Determination of Efficacy of Reflexology in Managing Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Table 3

Comparison of the status of reflexology areas** at baseline and at end of follow-up period (reflexology group: 𝑁=29).

Associated clinical symptoms recorded	Status of abnormal reflexology areas; (RAs) (abnormal features*)	Frequency (percentage)		P value
		Baseline data; 𝑛 (%)	Follow-up data; 𝑛 (%)
Subjective poor energy level, loss of self-confidence, frustration, inability to perform paid work, inability to perform daily tasks, and so forth (assessed through neuroQoL instrument [34, 35])	Energy balance; (tenderness); abnormality
	(present)	27 (93.10)	3 (10.34)	0.001
	(not present)	2 ( 6.90)	26 (89.66)
Swollen feet	Lymphatic system; (tenderness); abnormality
	(present)	25 (86.21)	4 (13.79)	0.001
	(not present)	4 (13.79)	25 (86.21)
Stress, anger, worry, depression, maniac, anxiety, restlessness, nervousness	Solar plexus; (concavity, tenderness, change in skin colour); abnormality
	(present)	25 (86.21)	7 (24.14)	0.001
	(not present)	4 (13.79)	22 (75.86)
Low back pain	Lumbar vertebrae; (concavity, tenderness, change in skin colour); abnormality
	(present)	21 (72.41)	6 (20.69)	0.001
	(not present)	8 (27.59)	23 (79.39)
Abnormal nocturia, micturition, syncope while coughing, coughing, sneezing, burning sensation during urination	Urinary bladder; (convexity, tenderness, change in skin colour); abnormality
	(present)	24 (82.76)	7 (24.14)	0.001
	(not present)	5 (17.24)	22 (75.86)
Nausea and vomiting, dyspepsia, constipation, lack of appetite, sour belching, indigestion [40]	Stomach; (tenderness, feeling of the presence of tiny granules); abnormality
	(present)	20 (68.96)	7 (24.14)	0.001
	(not present)	9 (31.03)	22 (75.86)
Sleep disturbance: monophasic; biphasic; polyphasic	Brain; (tenderness, feeling of the presence of tiny granules, change in skin colour); abnormality
	(present)	17 (58.62)	9 (31.03)	0.063
	(not present)	12 (41.38)	20 (68.96)
Poor glycemic control abnormal blood glucose (fasting and postprandial)	Pancreas; (tenderness, feeling of the presence of tiny granules, change in skin colour); abnormality
	(present)	27 (93.10)	6 (20.69)	0.027
	(not present)	2 ( 6.90)	23 (79.39)
Pricking sensation like needles and pins, shooting and stabbing pain, throbbing sensation in legs, unsteadiness while standing and walking and so forth (assessed through neuroQoL instrument [34, 35])	Sciatic nerve; (concavity, tenderness, change in colour); abnormality
	(present)	21 (72.41)	5 (17.24)	0.001
	(not present)	8 (27.58)	24 (82.76)

∗Abnormal features, as mentioned against each RA in this table, were present either alone or in combination.
**Two patients (61 yrs and 65 yrs, duration of diabetics Mellitus > 10 yrs and neuropathy duration > 5 yrs) did not show any abnormally visible features on the foot reflexology areas.