Effect Of Reflexology Research Articles

Effects of reflexology on pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review

This systematic review was conducted to investigate the impact of reflexology on pain management in individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. A comprehensive search was executed on international electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Iranian electronic library including Iranmedex and Scientific Information Database, covering the earliest available data up to January 25, 2024. The search employed keywords derived from Medical Subject Headings such as "reflexology", "pain", and "rheumatoid arthritis". The quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) critical assessment checklist. A total of four studies, encompassing 206 participants, were included in the review. Notably, 70.97% of the enrolled patients were female, with 61.17% assigned to the intervention group. The mean age of participants was 50.06 (standard deviation [SD]=8.48) years. The average study duration and follow-up period were approximately 25 and 5 weeks, respectively, with an intervention duration averaging 40 minutes. In three studies interventions were effective in decreasing pain of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, in one study, the intervention was not effective in decreasing pain of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The findings indicated that health professionals, including nurses, can effectively employ reflexology as a means to alleviate pain in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Consequently, it is recommended that healthcare managers and policymakers create an enabling environment within hospitals, facilitating the integration of reflexology into patient care protocols. This strategic approach holds the potential for reducing the pain experienced by patients afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis.

The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Fatigue, Sleep Quality, Physiological Indices, and Electrocardiogram Changes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Limited evidence is available regarding the effect of reflexology on Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). The present study evaluated the effect of foot reflexology on fatigue, sleep quality, physiological indices, and electrocardiogram changes in AMI. This clinical trial was conducted on 80 subjects with AMI. They were divided into an intervention (received reflexology for 3 consecutive days) and a control (received the routine care) group. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a pain numeric analog scale, a daily physiological indices form, and daily electrocardiogram were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software. The study was conducted based on CONSORT criteria. After controlling the covariates, a significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups with regard to the mean scores of fatigue (F5,80 = 16.33; p < 0.001), sleep quality (F5,80 = 16.56; p < 0.001), and chest pain intensity (F5,80 = 6.86; p = 0.010); means of systolic blood pressure (F5,80 = 22.20; p < 0.001), heart rate (F5,80 = 5.86; p = 0.010), respiration (F5,80 = 9.37; p = 0.003), and temperature (F5,80= -4.23; p < 0.001); and incidence of ST-segment (χ2 1,80 = 5.00; p = 0.020) and T-wave changes (χ2 1,80 = 6.05, p = 0.010) on the fourth day of the intervention. Given the effectiveness of foot reflexology in different aspects of AMI patients, the implementation of this intervention is recommended for these patients in coronary care units.

Effects of Reflexology on Anorexia and Sleep Quality in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Cancer and associated treatment methods present numerous complications, including anorexia and disturbances in sleep patterns. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to examine the impact of reflexology on the symptoms of anorexia and sleep quality among individuals afflicted with cancer. In this double-blinded randomized clinical trial, a total of 60 patients undergoing chemotherapy at Khansari Hospital, Arak, Iran, were selected using convenience sampling and then assigned to two groups of control and experimental using blocked randomization (30 patients in each group). The sample intervention group received reflexology in an exceedingly 4-week amount (two sessions a week), By contrast, the control group was administered a placebo treatment without exerting any pressure on the reflex points during the same time frame. Sleep quality and anorexia in patients were measured using a Pittsburgh questionnaire and visual analog scale before and right after the intervention. Eventually, the data were analyzed, and we used the tests of central tendency, dispersion, independent- and paired-samples t-tests, and Chi-square. The findings of the study revealed a significant improvement in sleep quality and reduction in anorexia symptoms among patients who received reflexology treatment scores (p < 0.001). Conversely, there was no significant difference in the control group before and after the intervention (without pressure effect on the foot points) (p > 0.05). According to the positive effects on sleep quality and the reduction of anorexia symptoms, it is recommended to incorporate this therapeutic modality along with conventional medication for the treatment of individuals with cancer.

The Effect of Reflexology on Immunological Parameters of People Living with HIV

The Effect of Reflexology on Immunological Parameters of People Living with HIV

Effect of Reflexology on Pain and Disability in Patients with Diabetic Adhesive Capsulitis

Effect of Reflexology on Pain and Disability in Patients with Diabetic Adhesive Capsulitis

Effect of Reflexology on Postpartum Comfort and Lactation after Cesarean Delivery among Primiparous Mothers

Effect of Reflexology on Postpartum Comfort and Lactation after Cesarean Delivery among Primiparous Mothers

A Prospective comparison between the effect of reflexology and steroid injection for relieving of pain in patient with chronic low back pain a clinical randomized trial study

A Prospective comparison between the effect of reflexology and steroid injection for relieving of pain in patient with chronic low back pain a clinical randomized trial study

The Effect of Reflexology on Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients Suffering Chemotherapy-induced Neuropathy: A Randomized and Controlled Trial

The Effect of Reflexology on Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients Suffering Chemotherapy-induced Neuropathy: A Randomized and Controlled Trial

MYOFASCIAL NECK PAIN SYNDROME IN WRESTLING ATHLETES: PREVENTION AND RECOVERY

Abstract. Early sports specialization, increased professional load, technical complexity of motor elements, lack of adequate means of rehabilitation in the training process have become the main triggers in the emergence of MNPS. The aim of the study was to study the mechanisms of development, clinical manifestations and development of the etiological system of treatment of cervical myofascial pain in the absence of actual organic pathology of the spine. Promising treatment is the use of reflexology. Effects of reflexology: analgesia, psychiatric (depression, sedation), nutrition, recovery, muscle relaxation. Conclusions: Athletes are mainly characterized by pain in the muscles that provide static work, as well as different options for the distribution of MNPS, depending on the sport. The upper and lower extremities are involved in performing active motor functions characteristic of sports. In general, local symptoms of pain were observed in 52.5% of athletes, and common - in 40.6%. At the same time, MNPS was most common in 63.4% of cases of cervical wrestlers and 58.4% of cases of lumbosacral region; in athletes, the development of myofascial disorders increases the bioelectrical activity of muscles at rest; Athletes with common symptoms have reduced control processes in the central nervous system [1]. It is characterized by an increase in multisynaptic reflex excitability at the level of the brain stem; emotional disorders in athletes in the presence of myofascial pain are characteristic in the presence of the third stage of the pathological process; the occurrence of general symptoms of MNPS according to the study leads to an increase in the average time of sensorimotor response, deterioration of motor processes and increased fatigue when performing a series of tests; MNPS treatment, which includes reflexology and PIR programs based on clinical and instrumental studies, significantly improves the athlete's condition during 12 months of follow-up.

Effect of reflexology on anxiety level among patients undergoing coronary angiography

Background Angiography is a highly effective invasive method for diagnosing coronary artery diseases but can lead to certain psychological problems such as anxiety. Aim To investigate the effect of foot reflexology therapy on anxiety level among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Research hypothesis H: patients undergoing coronary angiography who will receive the foot reflexology therapy will reveal lesser mean anxiety scores than before the intervention. Design A quasi-experimental research design was used. Setting This study was conducted at two selected critical care units affiliated to Cairo University Hospitals. Sample A purposive sample of 40 adult patients undergoing coronary angiography was recruited throughout 8 months. Tools Two tools were utilized to collect data: first, demographic characteristics and medical data, and second, state-trait anxiety inventory. Results There were significant statistical differences in mean anxiety scores in the reflexology study group before intervention, immediately, and 30 min after intervention (f=13.32/P=0.00). So, there was a significant decrease in anxiety scores immediately after intervention. Moreover, significant differences were detected among the studied patients’ anxiety mean scores according to their age 30 min after intervention (0.00); the age categories between 40 and 49 years showed less anxiety at this point of time. Finally, no significant statistical correlations whatsoever were found between selected demographic variables and mean anxiety scores at all time series of intervention. Conclusion It can be concluded that, foot reflexology was an effective method to decrease anxiety among patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Comparison between effect of reflexology and Maitland mobilization in treatment of frozen shoulder of diabetic patients type II

