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This popped up on my desk yesterday, and I thought it might be of

interest to the current thread.

Alan BROWN

MELBOURNE

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scientific Evidence of Reflexology's Effectiveness

by Barbara & Kunz, Reflexology Research Project

The ability of reflexology work to influence health has been questioned

due to a lack of scientific evidence. According to Evidence Based

Medicine Guidelines (www.ebm-guidelines.com/scientific.html)

<http://www.ebm-guidelines.com/scientific.html>, material is judged by

the level of evidence. Levels of evidence include:

*A: strong research-based evidence*: several relevant, high-quality

scientifc studies with homogeneous results

*B: moderate research-based evidence*: at least one relevant,

high-quality study or several adeqaute studies

*C: limited research-based evidence*: at least one adequate scientic study

*D: no scientific evidence.*

To some, the very definition of reflexology provides the beginnings of

scientifically proving its effectiveness. Reflexology is the application

of pressure techniques to the feet and hands. The net result of

technique application is impact on the propriocptors of the feet and

hands. Proprioceptors sense pressure, stretch and movement. Such

perception is important to the body's ability to sense body postion,

create movement and allocate nutrients appropriate for intended

movement. The sensory input of technique application is utilized to

determine actions of the autonomic nervous system.

The following controlled studies each show a measured impact of

reflexology work on the body. In all, forty-five controlled studies of

reflexology have been conducted as of May 2004.

Free Radicals

To consider the mechanism at work with foot reflexo-massage (FRM),

Chinese researchers conducted a controlled study on the impact of FRM on

" human antioxidation ability. " The control group consisted of twenty

medical students with normal health, 10 males and 10 females, ages 20 +1

years (M+SD). The treated group consisted of 56 patients with various

disorders, 30 males and 26 females, ages 30 to 70 years.

The control group received a 30 to 40 minute session each day for 10

days. The treated groups received the same treatment but " symptomatic

reflexes and related reflexes " were worked for a longer time and with

more strength. For both groups, 3 ml. of heparininzed venous blood was

collected before and after the session. Tests were conducted for

measures of antioxidation: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione

peroxidase (GP) and malonyl (MDA).

*Conclusion:* Foot reflexology work was found to achieve a therapeutic

effect on the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of

diseases, decreasing free radicals that create damage on the cell level

and increasing antioxidants that conteract damage.

Results: Effects of Foot Reflexo-Massage on Free Radicals

I. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) before and after therapy

*Group Number Pretherapy Posttherapy t P*

*Control* 20 197.1+ 51.9 267.3+

41.1 4.70 < 0.01

*Treated* 56 297.4+ 122. 1

430.9+123.9 6.59 <0.01

II. Glutathioneperoxidase (U, M+SD) before and after therapy

*Group Number Pretherapy Posttherapy t P*

*Control* 20 23.88+ 1.58 28.70+ 1.70 5..6

<0.01

*Treated* 56 21.11+ 2.21 29.88+ 2.70

4.3 <0.

III. MDA (nmol/ml, M+SD) before and after therapy

*Group Number Pretherapy Posttherapy t P*

*Control* 20 8.9+ 3.6 4.5+ 2.4

4.6 <0.01

*Treated* 56 11.2+ 2.6 5.9+ 2.3

11.4 <0.01

IV. Total serum antioxidative ability (TSAOPA) before and after

*Group Number Pretherapy Posttherapy t P*

*Control* 20 30.1+ 3.6 37.4+ 2.4

7.5 <0.01

*Treated* 56 22.3+ 3.1 36.9+ 2.3

7.9 <0.01

The authors hypothesize that " ... FRN acts as beneficial stimulus to

bring about a series of physiological responses. In normal condition

(health) the continuous production and elimination of free radicals (FR)

maintains a balanced state, in which the concentration of FR is very low

and unharmful to the body. In pathological states, the balance is

disrupted, the overproduced FR's will damage the body. The associations

between FR and diseases, such as radiation injury, cancer and aging,

have been reported, and is further supported by our results.

