Sole Point Reflexology

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Interesting research!

Summary: This research study compares reflexology to rock music and classical music in terms of the effect on the brain state. Reflexology is better at relaxing the brain than either of the two music types (no surprise there) but surprisingly rock music is better than classical. Surprising until you realise that the participants are all 17-23 years old. So I think the take-home message is that reflexology on its own is relaxing on a brain chaos level but if you are going to add some music then make it music that the client actually likes!

Reference: Biomed Eng Online. 2004 Mar 16;3(1):7. doi: 10.1186/1475-925X-3-7.
Nonlinear analysis of EEG signals at different mental states
Kannathal Natarajan 1, Rajendra Acharya U, Fadhilah Alias, Thelma Tiboleng, Sadasivan K Puthusserypady
Free PMC article

Abstract
Background: The EEG (Electroencephalogram) is a representative signal containing information about the condition of the brain. The shape of the wave may contain useful information about the state of the brain. However, the human observer can not directly monitor these subtle details. Besides, since bio-signals are highly subjective, the symptoms may appear at random in the time scale. Therefore, the EEG signal parameters, extracted and analyzed using computers, are highly useful in diagnostics. This work discusses the effect on the EEG signal due to music and reflexological stimulation.
Methods: In this work, nonlinear parameters like Correlation Dimension (CD), Largest Lyapunov Exponent (LLE), Hurst Exponent (H) and Approximate Entropy (ApEn) are evaluated from the EEG signals under different mental states.
Results: The results obtained show that EEG to become less complex relative to the normal state with a confidence level of more than 85% due to stimulation.
Conclusions: It is found that the measures are significantly lower when the subjects are under sound or reflexologic stimulation as compared to the normal state. The dimension increases with the degree of the cognitive activity. This suggests that when the subjects are under sound or reflexologic stimuli, the number of parallel functional processes active in the brain is less and the brain goes to a more relaxed state.
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15023233/
Full open access paper; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC400247/

Nonlinear analysis of EEG signals at different mental states - PubMed It is found that the measures are significantly lower when the subjects are under sound or reflexologic stimulation as compared to the normal state. The dimension increases with the degree of the cognitive activity. This suggests that when the subjects are under sound or reflexologic stimuli, the nu...

👣Friday Research👣

In an analysis of nearly 4,000 participants, it was concluded that foot reflexology produced significant improvements in sleep disturbances.

This is a relatively big meta-analysis for in reflexology terms - it includes 3,928 participants. Foot reflexology produced significant improvements in sleep disturbances.
doi: 10.1111/jan.14699. Epub 2020 Dec 8.. 2021 Apr;77(4):1683-1697.J Adv Nurs
Can foot reflexology be a complementary therapy for sleep disturbances? Evidence appraisal through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Hui-Chuan Huang 1, Kee-Hsin Chen 2 3 4, Shu-Fen Kuo 1, I-Hui Chen 1
Affiliations expand
PMID: 33615535
DOI: 10.1111/jan.14699
Abstract in English, Chinese
Aims: To systematically summarize and quantify the effects of foot reflexology on improvements in sleep disturbances.
Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Data sources: Datasets including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, CINAHL and two Chinese electronic databases (i.e., AiritiLibrary and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were used to search from their inception to 31 January 2019.
Review methods: Studies which were randomized controlled trials that reported changes in sleep disturbances after the intervention among adults over 18 years old and written in the English or Chinese language were included. Two reviewers' independently assessed the eligibility, extracted data, and conducted a quality assessment. Based on the extracted data, two separate meta-analyses were performed.
Results: Forty-two articles with a total sample of 3,928 participants were included in the systematic review and were eligible for the meta-analysis. The most commonly employed outcome measurement tool was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, followed by the therapeutic effect between the intervention and control groups (as evaluated by participants with sleep problems compared with those without sleep problems in each group after the intervention). Results revealed that foot reflexology resulted in a greater reduction in the sleep quality score compared with the controls (Hedges' g = -1.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -1.81~-0.94). As for the therapeutic effect, participants in the intervention group were less likely to have sleep problems than those in the control group (pooled odds ratio = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.19 ~ 0.31).
Conclusion: The findings suggested that foot reflexology produced significant improvements in sleep disturbances.
Impact: Foot reflexology is a non-invasive and convenient intervention and regularly receiving foot reflexology can be considered complementary therapy to improve the sleep quality of adults with sleep disturbances. Furthermore, healthcare providers can actively press the solar plexus and heart zones to alleviate sleep disturbances when performing foot reflexology.

Abstract here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33615535/

Can foot reflexology be a complementary therapy for sleep disturbances? Evidence appraisal through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - PubMed Foot reflexology is a non-invasive and convenient intervention and regularly receiving foot reflexology can be considered complementary therapy to improve the sleep quality of adults with sleep disturbances. Furthermore, healthcare providers can actively press the solar plexus and heart zones to all...

👣Friday Research👣

Summary:
In a study of 100 women undergoing total hysterectomy surgery, comparing control to reflexology, the reflexology group had lower than average pain and anxiety at all assessment times.

Reference: Avci N, Oskay U. Effect of Reflexology on Decreasing Postoperative Pain and Anxiety After Total Abdominal Hysterectomy. Holist Nurs Pract. 2023 Mar-Apr 01;37(2):78-89. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000570. PMID: 36790422.

Abstract
Surgical patients experience both postoperative pain and anxiety, as they try to cope with pain. Despite technological advances, pharmacological methods are inadequate for decreasing postoperative pain and anxiety. Reflexology has been implemented and considered effective in these areas in many countries. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of reflexology on decreasing postoperative pain and anxiety after a hysterectomy. The study was an intervention randomized study. The population of the investigation is all patients who had a hysterectomy between February 2012 and December 2014 in the Istanbul University Obstetrics and Gynecology service. The sample was 100 women chosen after a power analysis (minimum: 74) (experimental: 54, control: 46) within the population of the investigation who agreed to participate in the study. Using a table of random numbers, patients in the sample were divided into groups. Data was collected using the patient information and vital signs form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain and Anxiety Scales, and BRIEF pain inventory. All women in the groups had similar sociodemographic, obstetric, and pain characteristics, past experience of illness, and characteristics related to their hysterectomy. All of the patients in the reflexology group stated that reflexology helped them feel better. The reflexology group compared with the control group had lower than the average VAS pain and VAS and STAI anxiety at all assessment times. Reflexology is effective in reducing anxiety and pain.
Abstract here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36790422/
Purchase full paper here: https://journals.lww.com/hnpjournal/Abstract/2023/03000/Effect_of_Reflexology_on_Decreasing_Postoperative.6.aspx

Effect of Reflexology on Decreasing Postoperative Pain and Anxiety After Total Abdominal Hysterectomy - PubMed Surgical patients experience both postoperative pain and anxiety, as they try to cope with pain. Despite technological advances, pharmacological methods are inadequate for decreasing postoperative pain and anxiety. Reflexology has been implemented and considered effective in these areas in many coun...