CYBERMED LIFE - ORGANIC  & NATURAL LIVING

Cybermedlife - Therapeutic Actions Reflexology

Determination of efficacy of reflexology in managing patients with diabetic neuropathy: a randomized controlled clinical trial. 📎

Abstract Title: Determination of efficacy of reflexology in managing patients with diabetic neuropathy: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Abstract Source: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014 ;2014:843036. Epub 2014 Jan 9. PMID: 24527055 Abstract Author(s): Krishna Dalal, V Bharathi Maran, Ravindra M Pandey, Manjari Tripathi Article Affiliation: Krishna Dalal Abstract: Background. The restricted usage of existing pharmacological methods which do not seem to provide the treatment of diabetic neuropathy may lead to exploring the efficacy of a complementary therapy. In this context, this paper was devoted to evaluate the efficacy of foot reflexology. This health science works on the hypothesis that the dysfunctional states of body parts could be identified by observing certain skin features and be rectified by stimulating certain specific areas mapped on feet. Method. Subjects (N = 58) with diagnosed diabetic neuropathy were randomly distributed into reflexology and control groups in which both group patients were treated with ongoing pharmacological drugs. Reflexology group patients were additionally treated holistically with the hypothesis that this therapy would bring homeostasis among body organ functions. This was a caregiver-based study with a follow-up period of 6 months. The outcome measures were pain reduction, glycemic control, nerve conductivity, and thermal and vibration sensitivities. The skin features leading to the detection of the abnormal functional states of body parts were also recorded and analyzed. Results. Reflexology group showed more improvements in all outcome measures than those of control subjects with statistical significance. Conclusion. This study exhibited the efficient utility of reflexology therapy integrated with conventional medicines in managing diabetic neuropathy. Article Published Date : Dec 31, 2013

A pilot study exploring the effects of reflexology on cold intolerance. 📎

Abstract Title: A pilot study exploring the effects of reflexology on cold intolerance. Abstract Source: J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2010 Apr;55(4):377-84. PMID: 20633515 Abstract Author(s): Wenping Zhang, Shougo Takahashi, Takashi Miki, Hisayo Fujieda, Torao Ishida Article Affiliation: Department of Acupuncture, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Mie, Japan. Abstract: Cold intolerance is an inability to tolerate cold temperatures and is accompanied by symptoms including headache, shoulder discomfort, dizziness and palpitations. The current study was performed to examine whether reflexology therapy affected cold intolerance in human subjects and whether the treatment was systemically effective. Ten female volunteer examinees with subjective feelings of cold were examined. After a 5-minute foot bath, 10 minutes of reflexology therapy was performed on their left foot. Skin temperature and blood flow were estimated before and after treatment, together with an interview concerning their feelings of cold and daily habits. In addition, how the recovery rate was affected by the application of a chilled-water load was also estimated. Along with significant increases in skin temperature and blood flow compared with pre-treatment at the bilateral points of KI-1, LR-3, and BL-60, a faster recovery after the application of the chilled-water load was also seen in the lower limbs on both sides. From these results, we conclude that reflexology has systemic effects and is an alternative method for treating cold intolerance. Article Published Date : Apr 01, 2010

Randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve quality of sleep amongst Taiwanese postpartum women.

Abstract Title: Randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve quality of sleep amongst Taiwanese postpartum women. Abstract Source: Midwifery. 2009 Jul 3. PMID: 19577829 Abstract Author(s): Chia-Yen Li, Su-Chiu Chen, Chung-Yi Li, Meei-Ling Gau, Chiu-Mieh Huang Abstract: OBJECTIVE: to examine the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve sleep quality in postpartum women. DESIGN AND SETTING: randomised controlled trial, conducted at two postpartum centres in northern Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: 65 postpartum women reporting poor quality of sleep were recruited from July 2007 to December 2007. INTERVENTIONS: participants were assigned randomly to either an intervention or a control group. Participants in both groups received the same care except for reflexology therapy. The intervention group received a single 30-minute foot reflexology session at the same time each evening for five consecutive days. Sessions were administered by a certified nurse reflexologist. MEASURES AND FINDINGS: the outcome measure was the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and this was performed at baseline and post test. Mean PQSI scores for both groups declined over time between baseline and post test. Using a generalised estimation equation to control several confounding variables, the changes in mean PSQI were found to be significantly lower in the intervention group (beta=-2.24, standard error=0.38, p<0.001) than in the control group. CONCLUSION: an intervention involving foot reflexology in the postnatal period significantly improved the quality of sleep. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: midwives should evaluate maternal sleep quality and design early intervention programmes to improve quality of sleep in order to increase maternal biopsychosocial well-being. Midwives interested in complementary therapies should be encouraged to obtain training in reflexology and to apply it in clinical settings if it is allowed. Article Published Date : Jul 03, 2009