" The FRM increased the serum antioxidative enzymes and activities in

both control and treated groups. The decrease of MDA, an end product of

lipid peroxide, may be the result of physical stimulation of FRM on the

nerve fibres and receptors, which relax the local tissue, improve the

systemic blood circulation and metabolism, decrease the production of

FRs, increase the production of antioxidative enzymes (SOD and GP) and

achieve the therapeutic effect. On the other hand, the reduction in FRs

can prevent the therapeutic effect on biological membranes, therefore

decrease lipid peroxides, and the serum MDA as well. The decrease on FR

production and increase in antioxidative enzymatic activity enhance the

total antioxidative system (enzymatic and nonenzymatic), this mechanism

underlies the increased TSAOA in our subjects. " In generalization, Foot

reflexo-massage can decrease the free radicals. "

Shouqing, Gui; Changlong, Zhang; Jixai, Dong and Desheng, Luoof, " A

Preliminary Study on the Mechanisms of Foot Reflexo-Massage & emdash; Its

Effect on Free Radicals, " /1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report/,

China Reflexology Association, Beijing, pp. 128-135

Cervical spondylosis

A total of 80 cases diagnosed with nerve root type or vertebral artery

type of cervical spondylopathy were divided into a control group of 28

and a treatment group to 52. The control group was treated with traction

while in a seated position " with the neck flexed anteriorly of 20-30

degrees in a traction frame with the occipus and maxilla fixed with

bandage " for twenty minutes once a day.

Results: Changes of blood biochemical parameters in the two groups

before and after treatment

Treatment Group (n=52)

Items Before therapy After therapy

t P

*SOD(u/g.Hb)* 275.4+ 67.4 425.9 + 124.3 4.70 < 0.001

*GSH-PX(u)* 20.71+ 2.2 29.88+ 3.5

15.976 <0.001

*MDA (nmol/ml* 10.1+ 2.6 5.6+ 1.8

10.25 <0.01

*Total antioxidative ability *21.9+ 3. 36.5+ 4.7 10.51 <0.01

Control Group (n=38)

Items Before therapy After therapy

t P

*SOD(u/g.Hb)* 265.4+ 46.6 300.3 + 59.3

2.855 < 0.01

*GSH-PX(u)* 20.95+ 2.06 23.17+ 2.3

4.438 <0.001

*MDA (nmol/ml)* 9.8+ 2.4 8.2+ 2.4

2.909 <0.01

*Total antioxidative ability *22.1+ 2.8 27.4+ 2.9 8.104 <0.01

The treatment group received a 30 - 40 minute session of foot

reflexology once a day for twelve days (except Sunday). Results: There

was no significant difference between the control (92.1% effectiveness)

and treatment (98.1% effectiveness) groups for clinical effectiveness

but the clinical cure rate was higher in the treatment group (48.1%)

than the control group (28.95%). A difference was also found in free

radicals in the two groups. Before the study the two groups showed no

significant difference in blood SOD, GHtal antioxidation activities and

MDA content. After treatment the parameters related to free radicals

showed significant or quite significant in comparison of the treatment

group to the control group.

Shouqing, Gui; Changlong, Zhang and Desheng, Luo, " A Controlled Clinical

Observation on Foot Reflexology Treatment for Cervical

Spondylopathy, " /1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report/, China

Reflexology Association, Beijing, pp. 99-103

*Hyperlipimia*

Hyperlipimia

Doctors Shou-qing, Xian-qing, Yuna-zhong, and Wan-yan, conducted a study

of 72 cases of hyperlipemia with a treated group of 41 and a control

group of 31. Before and after the treatment session, 4 ml of " empty

stomach blood " was collected. One group received a series of

reflexo-therapy sessions of more strength and lasting 30 to 40 minutes.

The control group received a 20 minute session with a forehead pillow

application of iodineiontophoresis.

*Conclusion:* The reflexo-therapy group showed an improvement of

symptoms of 78% as opposed to 32% for the second group with headache,

insomnia, palpitation or poor memory. The treatment group showed a

reduction in cholesterol and monoglyceride with a marked statistical

difference.

Results: Changes of blood fat before and after treatment

Treatment Group Control Group

Items Before After

Before After

*Ch (cholesterol)* 7.2 _+ _ 1.3 6.4 _+ _ 1.3 7.1 _+

_ 1.4 6.5 _+ _ 1.6

*TG (triglyceride)* 2.5_+ _ 0.4 2.1 _+ _ 0.7 2.5 _+

_ 0.8 2.3 _+ _ 0.6

*ApoA *1.68 _+ _ 0.35 1.55 _+ _ 0.33 1.71

_+ _ 0.42 1.52_+ _ 0.38

*ApoB * 0.67 _+ _ 0.31 0.81 _+ _ 0.42 0.66

_+ _ 0.34 0.83 _+ _ 0.37

Shou-qing, Gui; Xian-qing, Xiao; Yuna-zhong, Li; and Wan-yan, Fu,

" Impact of the Massotherapy Applied to Foot Reflexes on Blood Fat of

Human Body, " /1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report/, China

Reflexology Association, Beijing, pp. 21-23

Hyperlipimia

186 cases of hyperlipemia were randomly divided into four groups: (A)

foot reflexology a 30-40 minute session 5 or 6 times a week), (B)

kinesitherapy (4 to 5 times per week: 25 minutes of walking, 20 minutes

of slow running, or 6 to 7 minutes 2 or 3 times per day of step

aerobics), © ion-intorduction therapy (30 minutes per day), and (D)

pharmacology (the drug lipunthyl). Groups A, C and D showed remarkable

reduction in cholesterol. Group A and D had strong effect on

triglyceride. " If one can insist on proper physical exercies

and/reflexotherapy plus a balanced diet (low fat, low calorie), it is

possible to prevent and treat arteriosclerosis, coronary atherosclerotic

cardiopathy, cerebral thrombosis and cerebral apoplxy efficiently. " Note

results of foot reflexology and exercise (kinesitherapy). Groups A and B.

Results: The effect of four therapies on blood fat

Group Cholesterol * Triglyceride*

ApoA ApoB

_before treatment_

* A (N+58) * 7.1_+ _ 1.1 2.75 _+ _ 1.02 1.63 _+

_ 0.41 1.12 _+ _ 0.38

* B (N=30) * 6.8 _+ _ 1.55 2.52 _+ _ 1.42 1.68 _+

_ 0.35 1.09_+ _ 0.25

* C (N=58) * 6.9 _+ _ 1.5 2.73 _+ _ 0.98 1.61 _+

_ 0.49 1.17 _+ _ 0.34

* D (N=40) * 7.3 _+ _ 1.44 2.64 _+ _ 0.87 1.66 _+

_ 0.37 1.19_+ _ 0.32

_after treatment_

* A (N=58) * 5.9_+ _ 1.4 2.02 _+ _ 1.75 1.75 _+

_ 0.31 0.86 _+ _ 0.25

* B (N=30) * 5.6_+ _ 1.3 2.23 _+ _ 1.36 1.64 _+

_ 0.25 1.19_+ _ 0.26

* C (N=58) * 6.3 _+ _ 1.98 2.57 _+ _ 1.53 1.58 _+

_ 0.44 1.21 _+ _ 0.39

* D (N=40) * 5.03 _+ _ 1.16 2.08 _+ _ 1.43 1.79 _+

_ 0.08 0.91_+ _ 0.17

Shou-qing, Gui; Yuna-zhong, Li; Xian-qing, Xiao; Chen Shengping and Gu

Xuejauna (The People's Hospital, Xianning District, Hubei Province), Zhu

Shanhan, Liao Enguang (The People's Hospital of Hubei Province) and Luo

Desheng (Xianning College of Medicine, Hubei Province), " Impact of the

Massotherapy Applied to Foot Reflexes on Blood Fat of Human Body, " /1998

China Reflexology Symposium Report/, China Reflexology Association,

Beijing, pp. 34-37

Intestinal Function

Austrian researchers previously documented that blood flow to the

kidneys improved with reflexology technique application. Now, the

members of the same group have shown improvement of blood flow to the

intestines following reflexology technique application. Once again a

controlled, randomized study has demonstrated that application of

reflexology technique to reflex areas of the feet has an influence on a

reflected body part. Moreover, the researchers are hypothesizing that

the mechanism of action at work in reflexology is improved blood flow.

" An influence on organ-associated blood flow is considered as a possible

mechanism of action of reflex zone massage of the feet (FRZM) therapy.

In the present study we investigated whether changes in intestinal blood

flow can be achieved by FRZM. Material and Methods: 32 healthy adults

(19 women and 13 men) were randomly assigned to the treatment or the

placebo group. Subjects of the treatment group received foot massage on

the zones assigned to the intestines and those of the placebo group

received massage on zones unrelated to the intestines. Before, during

and after FRZM, the blood flow velocity, the peak systolic and the end

diastolic velocities in the superior mesenteric artery as well as the

resistive index as a parameter of vascular resistance were calculated.

Results: During FRZM, in the subjects of the treatment group there was a

significant reduction in the resistive index (p = 0.021), suggesting an

increase in the blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery and the

subordinate vascular system. In contrast, there were no significant

changes in the resistive index in the subjects of the placebo group.

Conclusion: The reduction in the resistive index observed in the

treatment group supports the assumption that FRZM improves blood flow in

the organs considered to be associated with the specific foot zones, at

least during the therapy process. "

J, Egger I, Bodner G, Eibl G, Hartig F, Pfeiffer KP, Herold M.,

" Influence of reflex zone therapy of the feet on intestinal blood flow

measured by color Doppler sonography, " [Article in German] /Forsch

Komplementarmed/ Klass Naturheilkd. 2001 Apr;8(2):86-9.

(Universitatsklinik fur Innere Medizin, Innsbruck, Austria) (Copyright

2001 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg (Mur E, Schmidseder) PMID: 11340315

Kidney Function

Kidney function improves after the application of reflexology work.

" Using colour (sic) Doppler sonography blood flow changes of the right

kidney during foot reflexology were determine in a placebo-controlled,

double blind, randomised (sic) study. 32 healthy young adults (17 women,

15 men) were randomly assigned to the verum or placebo group. The verum

group received foot reflexology at zones corresponding to the right

kidney, the placebo group was treated on other foot zones. Before,

during and after foot reflexology, the blood flow of three vessels of

the right kidney was measured using colour Doppler sonography. Systolic

peak velocity and end diastolic peak velocity was measured in cm/s, and

the resistive index a parameter of the vascular resistance, was

calculated. The resistive index in the verum group showed a highly

significant decrease (p</=0.001) during and an increase (p=0.001) after

foot reflexology. There was no difference between men and women and no

difference between smokers and non-smokers. Verum and placebo groups

significantly differed concerning alterations of the restive index, both

between the measuring points before versus during foot reflexology

(p=0.002) and those during versus after reflexology (p=0.031). The

significant decrease of the resistive index during foot reflexology in

the verum (treatment) group indicates a decrease of flow resistance in

the renal vessels and an increase of renal blood flow. These findings

support the hypothesis that organ-associate foot reflexology is

effective in changing renal blood flow during therapy. "

(PMID: 14060981, UI: 99392031)Sudmeier, I., Bodner, G., Egger, I., Mur,

E., Ulmer, H. and Herold, M. (Universitatsklinik fur Innere Medizin,

Innsbruk, Austria) " Anderung der nierendurchblutung durch

organassoziierte reflexzontherapie am fuss gemussen mit farbkodierter

doppler-sonograhpie, " /Forsch Komplementarmed /1999, Jum;6(3):129-34

(PMID: 14060981, UI: 99392031)

Diabetes

32 cases of type II diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into two

groups. One group was treated with conventional Western medicine

hypoglycemic agent plus foot reflexotherapy (FR), the other group with

the same medicine only (WM). After 30 days' treatment, fasting blood

glusoce levels, patelet aggregation, length and wet weight of the

thrombus, senility symptom scores and serum lipid peroxide (LPO) were

greatly reduced in the FR group (P,0.05-0.01), while no significant

change was observed in the WM group. The study suggested that foot

reflexotherapy was an effective treatment for type II diabetes mellitis.

Wang, X. M., " Type II diabetes mellitus with foot reflexotherapy, "

/Chuang Koh Chuang Hsi I Chief Ho/ Teas Chi, Beijing, Vol. 13, Sept.

