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Barbara Scott, a Doctorate in Professional Practice (DProf) student at the ���ϳԹ��� (���ϳԹ���), is undertaking research to explore the potential benefits of reflexology for patients facing fertility challenges and reproductive health issues.

With reflexology increasingly sought after yet under-researched in this area, Barbara’s work aims to establish a foundation of evidence to make this integrative therapy more accessible and widely recognised in medical circles.

Barbara’s research employs a mixed-methods approach to assess both the physical and psychosocial effects of reflexology on reproductive health. Patients will complete an industry-standard questionnaire before and after a series of reflexology sessions, followed by in-depth interviews to capture personal insights on reflexology’s impact. 

She said:

“The purpose and motivation for the research is to make reflexology more widely available, to educate both patients and stakeholders in its use and to provide the basis for further research in this field.  If, as I expect, the research identifies  a clear benefit to using reflexology in this specialism, it has the capacity to provide a cost-effective form of treatment that has many benefits that extend beyond the individual.”

Barbara’s focus lies in exploring reflexology’s effectiveness for patients dealing with fertility challenges and reproductive health issues. Despite its increasing popularity, reflexology lacks sufficient research backing in this area. Barbara aims to provide evidence on the modality’s potential benefits to make it more accessible, particularly for patients who privately fund treatments. She said: 

“The motivation for undertaking this particular research is to provide education and to influence  stakeholders that may allow this to become more widely available to those who may not currently have access to reflexology as a form of support but may like to include it as part of their treatment protocol.”

She has already used some of the smaller pieces of research undertaken as part of the Part 1 modules to begin presenting to conferences.  She’s collaborated on other academic papers and submitted abstracts to conferences based on the work that she has been undertaking as part of her DProf. Barbara said that: 

“This has heightened my academic profile within both the reflexology community and the medical community.  This is invaluable as this approach is designed to be integrative which means that medicine and reflexology are able to provide a patient-centred approach.”

Barbara’s journey to ���ϳԹ��� began unexpectedly when a member of the DProf administration team, also her student in Carmarthen, suggested the doctorate path over a master’s. She said: 

“I was offered a discussion with the course director after sending in my academic history and profile and was accepted onto the programme!  I was absolutely thrilled at being given the opportunity to undertake research in my professional field.”

She praises ���ϳԹ���’s inclusive atmosphere, where lecturers provide essential support and motivation, enabling students to delve deeply into their fields. Appointed with dedicated supervisors, Barbara appreciates their enthusiasm, saying:

“All of the lecturers on every module have been not only supportive but encouraging and motivational. They have all helped in allowing us to explore how particular approaches will either support or influence the research that we are undertaking. They are available for discussion and guidance when we get stuck, as we all do at times.  I have been appointed two excellent supervisors who are as enthusiastic about my research as I am.  This makes supervisory sessions enjoyable, stimulating, and informative.”

The D Prof residential weekends held on the Lampeter Campus have also helped her feel part of a broader academic community, allowing her to exchange insights and refine her research approach. She added:

“This sharing of ideas and thoughts influences your own thinking and ‘fine tunes’ your own research.”

The DProf programme has been instrumental in advancing Barbara’s career, allowing her to present preliminary research at conferences and collaborate on academic papers. This, in turn, has enhanced her profile within both the reflexology and medical communities, helping integrate reflexology into mainstream health practices.

For more information about the DProf programme at ���ϳԹ���, please contact Laura James: laura.james@uwtsd.ac.uk

Further Information

Lowri Thomas

Principal Communications and PR Officer     
Corporate Communications and PR     
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk     
Phone: 07449 998476