10/25/01 Research Edition
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©2001 Kunz and Kunz All rights reserved including electronic transmission.
Reflexology in Hospice Care A survey of the Internet shows that reflexology use in hospice and palliative care is wide spread around the world. From concerned family members and volunteers to paid professionals and institutions, the providing of reflexology services has grown to meet hospice goals: providing dignity, choices and control for each patient and family. Specific aims for reflexology work include: improving quality of life, coping with life-threatening illness, providing comfort, enhancing sense of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, achieving symptom control, and alleviating symptoms of pain and anxiety.
Among stories of reflexology use in palliative care told to the editors: A hospice nurse providing care to a woman at home received thanks for her reflexology work. The daughter noted that the reflexology work had alleviated her mother's dementia to the extent that she returned to her usual self and the daughter had one final weekend with her. A personal friend visited with her sister at a hospice facility during her final days and found that her reflexology work, a first-time experience, provided an opportunity to comfort on a touch level.
A groundbreaking study by Barbara Zeller-Dobbes in 1985 found that relatives reflexology work with their cancer-stricken family members comforted both. The family member felt that a contribution was being made to a loved-one's well-being. The patient experienced a tangible support from a loved-one. (Dobbs, Barbara Zeller, "Alternative health approaches," Nursing Mirror (England), Vol. 160, No. 9, Feb. 27, 1985)
Future issues surround employment of reflexologists and insurance payments for reflexology work. A recent study found that reflexology as applied to palliative care cancer patients did not warrant the hiring of a reflexologist to provide services. "While patients greatly enjoyed the treatments, there was no discernible defiance in outcome between those receiving reflexology and those receiving standard foot massage.… "Both treatments were administered weekly for six weeks by any one of three therapist, who had agreed standardized methods." (Cornbleet, Michael A.M "Research in complementary medicine is essential (Letter to the Editor), British Medical Journal, March 24, 2001)
Infertility and Reflexology Studied A clinical study of the possible impact of reflexology on infertility was launched at the Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, England in October 2000. One hundred fifty women will take part in the two year study. The volunteers will be offered eight reflexology sessions with half receiving a bogus treatment. Results will be compared to those obtained with the standard fertility drug clomifene. Dr. Jonathan Lord notes that the trial will focus on how many women ovulate after reflexology treatment and not on the number of pregnancies. "We're able to look directly at how effective reflexology is in prompting ovulation," he said. (Penn, Clare, "Hospital tries to boost fertility," Independent Digital (UK) Ltd., October 15, 2000)
Edema in Pregnancy and Reflexology Studied Midwives of the Central Coast of New South Wales in Australia "are conducting a randomized single-blind controlled trial on the effect of reflexology on foot and ankle edema in late pregnancy (over 32 weeks). A total of 80 women are randomized into" one of three groups: normal pregnancy visit (control), relaxation reflexology (placebo) or lymphatic drainage reflexology (treatment.). The sessions are 15-20 minutes at least once a week. The information gathered are pre- and post-treatment measurement of the ankle and instep, and blood pressure. The women answer a questionnaire at each session about comfort, changes in mood/feelings, and changes in relationship with midwife."
One quarter of the midwifery staff at the hospital are trained in reflexology, a 40-hour certificate course on reflexology and uses in midwifery practice endorsed by the national midwifery board. The staff trained with Susanne Enzer, author of Maternity Reflexology (1997) and Reflexology; A Tool for Midwives (2000). ("Midwifery around the World, Midwives of the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, Midwifery Today E-News, Vol. 3, Issue 7, February, 14, 2001) (http//midwiferytoday.com/enews3n7.asp)
Abstracts of Chinese Studies Abstracts of studies by members of the China Reflexology Association are available. The manuscripts are:
• Manuscript of 1994 China Reflexology Symposium (specify English) $20
• Manuscript of 1996 China Reflexology Symposium (specify English) $30
• Manuscript of 1998 China Reflexology Symposium (specify English) $40
• Manuscript of 2000 China Reflexology Symposium (specify English) $40
To order (1) send a travelers check through the Post Office to Ms. Zhang Hongjing, P. O. Box 2002, Beijing 100026 China OR (2) Transfer money through your bank to Bank of China, Jian-Guo-Men-Wai Office, Beijing, China Account number 4101600-2114-004179-8 under the name of Ms. Zhang Hongjing.
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