Samuel, Carol (2011) An investigation into the efficacy of reflexology on acute pain in healthy human subjects. PhD thesis, University of Portsmouth.
Abstract - read it here
Though the whole paper is interesting and arises many thoughts-questions some stand out - at least for me.
iii) Chapter 5a - standard and light reflexology in an ice pain experiment. Thirty healthy volunteer subjects participated in this study to compare the effects of standard and light reflexology with a ‘no treatment’ control. Outcome measures were recorded for pain threshold (s), pain tolerance (s) and post treatment pre and post ice plunge heart rate (bpm). Subjects participated in one 45 min session each of standard and light reflexology and one 45 min control session consisting of no treatment given one week apart in a Latin square design. The results showed a significant increase in pain threshold following both standard and light reflexology and significant increases in pain tolerance for standard but not light reflexology. Pre-ice plunge, post treatment heart rates (bpm) were significantly lower following both standard and light reflexology and there was a transient decrease in heart rate post-ice plunge, post treatment for light reflexology.
vii) Miscellaneous Chapter – pressure applications in reflexology. This study was carried out using the Tactilus® Freeform Sensor system to measure the effects of three distinct pressure modes of reflexology: a) static, b) standard dynamic and c) light dynamic on four different regions of the foot sole: i) medial edge, ii) arch, iii) heel and iv) the ankle on different foot types. The data showed variations in average maximum pressure values according to the foot type and area treated.
Conclusion
Manually applied reflexology increases pain threshold and tolerance which seems to be independent of any changes in autonomic function.
Abstract - read it here
Though the whole paper is interesting and arises many thoughts-questions some stand out - at least for me.
iii) Chapter 5a - standard and light reflexology in an ice pain experiment. Thirty healthy volunteer subjects participated in this study to compare the effects of standard and light reflexology with a ‘no treatment’ control. Outcome measures were recorded for pain threshold (s), pain tolerance (s) and post treatment pre and post ice plunge heart rate (bpm). Subjects participated in one 45 min session each of standard and light reflexology and one 45 min control session consisting of no treatment given one week apart in a Latin square design. The results showed a significant increase in pain threshold following both standard and light reflexology and significant increases in pain tolerance for standard but not light reflexology. Pre-ice plunge, post treatment heart rates (bpm) were significantly lower following both standard and light reflexology and there was a transient decrease in heart rate post-ice plunge, post treatment for light reflexology.
vii) Miscellaneous Chapter – pressure applications in reflexology. This study was carried out using the Tactilus® Freeform Sensor system to measure the effects of three distinct pressure modes of reflexology: a) static, b) standard dynamic and c) light dynamic on four different regions of the foot sole: i) medial edge, ii) arch, iii) heel and iv) the ankle on different foot types. The data showed variations in average maximum pressure values according to the foot type and area treated.
Conclusion
Manually applied reflexology increases pain threshold and tolerance which seems to be independent of any changes in autonomic function.
