A CONTROLLED CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON FOOT REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT FOR EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH STIMULATION OF THE REFLEXZONES OF THE FOOT WITH REGARD TO THE PROPHYLACTIC FLUNARIZIN TREATMENT OF PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM  CEPHALAEA HEADACHES

By A. Lafuente, M. Nouera, C. Puy, A. Molins, F. Titus and F.Sanz. Dr. Annemarie Kesselring, SBK,   Institut 

fur Pflegeforschung, Bern, Switzerland

Reflexology treatment twice a week for 2 - 3 months. They received between 12 and 30 treatments each

This study was devised as a blind random trial to verify whether reflexology is an effective prophylactic treatment for headaches. Thirty two patients, aged 15 - 57 years (mean age 39.7 years), who were sent to the cephalaea unit volunteered to participate in the study. There were 25 women and 7 men who were randomly assigned to two groups.

Group A received a glucose capsule placebo and received reflexology treatments. Group B underwent prophylactic Flunarizin treatment and was given massages of a non-specific zone twice a week for 12 sessions. Patients recorded on a monthly calendar during their treatment: the day that they had a headache, the level of severity on a scale of 1 to 4, and the duration in hours. A first check was conducted when the treatment of both groups was completed, and a second one three months later. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests showed no difference between the 2 groups regarding recovery and relapse.

* It was concluded that reflexology was as effective as Flunarizin prophylaxis and maybe classed as an alternative non-pharmacological therapeutic technique and is particularly appropriate to patients with contraindications to pharmacological treatment.

MIGRAINE & TENSION HEADACHES AND REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT

By National Board of Health Council, Denmark, 1995

Reflexology received over a three month period

This study aimed to ascertain the effectiveness of reflexology on migraine and tension headaches. 220 patients presenting headaches as their primary problem were treated by 78 reflexologists over a three-month time period. A consultant doctor diagnosed the type of headache before the study began. Patients completed a diary once a month prior to treatment and during the treatment time. Questionnaires were completed by the patient at the beginning and end of the series of treatments, and three months after the end of the series. Qualitative interviews were conducted at the end of the treatments. Results:

* 16% reported that they were cured,

* 65% said that reflexology had helped, and,

* 18% were unchanged.

* Conclusion: reflexology is able to cure or help both tension and migraine headaches in a significant number of patients.

REFLEXOLOGY AND MIGRAINE HEADACHES

Unpublished report available from FDZ Research Committee, Denmark

participants received foot reflexology treatments, an average of twelve sessions per patient.

Of 100 applicants, 20 of the worst cases were selected for the study. These patients had frequent migraine headache attacks, usually for several years, and had been treated with morphine, ketogan and albergin medications. The results of the study were based on the patient's evaluation of their own condition.

* 45% (9 persons) no longer had headaches;

* 30% (6 persons) felt considerable improvement;

* 10% (2 persons) felt a little better, and

* 15% (3 persons) felt no improvement.

REFLEXOLOGY AND SHOULDER, HEAD & NECK PAIN REDUCTION

Unpublished Report available through the FDZ Research Committee, Denmark

The 26 participants received 10 foot reflexology treatments.

Twenty-six persons, 19 females and 7 males (aged 17 - 71 years) who had suffered from pain 6 months to 30 years (average = 10 years) were selected to participate from forty applicants.

26 participants complained of neck pain before. After treatment:

* 50% (13 participants)  were pain free;

* 30.77% (8 participants) felt considerable effect;

* 7.69% (2 participants) felt little effect, and

* 11.54% (3 participants) felt no effect.

23 participants complained of shoulder pain before. After treatment :

* 34.78% (8 participants) were pain free,

* 43.48% (10 participants) felt considerable effect,

* 8.70% (2 participants) felt little effect, and

* 13.04% (3 participants) felt no effect.

23 participants complained about headaches before. After treatment:

* 47.83% (11 participants) were pain free,

* 26.09% (6 participants) felt considerable effect,

* 8.70% (2 participants) felt little effect, and

* 17.39% (4 participants) felt no effect from the treatment.

Other Results:

Four participants felt pain reduction in other areas of the body, improvement in allergy and asthma symptoms, increased energy and increased well-being. Many participants reduced or eliminated their need for medication.