BACKGROUND: To observe effect of massotherapy in reflex zone of feet on motor function and hemorrheology of patients with stroke and hemiplegia. METHODS: Cases were selected from the Department of Massage of the First Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2004 to May 2005. Totally 106 hemorrhagic and ischemic patients with stroke and early hemiplegia were divided randomly into observational group and control group with 53 in each group. Patients in control group were treated with routine Chinese and western medicine, but patients in observational group were treated with massotherapy in reflex zone of feet. Localization and selection of reflex zone: kidney-ureter-bladder, head, frontal sinus, cerebellum, brain stem and hypophysis. Patients were maintained at supine position. Reflex zones mentioned above were stimulated with pressing combined with pushing, rubbing and finger-nail pressing manipulation. Stimulated degrees such as soreness, tingling sensation, distending pain and ache were observed on patients but all of them could be beard. Patients with cardiac disease and weak body mass had a little stimulated sensation. Patients drank water as much as possible after operation. Each foot was treated for 20 minutes, and two feet for 45 minutes. Seven times were regarded as 1 course and the intervals were 3 days. All patients were treated for 3 courses. Simple Fugl-Meyer motor scale: grade I: severe motor disorder, scores of motor function < 50 points; grade II: obvious motor disorder, scores of motor function 50 to 84 points; grade III: moderate motor disorder, scores of motor function 85 to 95 points; grade IV: mild motor disorder, scores of motor function 96 to 99 points; grade V: normal, scores of motor function 100 points; Revised Barthel Index: poor: Barthel Index <= 40 points; moderate: Barthel Index = 41 to 60 points; well: Barthel Index > 61 points. hemorheological indexes such as whole blood viscosity of high shear rates, whole blood viscosity of low shear rates, serum viscosity, hematocrit and erythrocyte aggregation index were measured before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: Three cases in control group were lost because of acupuncture. Finally, 50 cases in control group and 53 in observational group entered the analysis. (1) Comparisons of motor function of limbs before and after treatment: After treatment, scores of motor function in observational group were more than those in control group (83.26 +/- 20.42, 67.34 +/- 9.33), and occupational rate above grade IV in observational group was significantly higher than that in control group (62%, 30%, p < 0.001). (2) Comparisons of activities of daily living (ADL) before and after treatment: After treatment, scores of ADL in observational group were more than those in control group (82.54 +/- 23.80, 60.53 +/- 25.37), and occupational rate above well degree in observational group was significantly higher than that in control group (72%, 42%, p < 0.05). (3) Comparisons of hemorheological indexes after treatment: Hemorheological indexes in observational group were improved remarkably, and there was significantly different from those before treatment (p < 0.05). There were also significant differences between the two groups after treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Massotherapy in reflex zone of feet can improve hemorheological indexes and recovery motor function and ADL ability of patients with stroke and hemiplegia.

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