Reflexology

Non-Pharmacological Interventions (NPIs) are increasingly being introduced into healthcare, but their mechanisms are unclear. In this study, 30 healthy participants received foot reflexology (FR) and sham massage, and went through a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to evaluate NPIs effect on brain. Rs-fMRI revealed an effect of both NPIs on functional connectivity with changes occurring in the default-mode network, the sensorimotor network and a Neural Network Correlates of Pain (NNCP-a newly discovered network showing great robustness)...

BACKGROUND: Migraines are one of the leading causes of disability globally and in South Africa. There is a paucity of local empirical literature regarding the psychosocial impact of migraines on women. Although there are a variety of treatment approaches, many women prefer alternative and holistic treatment for their migraines. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial impact of migraines on women and their use of complementary and alternative therapies for migraine pain management...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of nurses from a center in Portugal and two in Brazil regarding the use of non-pharmacological therapies in cancer patients. METHOD: This is a professional experience report. RESULTS: In the Portuguese institution, a group of nurses has been performing massage therapy, reflexology, postural teaching, thermotherapy, relaxation, guided imagery, Reiki, music therapy, aromatherapy, among others, for 17 years, with significant results in pain and vital signs with satisfactory perceptions...

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BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases can affect sleep quality. The use of non-pharmacological methods to improve the sleep quality of heart failure patients is essential. Therefore, this study compared the effects of the Benson relaxation technique and foot reflexology massage on sleep quality of those patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this clinical trial study, 93 patients with systolic heart failure referred to Javad Al-Aeme heart clinic in Torbat Heydarieh were selected with purposive sampling method and divided into the foot reflexology massage, Benson relaxation technique, and control groups using the balanced blocking randomization method...

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory, systemic and chronic disease that mainly affects the joints. It is characterized mainly by pain, edema and joint stiffness, which can lead to significant loss of functional capacity and quality of life. Several physical therapy resources are used in the treatment of AR, such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the efficacy of LLLT in AR is still controversial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in adults with RA...

This study is a randomized comparative trial designed to determine the effects of reflexology and abdominal massage on the improvement of constipation and quality of life of older persons. Participants were randomized to the reflexology group (n = 50) or abdominal massage group (n = 50). Data were collected by using a descriptive information form, the Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT), the Katz Daily Life Activity Scale (Katz ADL), the Constipation Severity Scale (CSS), and the Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire (CQOLQ)...

PURPOSE: To provide evidence-based recommendations to health care providers on integrative approaches to managing anxiety and depression symptoms in adults living with cancer. METHODS: The Society for Integrative Oncology and ASCO convened an expert panel of integrative oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, palliative oncology, social sciences, mind-body medicine, nursing, methodology, and patient advocacy representatives. The literature search included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials published from 1990 through 2023...

BACKGROUND: Pain and anxiety are common postoperative problems that impair recovery and quality of life in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Reflexology is a nonpharmacologic method used to control pain and anxiety. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of reflexology hand massage and stroking massage on pain and anxiety in patients in the immediate postoperative period after CABG. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, we compared the effects of a 20-minute hand-reflexology massage to placebo stroking massage on pain and anxiety in newly extubated patients in the intensive care unit who had undergone CABG surgery...

OBJECTIVE: This review assessed the effects of reflexology on symptoms in pregnancy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: PubMed, Embase, Springer, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and reference lists of previous systematic reviews were searched for the eligible randomized controlled trials (RCT) from the inception date of each predefined database up to May 31st, 2023. Data were extracted, and methodological quality was evaluated by the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2)...

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy in cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and to provide a reference for the future management of CRF. METHODS: Eight databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Sinomed, Chinese Scientific Journal database (VIP), Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)) were systematically reviewed from inception to May 2022 for randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers critically and independently assessed the risk of bias using Cochrane Collaboration criteria and extracted correlated data using the designed form...

BACKGROUND: Menopause is the time that marks passing 12 months after the last menstruation cycle in women between ages 40-50. Menopausal women often experience depression and insomnia that significantly impact their overall well-being and quality of life. This systematic review aims to determine the effects of different therapeutic physiotherapy modalities on insomnia and depression in perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women. METHODOLOGY: After identifying our inclusion/exclusion criteria, we conducted a database search in Ovid Embase, MIDRIS, PubMed, Cochrane, and ScienceOpen, where 4007 papers were identified...

BACKGROUND: To critically evaluate the effects of massage therapy on cancer pain. METHODS: Nine Chinese and English databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, SCOPUS, Web of Science core, China Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP) were systematically searched from the inception of databases to November 2022 for randomized controlled trials. According to Cochrane Collaboration, 2 reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data from the included studies...

Foot reflexology is the use of massage and acupressure techniques on the feet, which represent each organ of the human body. The reflexologist knows precisely the anatomy of the body and the reflex points on the feet in order to relieve and treat the person's problems. A team from the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand shares a very positive experience, unfortunately interrupted by the Covid-19 health crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic can be seen as a rite of passage where individuals are being called upon to rethink the dictatorship of the way-of-being through work. With the intensification of the work from home modality, many essential aspects of life became secondary. This way, it is important to think about work breaks, not only from the viewpoint of labor laws, but also for creating moments of reflection for (re)thinking various aspects of work, whether remote or in person. The objective of this study was to promote a reflection on the importance of taking breaks during remote work (working from home) or in-person work, considering the promotion of occupational health and well-being...

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Fatigue is a common side effect of radiotherapy. While warm footbath and foot reflexology can both reduce fatigue, it is still unclear which method is more effective in reducing fatigue. This study aimed to compare the effects of warm footbath and foot reflexology on the fatigue of patients undergoing radiotherapy. METHOD: A randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 62 patients undergoing radiotherapy. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the 2 groups...

Labor pain is among the most severe types of physical pain that women may experience during their lifetime. Thus, pain relief is an essential part of medical care during childbirth. Epidural analgesia is considered to be the most efficient method of pain relief during labor. Nevertheless, patient preferences, contraindications, limited availability, and technical failure may require the use of alternative pain reliving methods during labor including systemic pharmacologic agents, and nonpharmacologic methods...

Complementary and Alternative Medicines/Therapies (CAM) are commonly used by US asthma adults, yet little is known about recent trends in their use. Our aim was to report trends in CAM use among US adults with current asthma. We conducted a serial cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the BRFSS Asthma Call-Back Survey (ACBS) collected between 2008 and 2019 (sample size per cycle, 8222 to 14,227). The exposure was calendar time, as represented by ACBS cycle, while the main outcomes were use of at least one CAM and eleven alternative therapies...

BACKGROUND: In palliative care, the relief of discomfort is sought by an overall approach, combining prescribed medication and additional therapies, such as foot reflexology (FR). The main objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of FR in a population of inpatients in a palliative care unit (PCU).The precariousness of the patients led us to perform a feasibility study and not a cohort study from the outset. Its secondary objective was to assess the impact of an FR session on some symptoms of discomfort (anxiety, pain, troubled sleep, and psychological distress)...

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of massage interventions on sleep quality among patients in the adult critical care unit. BACKGROUND: Massage interventions have positive effects when applied to manage sleep quality in critical care units. However, research identifying the effect of massage intervention is limited. DESIGN: This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines...