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Foot reflexotherapy induces analgesia in elderly individuals with low back pain: a randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study
de Oliveira BH, de Abreu da Silva AQ, Ludtke DD, Madeira F, da Silva Medeiros GM, Parreira RB, Salgado AFI, Belmonte LAO, Cidral-Filho FJ, Martins DF
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2017;(2378973):Epub
clinical trial
7/10 [Eligibility criteria: No; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: Yes; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the effects of foot reflexotherapy on pain and postural balance in elderly individuals with low back pain. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled pilot study. Participants (n = 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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