Pressure differences during foot reflexology affect blood flow to brain and kidneys

Authors

  • Kanokwan Srisupornkornkool Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
  • Titipong Kaewlak Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
  • Watchara Kaewmahanil Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
  • Sompiya Somthavil Faculty of Sports Science, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
  • Onuma Boonyarom Faculty of Sports Science, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
  • Kanjana Jittiporn Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Keywords:

Blood flow, different pressure, foot reflexology

Abstract

Background: Foot reflexology has been re-emerging as one of the most popular forms of alternative therapy. Although the mechanisms of reflexology have not been apparently understood yet, physiological changes can be found from reflexology, e.g., reduced blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and activated brain functions. However, there are still only a small number of studies on the physiological relationships between foot reflexology and changes in blood flow.

Objectives: This investigation aimed to study the effects of brain-associated and kidney-associated foot reflexology on blood flow to the brain and kidneys. The second objective was to examine the effects of pressure differences to reflex points on blood flow to the brain and kidneys.

Methods: Fifty participants were divided into 2 groups, including an experimental group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 25). Brain and kidney reflex points were pressed until found maximum resistance in the experimental group or lightly touched in the control group. Peak systolic velocity to the brain and kidneys was monitored by Doppler ultrasound, both during and after reflexology.

Results: For the brain, blood flow rate during brain-associated reflexology was significantly higher than that of kidney-associated reflexology in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Also, blood flow rate to the brain in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). For the kidneys, only the blood flow rate during kidney-associated reflexology was significantly higher than that of brain-associated reflexology at the right foot (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Brain-associated and kidney-associated foot reflexology could increase blood flow to the corresponding organs in that zone.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Robinson N, Lorenc A, Lewith G. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) professional practice and safety: A consensus building workshop. Eur J Integr Med 2011;3:e49-53.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2011.05.011

Field T. Massage therapy research review. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2014;20:224-9.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.07.002

Stephenson NL, Dalton JA. Using reflexology for pain management: a review. J Holist Nurs 2003;21:179-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010103021002007

Kozier B, Glenora E, Audrey B, Shirlee S. Fundamental of nursing. 8th ed. South Asia: Dorling Kindersley;2008.

Kaur J, Kaur S, Bhardwaj N. Effect of 'foot massage and reflexology' on physiological parameters of critically ill patients. Nurs Midwifery Res J 2012;8:223-33. https://doi.org/10.1177/0974150X20120305

Frankle BSM. The effect of reflexology on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, blood pressure and sinus arrhythmia. Complement Ther Med 1997;5:80-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0965-2299(97)80003-9

Sudmeier I, Bodner G, Egger I, Mur E, Ulmer H, Herold M. Changes of renal blood flow during organ-associated foot reflexology measured by color Doppler sonography. Forsch Komplementarmed 1999;6:129-34. https://doi.org/10.1159/000021238

Mur E, Schmidseder J, Egger I, Bodner G, Eibl G, Hartig F, et al. Influence of reflex zone therapy of the feet on intestinal blood flow measured by color Doppler sonography. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2001;8:86-9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000057201

Park HS, Cho GY. Effect of foot reflexology on essential hypertension patients. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi 2004;34:739-50. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2004.34.5.739

Lee YM. Effect of self-foot reflexology massage on depression, stress response and immune functions of middle aged women. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi 2006;36:179-88.

https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2006.36.1.179

Qauttrin R, Zanini A, Buchini S, Turello D, Annunziata MA, Vidotti C, et al. Use of reflexology foot massage to reduce anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients in chemotherapy treatment: methodology and outcomes. J Nurs Manag 2006;14:96-105. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2934.2006.00557.x

Moeini M, Kahangi LS, Valiani M, Heshmat R. The effect of reflexotherapy on patients' vital signs before coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2011;16:8-12.

Srisupornkornkool K, Punyapuck J, Inprang T, Nakdee K, Boonyarom O, Somthavil S. Effect of foot reflexology on brain corresponding areas during simple reaction time in healthy adults. Chula Med J 2017;61:401-11.

Wongcharoen C, Incee W, Thajoy S, Rassameejan S, Kowitthayanon K, Somthavil S, et al. Effects of different pressure at foot reflexology areas of brain on electroencephalogram in healthy adults. Chula Med J 2018;62:831-42.

Marquardt H. Reflex zone therapy of the feet: a comprehensive guide for health professionals. Rochester: Healing Arts Press; 2010.

Diego MA, Field T, Sanders C, Hernandez-Reif M. Massage therapy of moderate and light pressure and vibrator effects on EEG and Heart rate. Int J Neurosci 2004;114:31-44.

https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450490249446

Thongpa S, Songwathana P, Sae-Sia W. Comparison of femoral venous blood flow velocity after foot reflexology and automatic intermittent pneumatic calf compression in traumatic patients. Thai J Nurs Council 2012;27:127-41.

Lorist MM, Snel J, Kok A, Mulder G. Influence of caffeine on selective attention in well-rested and fatigued subjects. Psychophysiology 1994;31:525-34.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1994.tb02345.x

Tzambazis K, Stough C. Alcohol impairs speed of information processing and simple and choice reaction time and differentially impairs higher-order cognitive abilities. Alcohol Alcohol 2000;35:197-201.

https://doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/35.2.197

Field A. Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. 4th ed. Los Angeles: Sage Publications; 2013.

Jones J, Thomson P, Irvine K, Leslie SJ. Is there a specific hemodynamic effect in reflexology? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Altern Complement Med 2013;19:319-28.

https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0854

Peterson EC, Wang Z, Britz G. Regulation of cerebral blood flow. Int J Vasc Med 2011;2011:823525.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/823525

Sakakibara M, takeuchi S, Hayano J. Effect of relaxation training on cardiac parasympathetic tone. Psychophysiology 1994;31:223-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1994.tb02210.x

Guan L, Collet JP, Yuskiv N, Skippen P, Brant R, Kissoon N. The effect of massage therapy on autonomic activity in critically ill children. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:656750.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/656750

Misulis KE, Head TC. Essentials of clinical neurophysiology. 3rd ed. Butterworth Heinemann;2003.

Diego MA, Field T. Moderate pressure massage elicits a parasympathetic nervous system response. Int J Neurosci 2009;119:630-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450802329605

Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM. Principles of neural science. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2000.

Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M. Moderate pressure is essential for massage therapy effects. Int J Neurosci 2010;120:381-5. https://doi.org/10.3109/00207450903579475

Downloads

Published

2023-07-19

How to Cite

1.
Srisupornkornkool K, Kaewlak T, Kaewmahanil W, Somthavil S, Boonyarom O, Jittiporn K. Pressure differences during foot reflexology affect blood flow to brain and kidneys. Chula Med J [Internet]. 2023 Jul. 19 [cited 2024 Nov. 6];65(2). Available from: https://he05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/CMJ/article/view/125