1993, pp 536-538 (First Teaching Hospital, Beijing) (PMID: 8111210 )

Constipation

Forty residents of a " lodging house of the aged people " were studied for

effects of foot reflexology on digestive processes. 20 were diagnosed as

constipated and 20 were not. Five days before the foot reflexology

treatment all were given a carbon tablet and observed for the length of

time required to begin and end black stool. All received 10 days of foot

reflexology treatment. The carbon tablet was administered again and a

comparison was made between the elimination times before the treatment

and after. After treatment, the interval between taking the carbon

tablet and first black stool for the constipation group changed from an

average of 45 hours to an average of 34 hours. The interval until last

black stool changed from 77 hours to 51.5 hours. The non-constipation

group remained unchanged in average times for first black stool and

changed from 57.5 hours to 46 for last black stool after hours after

treatment.

Yuru, Yang; Lingyun, Chao; Guangling, Meng; Scuwe, Cao; Jia-Mo, Hao and

Suhui, Zhang, " Exploring the Application of Foot Reflexology to the

Preventions and Treatment of Functional Constipation, " /1994 China

Reflexology Symposium Report/, China Reflexology Association, Beijing, p. 62

Uroschesis (retention of urine)

Forty cases were divided into two groups randomly. Of the forty, 34

could not urinate 3 to 4 hours after surgery on the cranium or brain and

6 could not urinate in 5 hours. Those of the control group listened to

the sound of flowing water, massage was applied to the urinary bladder

and other conditional reflexes were applied. Foot Reflexotherapy was

applied for thirty minutes to those in the observation group. Results of

study: 65% of the control group could excrete urine within 10 minutes of

treatment as opposed to 30% of the control group. 25% of those in the

observation group could excrete urine but not completely within 10 to 30

minutes of treatment as opposed to 45% of the control group. 10 of the

observation group were unable to urinate 30 minutes after treatment as

opposed to 25% of the control group.

Cailian, Lin, " Clinical Observation on Treatment of 40 Cases of

Uroschesis with Reflexology, " /1998 China Reflexology Symposium Report/,

China Reflexology Association, Beijing, pp. 52 - 53

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Georgiou Chrisostomos wrote:

>

>

> Whenever it comes to alternative therapies, I find the definition of

> Pseudoscience always useful:

>

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoscience

> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoscience>

>

> Use of vague, exaggerated or untestable claims

> Over-reliance on confirmation rather than refutation

> Lack of openness to testing by other experts

> Lack of progress

> Personalization of issues

> Use of misleading language

>

> Even if a 10% of alternative therapies was correct, I still consider

> them to be a lack of time, money and energy.

>

> Chrisostomos Georgiou

> Ioannina, Greece.

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Guest guest

Hi, Mr Brown,

I appreciate the fact, that you posted some research to support your

opinion, and not a personal story. But I am still suspicious for many

reasons. I cite some of them below. Lets don't stick on reflexology,

since I have the same opinion for every alternative therapy (of course

with no offense to the supporters).

1) Who did fund the study? Was it the government, a pharmaceutical

company, sb else who would benefit? (If I remember correct, studies

from pharmaceutical companies have 10 times more significant important

results than government studies). I am sure, sb could guess the

results by reading the journals title: " China Reflexology Association "

2) In epidimiology, there is a bias known as " reverse tower of Babel

bias " in which most of the locally produced and published literature is

spuriously statistically significant. Have a look

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9551280

Isn't it true that reflexology has it's roots in china?

3) Of course we are not epidimiologists. So big organizations do the

work for us. One well known is Cochrane Collaboration

http://www.cochrane.org/. You can hardly find an effective

alternative therapie in there!! Thats because they consider only well

designed studies.

4) Last but not least, reflexology is not based on physiology, so it

does not make sense. There aren't any " mirracle " therapies who can do

so many things (and so irrelevant with one another) as these you

posted nor will there be.

Georgiou Chrisostomos

Ioannina Greece

> >

> >

> > Whenever it comes to alternative therapies, I find the definition of

> > Pseudoscience always useful:

> >

> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoscience

> > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoscience>

> >

> > Use of vague, exaggerated or untestable claims

> > Over-reliance on confirmation rather than refutation

> > Lack of openness to testing by other experts

> > Lack of progress

> > Personalization of issues

> > Use of misleading language

> >

> > Even if a 10% of alternative therapies was correct, I still consider

> > them to be a lack of time, money and energy.

> >

> > Chrisostomos Georgiou

> > Ioannina, Greece.

>

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