Diabetes metabolic disorders can lead to changes in connective tissue and adhesive capsulitis (AC) is one of the most common complications that occour with diabetes where it is defined as pain restriction in the glenohumeral joint capsule that causes limitation in ROM of shoulder. Physiotherapy has many modalities that proved their role in improving symptoms of AC and so this study was aiming to Know which is more effective in improving symptoms: ROM (flexion, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation) and Shoulder pain , Reflexology, or Maitland mobilization in treatment of type II diabetic patients.Thirty patients from both genders with age ranged from 50-60 years were recruited for this study. They were divided randomly into two groups of equal number (Group A – Maitland mobilization) and (Group B – Reflexology). Data obtained from both groups before and after 8 successive weeks of intervention was statistically treated to analyze the scores of visual analogue scale (score), shoulder flexion ROM (angle), shoulder abduction ROM (angle), shoulder internal rotation ROM (angle) and shoulder external rotation ROM (angle) to determine which is more e.

Effect of reflexology on ankle brachial index, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and glycemic control in older adults with diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of foot reflexology on ankle brachial index, diabetic peripheral neuropathy and glycemic control in older adults with diabetes. MethodsA randomized controlled, parallel-group trial study was conducted at the outpatient elderly health center in Bolu, Turkey. 48 adults aged 65 and over enrolled in the elderly health center were randomized into two groups in a ratio of 1:1 (experimental, n = 24; control, n = 24). Foot reflexology was performed for 12-week in the experimental group, whereas the control group continued their routine treatment and follow-up. The outcome measures included: (1) ankle brachial index, (2) diabetic peripheral neuropathy measured by a comprehensive foot exam, and (3) glycemic control by a glycated hemoglobin A blood test at baseline and after 12 weeks. ResultsPost-test diabetic peripheral neuropathy scores (p < 0.001) and glycated hemoglobin A levels (p = 0.002) decreased in the experimental group and increased in the control group. There was no significant between-group difference regarding post-test ankle brachial index scores (p = 0.726). Foot reflexology had a medium effect size on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (95% confidence interval 0.003–2.24; d = 0.51; p < 0.001) and glycated hemoglobin A (95% confidence interval 0.72–1.22; d = 0.52; p = 0.002). ConclusionsA foot reflexology practice can be a useful for improving the glycemic control and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the older adults with diabetes. Trial registration numberNCT04416503.

The effect of reflexology on sleep quality and fatigue in postmenopausal women: A randomized control trial

IntroductionPhysiological and psychological changes are observed during the postmenopausal period. In nursing practice reflexology has been used to cope with changes during this period. This study was conducted to determine whether reflexology could improve sleep quality and decrease fatigue in postmenopausal women. MethodsThis randomized controlled study was carried out between April and December 2018. The study sample consisted of 72 postmenopausal women (36 in the intervention group and 36 in the control group). Reflexology was applied in a total of 12 sessions by the researcher on the postmenopausal women in the intervention group. The data were collected using an Introductory Information Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). ResultsAfter applying reflexology, the intervention group exhibited a decrease in mean PSQI posttest total score which was significantly different to the control group (Cohen's d= 3.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0,612–4,268) (p<0.001). However, the differences between the control group and the intervention group scores were not statistically significant for the subjective sleep quality, sleep latency or sleep disorder components (p>0.05). After reflexology application, the mean total FSS score of the women in the intervention group decreased, and the difference between the two scores was significant (Cohen's d = 1.83, 95 % CI: -9,819–4,042) (p<0.001). ConclusionPost-menopausal women benefited after the application of reflexology as sleep quality increased and fatigue decreased. Reflexology could be used as a non-pharmacological therapeutic option offered in nursing care.

The Effect of Reflexology on Low Back Pain in Operating Room Nurses.

