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Research Studies Evaluating the Effectiveness
of Reflexology for Gastrointestinal Conditions:

EXPLORING THE APPLICATION OF FOOT REFLEXOLOGY FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION.
By Yang Yu-Ru, Chao Ling-Yun, Meng Guan-Ling, cao Su-wen, Hao Jia-Mo, and Zhang Suhui

This study evaluated the effectiveness of foot reflexology in treating functional constipation. Forty subjects, 18 males and 22 females, aged 48 - 90 years, mean age 70 years, were used for the study. Twenty subjects were diagnosed as having constipation; the other 20 subjects were free of constipation. The time elapsed between taking a carbon tablet and the last black stool eliminated was recorded pre and post treatment. Ten 30 - 40 minute reflexology sessions were administered every other day for treatment. Frequency and features of stool excretion, administrating of laxative medicine, diet and appetites were all recorded. From statistical analysis of the data it was concluded that foot reflexology had a remarkable effect in shortening the emptying time of the digestive tract, and, that foot reflexology is highly effective in curing functional constipation.
USING REFLEXOLOGY TO RELIEVE CHRONIC CONSTIPATION
By Leila Ericksen, FDZ Research Committee

Twenty female subjects were selected from 257 female applicants. The selected subjects had suffered constipation from 5 - 54 years, with an average of 24.6 years. Subjects completed questionnaire pre and post treatment. Before, during and after treatment daily observation charts registering the frequency of defecation and stool consistency were completed. Subjects received two treatments a week for four weeks, with a minimum of two days between treatments, then, one treatment a week for seven weeks, for a total of 15 treatments. Prior to treatment defecation occurred on an average of every 4.1 days. After treatment the average defecation occurred every 1.8 days. 40% of subjects experienced painful defecation prior to treatments, none after treatments. 50% of subjects obtained normal stool consistency after treatments, whereas none had before treatments. 85% reported a change in digestion. 55% reduced use of laxatives, and, of 19 women reporting other health problems, 15 (80%) reported a positive improvement in their other health problems.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE OF FOOT MASSAGE IN THE TREATMENT OF LIENTARY DIARRHEA
By Li Feng-chun, Sanitary Department Factory of PLA

Twenty-five males and twenty-two females from 3 months to 34 years old (mostly under 4 years old) had bowel movements 5 - 20 times a day from 2 hours to 3 days. Stools were yellowish green and watery, and the microscopical test was basically normal except for some WBC and fat cells. Four hours after massage the diarrhea stopped and the stool appearance returned to normal after six hours. All cases were relieved after one session. Foot Reflex Zones for digestive tract and lymphatic system were emphasized for treatment.
OBSERVATION OF CONSTRICTION EFFECT ON NORMAL HUMAN GALL BLADDER INDUCED BY FOOT REFLEX ZONE MASSAGE
By Duan Zhigrin, First Hospital of the Beijing Medical University

B-type ultrasonic examination was used to observe the change in gallbladder volume before and after foot reflex zone massage (FRZM). Subjects were 20 healthy people, 10 males & 10 females, aged 19 to 38 years. After FRZM there was strong constriction in 15%, constriction in 35%, lower constriction in 50%. (p < .001) This result, compared with traditional methods: CCK test, fat-food-meal test, etc. testifies the effectiveness of FRZM on physiologic function. It is concluded that FRZM helps to constrict gallbladder and gall excretion and has definite assets over other methods. Thus, it can be used as a therapy for gall tract diseases or digestive diseases in general, as well as a preventative measure against gallstone incidence.
AN OBSERVATION ON 60 CASES WITH CHRONIC SUPERFICIAL GASTRITIS TREATED BY FOOT REFLEXOLOGY COMBINED WITH HAND AND EAR REFLEXOLOGY
By Hao Jiamo, Senior Physician, Reflexology Association, Tianjin Branch.

Sixty patients, 50 females and 10 males, aged 18 - 72, who had been diagnosed with chronic superficial gastritis, were treated with a combination of foot, hand and ear reflexology. Treatment consisted of seven 40-minute sessions. Fibrogastroscopic examination pre and post treatment was used for evaluation of results. Results showed that for 22 (36.6%) there was complete disappearance of clinical symptoms, for another 30 (50%) there was a marked improvement of clinical symptoms. The remaining 8 (13.3%) there was only partial improvement of clinical symptoms.
FOOT REFLEX ZONE MASSAGE ALLEVIATES SYMPTOMS INDUCED BY CHEMOTHERAPY IN PULMONARY MALIGNANT TUMOUR PATIENTS
By Li Long Yun and Associates, Associate Professor of the Union Hospital, China

Twenty-one subjects were used in this study. Nine in the control group received chemotherapy. Twelve in the treatment group received chemotherapy and Foot Reflex Zone Massage (FRZM). The treatment group received 30 - 40 minute FRZM daily for 12 days. It was concluded that FRZM might play an important role in alleviating gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as anorexia, nausea and vomiting, and, that FRZM was found beneficial in managing adverse side effects induced by chemotherapy in patients with malignant tumors.

Research Studies Evaluating the Effectiveness of Reflexology for Gastrointestinal Conditions:

Research Studies Evaluating the Effectiveness
of Reflexology for Gastrointestinal Conditions: