Why the study?
Does foot reflexotherapy reduce pain and improve postural balance in elderly individuals with low back pain?
Does foot reflexotherapy reduce pain and improve postural balance in elderly individuals with low back pain?
Foot reflexotherapy may be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing pain and disability in elderly patients with low back pain.
Supports foot reflexotherapy as non-pharmacological option for elderly low back pain; extends RCT evidence beyond conventional massage.
INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the effects of foot reflexotherapy on pain and postural balance in elderly individuals with low back pain. DESIGN: = 20) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: individuals submitted to conventional foot massage (control group) or foot reflexotherapy (RT, intervention group) for a period of 5 weeks. Questionnaires on pain and disability (visual analogue scale [VAS] and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ]), heart rate variability, and orthostatic balance and baropodometric analysis were assessed at two intervals: before and after intervention. RESULTS: RT group showed statistically significant differences when compared to control group in the following parameters: decrease in VAS scores for pain throughout the study, decrease in parasympathetic activity, and improvement in RMDQ scores. The two groups did not statistically differ in either orthostatic balance or baropodometric analyses. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that foot reflexotherapy induced analgesia but did not affect postural balance in elderly individuals with low back pain.
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Oliveira et al. (2017) studied this question.
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