The efficacy of reflexology: systematic review. 📎

Abstract Title: The efficacy of reflexology: systematic review. Abstract Source: J Adv Nurs. 2008 Jun;62(5):512-20. PMID: 18489444 Abstract Author(s): Mei-Yeh Wang, Pei-Shan Tsai, Pi-Hsia Lee, Wen-Yin Chang, Che-Ming Yang Article Affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan. Abstract: AIM: This paper is a report of a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of reflexology in any condition. BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence has shown potential benefits of reflexology in a variety of health conditions. However, the efficacy of reflexology has yet to be determined. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane library, PubMed, MEDLINE, EBM review, ProQuest Medical Bundle and SCOPUS databases were searched using the following medical subject headings or key words: reflexology, foot reflexotherapy, reflexological treatment, foot massage and zone therapy. Chinese articles were searched through the Chinese electronic periodical services and Wangfane database. The publication date was limited from 1996 to 2007. REVIEW METHODS: Studies were selected if they were written in English or Chinese, used a controlled clinical trial design, used reflexology as a stand-alone modality, and reported such outcomes as symptoms relief, quality of life and patients' perceptions of reflexology. Study quality was reviewed based on the evidence rating system of the United States Preventive Services Task Force, and studies with the evidence rating of II-2 fair or above were included in this review. RESULTS: Among the five studies suitable for review, there was only one report of a statistically significant treatment effect. Among the 12 outcome variables examined, the treatment effect size for urinary symptoms was large, whereas the effect size for other conditions was negligible. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence for any specific effect of reflexology in any conditions, with the exception of urinary symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. Routine provision of reflexology is therefore not recommended. Article Published Date : Jun 01, 2008

Randomized controlled trial of foot reflexology for patients with symptomatic idiopathic detrusor overactivity.

Abstract Title: Randomized controlled trial of foot reflexology for patients with symptomatic idiopathic detrusor overactivity. Abstract Source: Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2007 Jun;18(6):653-8. Epub 2006 Sep 27. PMID: 17003953 Abstract Author(s): Ho-Leung Jimmy Mak, Willy Cecilia Cheon, To Wong, Yu Sun John Liu, Wai Mei Anny Tong Article Affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine whether foot reflexology has beneficial effects on patients with idiopathic detrusor overactivity. One hundred and nine women with symptomatic idiopathic detrusor overactivity were randomized into either foot reflexology treatment group or nonspecific foot massage control group. The primary outcome measure was the change in the diurnal micturition frequency. There was significant change in the number of daytime frequency in the reflexology group when compared with the massage group (-1.90 vs -0.55, p = 0.029). There was also a decrease in the 24-h micturition frequency in both groups, but the change was not statistically significant (-2.80 vs -1.04 p = 0.055). In the reflexology group, more patients believed to have received "true" reflexology (88.9 vs 67.4%, p = 0.012). This reflects the difficulty of blinding in trials of reflexology. Larger scale studies with a better-designed control group and an improved blinding are required to examine if reflexology is effective in improving patients' overall outcome. Article Published Date : Jun 01, 2007

A randomised-controlled trail examining the effects of reflexology of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Abstract Title: A randomised-controlled trail examining the effects of reflexology of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Abstract Source: Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2006 May;12(2):141-7. Epub 2005 Dec 27. PMID: 16648092 Abstract Author(s): Iain S A Wilkinson, Samantha Prigmore, Charlotte F Rayner Abstract: It is known that many patients with obstructive pulmonary diseases use a number of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). There has been a great deal of interest into the CAM recently, with the House of Lords select committee for science and technology's report suggesting randomised-controlled trials are the best means of researching the area. There is very little research into the effects of reflexology specifically on the effects it has on COPD. As such a randomised-controlled trial was set up to examine the effects of reflexology treatments on COPD. Results were qualitative and quantitative and showed that there are a number of areas of possible benefit for patients with COPD, but a larger scale study with a longer time frame is needed for a full evaluation of these effects. Article Published Date : May 01, 2006

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