NCT04516005

Effect of Foot Reflexology on Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Effect of Foot Reflexology on Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Stage-2 Hypertensive Patients

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 94 (actual)
• Sponsor: Khon Kaen University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Hypertension (HT) has been known for its prominent risk of cardiovascular events. Although there are various pharmacological choices, many patients fail to adhere with them. Therefore, adjunctive non-pharmacological treatment is a promising approach. Foot Reflexology is one of a complementary therapies that has been proved for its ability to decrease blood pressure (BP), however, there is limited data in patients with stage-2 HT. We aimed to examine the effectiveness of foot reflexology as adjunctive therapy for BP lowering. This was a single-center randomized clinical trial. Hypertensive patients who were regularly followed up at the hypertension clinic were enrolled and randomized into the intervention group (n=47) and control group (n=47). Foot reflexology was performed in the intervention group during a clinical visit. Office BP and pulse rate (PR) were measured before and immediately at 15 minutes (min) and 30 min after the procedure in the intervention group and after resting in the control group.

Detailed description

Background Hypertension (HT) has been known for its prominent risk of cardiovascular events. Although there are various pharmacological choices, many patients fail to adhere to them. Therefore, adjunctive non-pharmacological treatment is a promising approach. Foot Reflexology is one of the complementary therapies that has been proved for its ability to decrease blood pressure (BP), however, there is limited data in patients with stage-2 HT. Objective To examine the effectiveness of foot reflexology as adjunctive therapy for BP lowering. Methods This was a single-center randomized clinical trial. Hypertensive patients who were regularly followed up at the hypertension clinic were enrolled and randomized into the intervention group (n=47) and control group (n=47). Foot reflexology was performed in the intervention group during a clinical visit. Office BP and pulse rate (PR) were measured before and immediately at 15 minutes (min) and 30 min after the procedure in the intervention group and after resting in the control group.

Conditions

• Reflexology, Hypertension, Acupressure, Traditional Medicine

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	foot reflexology	Acupressure was applied at the plantar side of the right foot at the first metatarsal bone, around 1-1.5 centimeters proximal to the first metatarsophalangeal joint. (Figure 2) Approximately 3-kilogram pressure was applied by using a knuckle of the right index finger (dorsal part of the proximal interphalangeal joint in flexing position) in a perpendicular manner and held for 15 seconds (sec) then released for 5 sec. This hold-release cycle was done 5 times over the course of 2 min. This method was recommended by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine in accordance with the Zone theory and the Meridian theory.

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-11-01
• Primary completion: 2016-05-31
• Completion: 2016-10-31
• First posted: 2020-08-17
• Last updated: 2020-08-17