I love using these foot pads. They don't stick like the other kinds that have a more charcoal-ish smell. And if people complain about the adhesives, they worked fine for me, but just wear socks - solves the issue.
Most importantly, they work extremely well. I've been using them for 3 days now and already feel heightened energy levels, more productive at work because my mind is clearer, and I also feel happier, more motivated and positive in general. My body feels less tense and more flexible. It does remove a toxic pressure from the body.
While it is true that there is no specific western medical research to back up these foot pads, the same could be said for many of the healthy things we do to stay healthy and happy. Foot pads are not at the top of the list of things to research medically, so it might be awhile until we have numbers to back up the experience. But anecdotal evidence - and my own experiential evidence - is enough for me to continue using these. If I feel better, healthier, happier, then all I can say is these pads are great.