REFLEXOLOGY RESEARCH – ARTHRITIS

2023

PAIN, FATIGUE, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, HAND MASSAGE, REIKI.

The effects of Reiki and hand massage on pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. By Kevser SevgiÜnal AslanFunda Çetinkaya. Pub. by Explore (NY) 2023 Mar-Apr;19(2):251-255. PMID: 35752581 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2022.06.006

The mean pain score and the fatigue severity of patients decreased after Reiki and hand massage interventions and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

2022

KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS, AURICULAR ACUPRESSURE

Auricular acupressure for treating early stage of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, sham-controlled prospective study. By X ZhangB He , H WangX Sun. Pub. by QJM. 2022 Aug 13;115(8):525-529. PMID: 34463759 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcab230

Auricular acupressure plays a role in analgesic effect and can effectively decrease NSAIDs requirements without causing adverse events for the treatment of human knee osteoarthritis.

PAIN, OSTEOARTHRITIS, QUALITY OF LIFE, SENIORS

Effect of Foot Reflexology with Pharmacological Treatment on Pain and Quality of Life among Elderly Suffering from Osteoarthritis. By Baraka, S. (2022). Pub. by Tanta Scientific Nursing Journal, 24(1), pp. 224-251. doi: 10.21608/tsnj.2022.221577

Foot reflexology appears to have a significantly remarkable effect on pain reduction and improved quality of life. Also, the educational program of pharmacological osteoarthritis treatment was effective and improved elderly’s knowledge of both groups. Therefore, Foot reflexology technique should be recommended in hospital protocols and gerontological nursing curriculum beside pharmacological treatment of osteoarthritis. 

JOINT PAIN, FATIGUE, SLEEP DEPRIVATION, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, HAND REFLEXOLOGY

Effect Of Hand Reflexology Massage On Pain, Fatigue And Sleep Deprivation In Patients Suffering From Rheumatoid Arthritis. By Sunil Kumar Sharma , Gurjar N. R. (2022). Pub. by Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 4633–4636. https://doi.org/10.47750/pnr.2022.13.S08.599

The study result findings revealed that there was significant reduction in joint pain, fatigue and sleep deprivation after administration of hand reflexology( p=0.005). Hand reflexology can be considered an effective intervention in reducing level of pain, fatigue and sleep deprivation among rheumatoid arthritis patients.

2019

FATIGUE, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS,

The role of non-pharmacological interventions in the management of rheumatoid-arthritis-related fatigue. By Fiona Cramp. Pub. by Rheumatology (Oxford). 2019 Nov; 58(Suppl 5): v22–v28. Published online 2019 Nov 4. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez310 PMCID: PMC6827265 PMID: 31682276

Findings supported previous evidence that physical activity and psychosocial interventions have potential to produce small to moderate reductions in fatigue related to rheumatoid arthritis. Reflexology and aromatherapy interventions also appeared promising.

2018

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, PAIN, SLEEP

The effects of reflexology on pain and sleep deprivation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial. By Ercan BakirSevgin Samancioglu Baglama,  Savas Gursoy. Complement Ther Clin Pract.  2018 May; 31:315-319. PMID: 29705475   DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.017.

Foot reflexology is a non-pharmacological nursing intervention that may reduce the pain and sleep deprivation symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

2017

SENIORS, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Laser acupuncture versus reflexology therapy in elderly with rheumatoid arthritis. By Adly, A.S., Adly, A.S., Adly, M.S. et al. Pub. by Lasers Med Sci 32, 1097–1103 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-017-2213-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-017-2213-y

Laser therapy is associated with significant improvement in MDA and ATP greater than reflexology. In addition, it is associated with significant improvement in ankle dorsi-flexion, ankle plantar-flexion, wrist flexion, wrist extension, and radial deviation greater than reflexology in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

2016

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, PAIN, FATIGUE

The Effects of Aromatherapy Massage and Reflexology on Pain and Fatigue in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. By Zehra Gok MetinLeyla Ozdemir. Pain Manag Nurs.  2016 Apr; 17(2):140-9. PMID: 27091583    DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2016.01.004.

