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\"The classic reflexology reference with new material and new illustrations\"--Provided by publisher.

IntroductionGastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy usually suffer from fatigue, which may affect different aspects of their lives.ObjectiveThe current study aimed to investigate the effect of massage therapy on fatigue after chemotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer patients.MethodIn this quasi-experimental study, 88 gastrointestinal cancer patients were randomly allocated into two groups of intervention and control. Patients received the chemotherapy for 3 h. The intervention group received four sessions of foot massage with an interval of 40 min during the chemotherapy. The massage duration was 7 min for each foot. Fatigue was measured using the visual analogue scale to evaluate fatigue severity just after and 24 h after the chemotherapy. Friedman and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 59/18 ± 9/35, and the most common type of cancer was gastric cancer (40%). There was a significant difference in the mean score of fatigue between the two groups immediately after (P > 0.001) and 24 h after chemotherapy (P < 0.001). In the intervention group, fatigue score decreased gradually (P = 0.031), while it increased in the control group (P = 0.001).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that foot massage, as a simple method, could reduce chemotherapy-induced fatigue.

Hypertension in pregnant women is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally, particularly in developing countries. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments in reducing blood pressure in pregnant women with hypertension. The articles analyzed were sourced from multiple databases between 2013 and 2023, focusing on hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and non-pharmacological treatments. After screening and eligibility assessment, six relevant studies were included. The results revealed that non-pharmacological interventions, such as yoga therapy, Qur'anic recitation (Murottal therapy), lavender aromatherapy combined with classical music, the Go-Yoga application, and foot massage with warm water immersion infused with lemon, effectively lowered blood pressure in pregnant women. These interventions primarily work by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and improving cardiovascular function and hormonal balance. In conclusion, non-pharmacological treatments offer safe and effective alternatives for managing hypertension during pregnancy. However, further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm their long-term safety and efficacy. L'hypertension chez les femmes enceintes est l'une des principales causes de morbidité et de mortalité maternelles dans le monde, en particulier dans les pays en développement. Cette revue systématique évalue l'efficacité des traitements non pharmacologiques pour réduire la tension artérielle chez les femmes enceintes hypertendues. Les articles analysés proviennent de plusieurs bases de données entre 2013 et 2023, se concentrant sur les troubles hypertensifs pendant la grossesse et les traitements non pharmacologiques. Après sélection et évaluation de l'éligibilité, six études pertinentes ont été incluses. Les résultats ont révélé que les interventions non pharmacologiques, telles que la yogathérapie, la récitation coranique (thérapie Murottal), l'aromathérapie à la lavande associée à la musique classique, l'application Go-Yoga et le massage des pieds par immersion dans de l'eau chaude infusée au citron, ont efficacement réduit la tension artérielle chez les femmes enceintes. Ces interventions agissent principalement en favorisant la relaxation, en réduisant le stress et en améliorant la fonction cardiovasculaire et l'équilibre hormonal. En conclusion, les traitements non pharmacologiques offrent des alternatives sûres et efficaces pour la prise en charge de l'hypertension pendant la grossesse. Cependant, des recherches supplémentaires sur des échantillons plus importants sont nécessaires pour confirmer leur innocuité et leur efficacité à long terme.

\"What if you could reverse disease--or learn how to avert it before its onset? What if, instead of aging, you could feel younger, stronger, and happier with each passing year? What if you could maintain your health for your entire life? What if all the secrets to health and longevity were on the soles of your feet? The wisdom in this book has been passed down from master to student for thousands of years, but now you too can benefit from the powerful Eastern practice of Chinese reflexology. This ancient therapeutic art of foot massage offers you a way to harness Universal Qi, a limitless source of healing energy, and restore yourself to balance, harmony, and health. Holistic healer and reflexologist Holly Tse brings new light to this millennia-old practice and reveals the curative power of Chinese reflexology in a friendly and contemporary way. Using clear illustrations and delightful step-by-step instructions, she'll embolden you to use this extraordinary process and take you on a journey through the three catalysts to incredible healing that encompass mind, body, and soul: shifting the mind, healing with energy, and following your heart and soul. Sole Guidance is a fun, vibrant, and easy-to-understand guide to complete self-transformation from the inside out. Learn how to hear your inner guidance, connect with your \"Dragon Spirit,\" discover what your body needs to heal and thrive, and revolutionize your life--simply by massaging your feet!\"-- Provided by publisher.

Background Long-term recovery of patients undergone cervical spine surgery is of paramount importance to improve their quality of life. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of foot massage on relieving pain and anxiety of patients with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods Enrolled patients undergone ACDF and diagnosed with anxiety disorder at least six months before surgery were treated with 10-min foot massage on a daily basis for four weeks using sweet almond oil. Patients were assessed by neck pain visual analog pain scale (NP-VAS), neck disability index (NDI) and self-rating anxiety scale. Results More significant relief in NP-VAS was observed in patients who received foot massage treatment. No significant difference in NDI reduction was seen in patients with or without the treatment. Intervention group demonstrated less anxiety during follow-up ( p  = 0.021) compared to the control group and more reduction compared to baseline ( p  = 0.046). In terms of quality of life, while both groups demonstrated improvement in pain relief ( p  = 0.015 for the intervention group and p  = 0.037 for the control group), only the intervention group showed improved mental function ( p  = 0.031). Conclusion This study found that foot massage was effective in alleviating pain and anxiety, while improving quality of life in patients undergone ACDF, indicating that this intervention should be considered in the clinical management of these patients.