Operating room nurses often face acute or chronic back and low back pains, shoulder and neck injuries. In recent years, the use of complementary and alternative treatment methods has been increasing due to the fact that pharmacological treatment cannot control the pain in general, and its various side effects and cost. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on low back pain of operating room nurses. This quasiexperimental study was conducted with 38 operating room nurses. The nurses in the experimental group were given a 30-minute reflexology protocol once a week for 4 weeks and their pain levels were assessed again at week 5. The control group nurses did not receive any intervention. Data were collected using a demographic information form and a visual analog scale (VAS). The low back pain of the nurses in the reflexology group decreased significantly at week 5 compared with week 1, whereas the severity of low back pain of the nurses in the control group did not change between weeks 1 and 5. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the mean VAS pain score at week 1. However, the nurses in the reflexology group had significantly lower VAS pain mean scores at week 5 than the control group. In this study, reflexology significantly reduced the pain of nurses who had low back pain. Therefore, reflexology might be useful in controlling low back pain of operating room nurses.

The effect of reflexology on labor pain, anxiety, labor duration, and birth satisfaction in primiparous pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial

The authors of this study aimed to determine the effect of reflexology on labor outcomes in primiparous pregnant women. A total of 60 women participated in the study in 2 groups of 30 for reflexology and control groups. During the first stage of labor, the reflexology technique was applied to reflex regions of each foot. VAS mean scores and State Anxiety Inventory mean scores of the experimental group were found to be statistically significantly lower than the control group. Reflexology was effective in decreasing pain and anxiety and increasing the birth satisfaction during the first stage of labor.

Effect of Reflexology in Treating Cancer Pain: A Meta-Analysis

Context: Pain is a common symptom associated with cancer and its treatment. The conventional treatment does not often relieve cancer pain optimally. The complementary therapies are increasingly used as adjunct therapy alongside pharmacological and conventional treatments in patients. Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the existing evidence for reflexology effect on cancer pain through a meta-analysis. Data Sources: In this systematic review, electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PubMed were searched to find relevant studies until December 2018. Study Selection: We included before-after studies and trials of interventions that focused on pain management using reflexology modality as an intervention in patients with cancer regardless of cancer type. The effect of reflexology for patients with cancer pain was investigated as the main outcome. Data Extraction: The extracted information included name of authors, year of publication, study location, type of study, sample size, and outcome indicator. Consensus was reached by discussion in case of disagreement during each stage of selection, qualitative assessment, and extraction of data. We assessed heterogeneity using the I2 statistics. The publication bias was explored using the Egger’s and the funnel plot. We meta-analyzed the data and reported the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the random-effects model. Meta-analysis was done using the Revman software. Results: Eight studies with 948 participants were analyzed using a random- effects model meta-analysis. Included studies consisted of five randomized clinical trials, one quasi-experimental, and two pre-post design. We observed a positive effect for reflexology in patients with cancer pain compared with usual care (SMD- 0.55 [95% CI-0.82 to 0.21] P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: This systematic review provides sufficient evidence for the effectiveness of reflexology as an effective treatment in cancer pain. But we recommend conducting studies with larger sample size, well-designed trials with sufficient duration and longer follow-up periods with clear details about reflex practitioners, duration of intervention, instrument for pain assessment, and outcome. Meanwhile, patients should be adequately monitored and adverse effects should be reported. All of the aforementioned issues might affect the impact of reflexology adjuvant treatment.

Effect of reflexology on anxiety and sleep of informal cancer caregiver: Randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThe study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the short-term effect of foot reflexology on sleep and anxiety of informal caregivers. MethodThe study was a double-blind placebo-controlled study and conducted in an oncology unit of a university hospital. Participants were the informal caregivers of cancer patients. Reflexology and placebo intervention had applied for three consequent days. State Anxiety Inventory (SAI, 20–80 points) and Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ, Visual Analog Scale) was used for data collection before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS v25 software. ResultsParticipants (n = 66, 40.17 ± 13.36 years old, ten males) were caring for the patients for 7.66 ± 6.34 months. There weren't any significant differences between the groups for SAI and RCSQ scores before the interventions. The SAI scores were found 38.91 ± 5.63 in the reflexology group and 46.30 ± 11.29 in the placebo group and the RCSQ scores were found 409.55 ± 50.08 in the reflexology group and 441.82 ± 35.51 in the placebo group. There were significant differences between the groups for SAI (p = 0.004) and RCSQ (p = 0.001) scores after the intervention. It was found that reflexology has a large effect on Anxiety (f2 = 0.555) and a medium effect on sleep (f2 = 0.238). ConclusionFoot reflexology was found as an effective intervention to reduce anxiety and improve the quality of sleep of informal cancer caregivers. The effect of placebo on reducing the anxiety of informal caregivers was found, but it wasn't as effective as reflexology.

