Guest guest Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 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), ( 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 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. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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