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21), 11124.
  • Pearson, A., Breeze, V., Reuben, A., & Wyatt, G. (2021). Backyard nature use during COVID-19 and stress among breast cancer patients. IJERPH, 18(17), 9102.
  • Wyatt, G., Lehto, R., et al. (2021). Reflexology and meditative practices for symptom management. Research in Nursing & Health, 44(5), 796–810.
  • Thana, K., Sikorskii, A., Lehto, R., & Wyatt, G. (2021). Caregiver burden and psychological symptoms. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 52, 101979.
  • Miller, M., Greenwalt, K., et al. (2021). Pain and spirituality among women with advanced breast cancer. Cancer Care Research Online, 1(1).
  • Thana, K., Lehto, R., Sikorskii, A., & Wyatt, G. (2021). Informal caregiver burden: Review and future directions. Psychology & Health, 36(12), 1514–1535.
  • Kamp, K., Flanigan, M., et al. (2021). Long-Term Quality of Life instrument expansion. Cancer Nursing, 44(2), E76–E82.
2020
  • Miller, M., Xu, D., et al. (2020). Pain and spirituality outcomes in reflexology trials. Oncology Nursing Forum, 48(1), 31–43.
  • Rottman, B., Wyatt, G., et al. (2020). Expectancy and reflexology utilization. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 12(2), 493–512.
2019
  • Sikorskii, A., Guha Niyogi, P., et al. (2019). Symptom response analysis in reflexology trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 28(3), 1395–1404.
  • Wyatt, G., Lehto, R., & Sender, J. (2019). Complementary health therapies used by caregivers. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 35(4), 342–347.
  • Flanigan, M., Wyatt, G., & Lehto, R. (2019). Spiritual perspectives on pain in breast cancer. Pain Management Nursing, 20(5), 432–443.
  • Luo, Z., Wang, L., Sikorskii, A., & Wyatt, G. (2019). Healthcare utilization in reflexology intervention. Supportive Care in Cancer, 27(8), 2837–2847.
2018
  • Zick, S. M., Sen, A., et al. (2018). Self-acupressure for cancer survivors. JNCI Cancer Spectrum, 2(4).
  • Sikorskii, A., Victorson, D., et al. (2018). PROMIS vs legacy measures in cancer care. Psycho-Oncology, 27(9), 2265–2273.
  • Lehto, R. H., Miller, S. E., et al. (2018). Mental health in advanced cancer patients. Expert Review of Quality of Life in Cancer Care, 3(2–3), 73–94.
2017
  • Sikorskii, A., Wyatt, G., et al. (2017). SMART design for symptom management. Research in Nursing & Health, 40(6), 501–511.
  • Wyatt, G., Sikorskii, A., et al. (2017). Caregiver-delivered reflexology trial. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 54(5), 670–679.
  • Frambes, D., Wyatt, G., et al. (2017). Caregiver-reported health outcomes. Oncology Nursing Forum, 44(5), 596–605.
  • Frambes, D., Given, B., et al. (2017). Informal caregivers: Interventions and outcomes. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 40(7), 1069–1097.
2016–2000 (Selected Earlier Work)
  • Wyatt, G. K., Sikorskii, A., et al. (2016). Saw palmetto during radiation therapy. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 51(6), 1046–1054.
  • Zick, S., Sen, A., et al. (2016). Acupressure for cancer-related fatigue. JAMA Oncology, 2(11), 1470–1476.
  • Wyatt, G. K., Sikorskii, A., et al. (2012). Quality of life in reflexology trial. Oncology Nursing Forum, 39(6), 568–577.
  • Flynn, L. L., Bush, T. R., et al. (2011). Robotic reflexology device development. European Journal of Cancer Care, 20(5), 686–696.
  • Wyatt, G. K., Beckrow, K. C., et al. (2008). Post-surgical well-being in breast cancer. Cancer Nursing, 31(2), E28–E39.
  • Doorenbos, A. Z., Given, B., et al. (2007). End-of-life cancer care and caregivers. Research in Nursing & Health, 30(3), 270–281.
  • Wyatt, G. K., & Post-White, J. (2005). Future directions of CAM research. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 21(3), 215–224.
  • Wyatt, G. K., Ogle, K. S., & Given, B. A. (2000). Access to hospice: Bereaved perspective. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 3(4), 433–440.