Evaluating the effect on asthma quality of life of added reflexology or homeopathy to conventional asthma management – an investigator-blinded, randomised, controlled parallel group study

ABSTRACT Background Asthma is a common chronic disease worldwide without any known cure. Despite remarkable improvement in asthma treatment, better education and guideline implementation strategies, there is growing interest in using complementary and alternative medicine, like reflexology and homeopathy. However, evidence supporting the effectiveness of homeopathy and reflexology in asthma treatment is not available. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of reflexology and homeopathy as adjunctive therapies in asthma. Methods In a single centre, randomised, investigator blinded, controlled study 86 asthma patients were enrolled. They were assigned to one of three study groups (conventional treatment alone or conventional treatment with addition of either homeopathy or reflexology). All patients received their asthma treatment during the study and were followed as usual by their general practitioner. The study assignment group of individual patients were blinded to the investigators, who made the clinical evaluation of asthma control. The primary outcome was the change in the asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) scores after 26 weeks. Secondary outcomes included asthma control questionnaire, EuroQol, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, morning and evening peak expiratory flow, asthma symptoms, rescue medication use, and total medication score. Results Minor improvements in the AQLQ score were observed in all three groups. However, no statistically significant changes in AQLQ scores were seen within or between groups. Likewise, secondary outcomes did not differ between groups. Conclusions In this study, the addition of homeopathy or reflexology to conventional treatment did not result in improved quality of life in asthma.

Effects of reflexology on premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a set of somatic and psychological symptoms that occur cyclically in the luteal phase of a menstrual cycle. There is no report of final result of reflexology on PMS. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of reflexology on PMS through a systematic review and meta-analysis study.MethodThe present study was a systematic review and meta-analysis that was conducted by searching in 8 electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest, Scopus, Google Scholar, and SID until December 28, 2018. In this regard, interventional studies, which examined the impact of reflexology on women with premenstrual syndrome, were included. These studies were published during 1993 to 2018. The Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the quality of studies. Meta-analysis was performed by the help of CMA 2 software.ResultsNine out of 407 studies finally remained after screening, and quantitative and quantitative analyses were performed on them. The total number of research samples was 475. The mean treatment time with reflexology was 40.55 min per session that was performed in 6 to 10 sessions of treatment in 66.67% of studies. According to the meta-analysis and based on the random effects model, the reflexology could decrease the severity of PMS in the intervention group compared to the control group (SMD = − 2.717, 95% CI: − 3.722 to − 1.712). Meta-regression results indicated that the duration of intervention sessions (β = − 0.1124, 95% CI − 0.142 to − 0.084, p < 0.001) had a significant impact on the severity of PMS. Reflexology could also significantly affect somatic (SMD = − 1.142, 95% CI: − 1.481 to − 0.803) and psychological (SMD = − 1.380, 95% CI: − 2.082 to − 0.677) symptoms arising from PMS.ConclusionIn general, results of the present study indicated that the reflexology could relieve PMS symptoms, so that overall scores, somatic and psychological symptoms of PMS decreased by applying the reflexology intervention. Furthermore, an increase in the length of reflexology time in each session increased its efficiency. Reflexology can be used as an effective intervention in a patient care program by nurses and its efficiency can be enhanced by increasing intervention time in each reflexology treatment session.

Care to Caregiver: The Effect of Reflexology on Sleep and Anxiety of Cancer Caregiver

Care to Caregiver: The Effect of Reflexology on Sleep and Anxiety of Cancer Caregiver