Pain and fatigue scores significantly decreased in the aromatherapy massage and reflexology groups compared with the control group (p < .05). The reflexology intervention started to decrease mean pain and fatigue scores earlier than aromatherapy massage (week 1 vs week 2 for pain, week 1 vs week 4 for fatigue) (p < .05). Aromatherapy massage and reflexology are simple and effective nonpharmacologic nursing interventions that can be used to help manage pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

PAIN, ACTIVITY OF DAILY LIVING, OSTEOPOROSIS

A study to assess the effectiveness of reflexology on pain and activity of daily living of osteoarthritis patients attending out patient department of Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, at Chennai. By Gayathridevi, J (2015). Masters thesis, Padmasree College of Nursing, Walajabad.

The results showed that the effectiveness of Reflexology on pain level reduced to mild (83.3%) & moderate (6.7%). Activity of daily living is improved in High level activity (96.7%) and middle level activity (3.3%). It shows that significant at P<0.001 in the experimental group. This shows the net benefit of this study. CONCLUSION: Reflexology was effective complementary therapy for Osteoarthritis patients to decrease pain and improve the activity of daily living.

 

2004

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Analysis on Therapeutic Effects of Reflexology on Rheumatoid Arthritis. By Lingyun, Z., Yuru, Y., Yuehong, W., 2004 China Symposium Reflexology Report, pages 25-28.

Nine cases were markedly effective, 13 cases were effective, and one was ineffective. Joint pain and tenderness obviously improved, as well as joint swelling. No obvious change in joint deformity. Functional disturbance was remarkably improved. It is clear that reflexology combined with natural therapies can bring about satisfactory therapeutic effects on Rheumatoid arthritis.

 

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Analysis on the Abnormal Signs on the Feet of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. By Lingyun, Z., Yuru, Y., Yuehong, W.,   2004 China Symposium Reflexology Report, pages 33-39.

Through three treatment courses of foot reflexology, symptoms and signs of abnormal foot conditions were relieved; foot temperature raised in 90% of the cases, tenderness on reflex areas relieved or disappeared in 80% of the cases; granule, cord, and nodules were reduced in 20% of the cases; corn and cyst of one case disappeared. In rheumatoid arthritis patients, cold feet accounted for 95%; muscular tension 47%; abnormal soles 95%; abnormal toes 65%; and joint impairment 43%.

 

2002

PERIARTHRITIS OF SHOULDER,

Clinical Observation of Treatment of 130 cases of Periarthritis of Shoulder by Foot Reflexotherapy Combined with Acupuncture.. By Zhijua, H.,  2002 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing, China Reflexology Association, pages 29-30.

Total effective rate of Group A (acupuncture) was 83%, while that of Group B (acupuncture and reflexotherapy) was 94%. The therapeutic effect of Group B was better than that of Group A.

 

RHEUMATOID DISEASE, FATIGUE, PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTION, WOMEN

Treatment of Rheumatoid Disease with Reflexotherapy. By Zhimin, H., 2002 China Reflexology Symposium Report, pages 33-34.

Therapeutic effect was significant after 13 months of daily treatment (Foot Reflexotherapy & Acupressure). General physiological function was recovered fundamentally.

1996

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, WOMEN

Effect of Foot Reflexo-massage on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Chi, J., 1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing : China Reflexology Association, pages 93-94.

It was found that foot reflexology can improve blood and lymphatic circulation, strengthen immune function, reduce ischemia and hypoxia of arthropathic limbs but should be used with caution or avoided in cases of uncontrolled acute inflammation. Foot reflexology was found to be effective for the relief of symptoms associated with Rheumatoid arthritis.

 1993

KNEE ARTHRALGIA, PAIN

Treatment of Knee Arthralgia with Foot Reflexology: An Analysis of 17 Cases. Chen, G., 1993 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing , China Reflexology Association, page 37.

Foot reflexology was shown to have some success in relieving knee arthralgia; particularly acute cases without other complications.

 

ARTHRALGIA, PAIN, WOMEN

Observation on Therapeutic Effects of Four Cases with Faradotherapy on the FRZ for Lymph Nodes of Upper and Lower Body. B Gong, X.,  1993 China Reflexology Symposium Report, Beijing, China Reflexology Association, pages 48-50.

Foot reflexology has been shown to be effective for the relief of rheumatic pain.