Sexual problems of hemodialysis patients are one of the most significant factors affecting their quality of life and families. On the other hand, an essential part of the quality of life is the quality of sexual life and sexual dysfunction that will affect people's perception of the quality of sexual life. Reflexology massage is one of the complementary and alternative therapies combined with conventional medical treatments to reduce disease and treat its complications. This study aimed to determine the effect of foot reflexology on hemodialysis patients' quality of sexual life. This was a parallel randomized sham-controlled trial which conducted in hemodialysis center of Imam Reza (AS) Hospital in Sirjan, Iran. Forty-seven patients under hemodialysis were divided into two groups of foot reflexology (n = 24) and sham (n = 23) using block randomization method. The intervention group received foot reflexology treatment during dialysis for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, 30 min each time (15 min per foot). In the sham group, non-specific foot massage was conducted without squeezing the standard points of reflexology with the same conditions and duration as the intervention group. Quality of sexual life was assessed using female sexual quality of life questionnaire (SQOL-F) and male sexual quality of life questionnaire (SQOL-M) before the intervention, immediately, and one month after the intervention. The results showed that the quality of sexual life of participants in the reflexology group immediately after the intervention (69.74) was significantly higher than before (47.73) and one month after the intervention (52.27). There was no significant difference in the average quality of sexual life of participants in the sham group at different times (before intervention 46.67, immediately after intervention 45.66, and 1 month after intervention 48.18). Immediately after the reflexology intervention, the quality of sexual life was significantly higher than in the sham group (p < 0.001). This study highlights the potential benefit from reflexology in improving the quality of sexual life in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Trial registration IRCT20200712048085N1. Registered 15 July 2020, https://en.irct.ir/trial/49604

This study focused on the effects of aroma foot massage on sleep quality and constipation relief among older adult residents in nursing facilities. This research used a non-equivalent control group and a quasi-experimental design. The participants included 40 older adults aged ≥70 years residing in two nursing facilities in Seoul City. The aroma foot massage nursing intervention consisted of a preparation stage using jojoba carrier (aroma recipe) oil and lavender oil, an aroma foot massage stage, and a finishing stage. Sleep quality scores after the experiment increased by 3.72 at post-test (M = 38.44) compared to pre-test (M = 34.72), which confirmed that sleep quality improved significantly following intervention in the experimental group as compared to the control group (F = 14.45, p = 0.001). Furthermore, the frequency of defecation in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (Z = −3.93, p < 0.001). Similarly, the constipation assessment scores decreased at post-test significantly by 2.39 in the experimental group as compared to the control group (F = 17.87, p < 0.001). These results confirm that aroma foot massage is an effective nursing intervention for alleviating constipation symptoms and improving sleep quality. Therefore, we recommend that aroma foot massage be used as a complementary intervention in combination with drug-based treatment to improve sleep quality and relieve the constipation symptoms experienced by older adults living in nursing facilities.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by systemic inflammation, joint damage, and persistent pain, particularly in older adults. The debilitating nature of RA significantly impairs individuals' quality of life, leading to diminished independence and increased reliance on pharmacological interventions. While pharmaceutical treatments play a crucial role in managing RA symptoms, complementary and alternative therapies, such as massage, have garnered attention for their potential to alleviate pain and improve overall well-being. This study adopts a descriptive approach to examine the efficacy of foot massage as an intervention for RA-related pain in older adults. Two participants diagnosed with RA were selected for the case study. Family nursing care principles were integrated into the intervention to provide holistic support. Pain scale assessments were conducted before and after each foot massage session to measure changes in pain intensity. Analysis of the data revealed a significant reduction in pain intensity among participants following the foot massage sessions. Pain levels decreased from moderate to mild, indicating the efficacy of  foot massage in alleviating RA-associated pain in older adults.The findings of this study support the notion that foot massage can serve as a viable intervention for managing RA-related pain in older adults. The mechanisms underlying the efficacy of foot massage, including its ability to stimulate vasodilation and enhance endorphin production, highlight its potential therapeutic benefits for individuals grappling with RA. Foot massage emerges as a promising adjunctive therapy for alleviating pain and improving the well-being of older adults living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Integrating foot massage into holistic care approaches can enhance pain management strategies and contribute to the overall quality of life for individuals affected by this debilitating condition. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and optimal frequency of foot massage in RA management.

: Chronic hypertension is a significant health issue that can result in serious adverse cardiovascular events. There is inadequate evidence to confirm the beneficial effects of aroma foot massage and reflexology on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in individuals with hypertension. Consequently, this study sought to investigate the immediate impact of a combination of foot massage, reflexology, and aromatherapy on BP and HR in hypertensive patients. : Twenty hypertensive patients (mean age: 48.05 ± 7.88 years) were divided into two groups: a control group ( = 10) and an experimental group ( = 10). The experimental group engaged in self-administered foot massage and reflexology while inhaling lavender essential oil aromatherapy. In contrast, the control group remained in a private room without the use of aromatherapy. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured before and after a 15-minute intervention period. : Both BP and HR significantly decreased in both groups after intervention. However, the percentage change of HR in the experimental group was significantly greater than in the control group ( = 0.001). : These results indicated that a single session of self-administered aroma foot massage and reflexology may reduce heart rate in patients with hypertension. This information could help mitigate the risk of cardiovascular events in such patients.