Analgesic Effects of Reflexology in Patients Undergoing Surgical Procedures: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The effect of massage therapy on pain after surgery: A comprehensive meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Findings on the usefulness of massage therapy (MT) in postoperative pain management are often inconsistent among studies.

OBJECTIVES

This study's aim is to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to clarify the effects of massage therapy in the treatment of postoperative pain.

METHODS

Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for RCTs published from database inception through January 26, 2021. The primary outcome was pain relief. The quality of RCTs was appraised with the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. The random-effect model was used to calculate the effect sizes and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 % confidential intervals (CIs) as a summary effect. The heterogeneity test was conducted through I². Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Possible publication bias was assessed using visual inspection of funnel plot asymmetry.

RESULTS

The analysis included 33 RCTs and showed that MT is effective in reducing postoperative pain (SMD, -1.32; 95 % CI, -2.01 to -0.63; p = 0.0002; I² = 98.67 %). A similar significant effect was found for both short (immediate assessment) and long terms (assessment performed 4-6 weeks after the MT). Remarkably, we found neither the duration per session nor the dose had an impact on the effect of MT and there seemed to be no difference in the effects of different MT types. In addition, MT seemed to be more effective for adults. Furthermore, MT had better analgesic effects on cesarean section and heart surgery than orthopedic surgery.

LIMITATIONS

Publication bias is possible due to the inclusion of studies in English only. Additionally, the included studies were extremely heterogeneous. Double-blind research on MT is difficult to implement, and none of the included studies is double-blind. There was some heterogeneity and publication bias in the included studies. In addition, there is no uniform evaluation standard for the operation level of massage practitioners, which may lead to research implementation bias.

CONCLUSIONS

MT is effective in reducing postoperative pain in both short and long terms.

Almond oil: A comprehensive review of chemical composition, extraction methods, preservation conditions, potential health benefits, and safety

Almond oil, a rich source of macronutrients and micronutrients, is extracted for food flavorings and the cosmetics industry. In recent years, the need for high-quality and high-quantity production of almond oil for human consumption has been increased. The present review examines the chemical composition of almond oil, storage conditions, and clinical evidence supporting the health benefits of almond oil. From the reviewed studies, it appears that almond oil contains a significant proportion of poly and monounsaturated fatty acids, with oleic acid as the main compound, and an important amount of tocopherol and phytosterol content. Some variations in almond oil composition can be found depending on the kernel's origin and the extraction system used. Some new technologies such as ultrasonic-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, subcritical fluid extraction, and salt-assisted aqueous extraction have emerged as the most promising extraction techniques that allow eco-friendly and effective recovery of almond oil. This safe oil was reported by several clinical studies to have potential roles in cardiovascular risk management, glucose homeostasis, oxidative stress reduction, neuroprotection, and many dermatologic and cosmetic applications. However, the anticarcinogenic and fertility benefits of almond oil have yet to be experimentally verified.

A pragmatic case series of clients living with medically diagnosed migraines self-referred to reflexology

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Migraine affects approximately 2% of the population of the UK with around 190,000 people experiencing a migraine daily. This study investigated the effectiveness of reflexology on migraine symptoms provided under pragmatic, personally funded conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data was gathered on a case series of 20 reflexology clients with medically diagnosed migraine. All participants self-referred to a member of the Association of Reflexologists (AoR). The Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP) was completed at each appointment. All participants received six reflexology sessions.

RESULTS

In terms of an improvement in the overall MYMOP profile, 75% (n = 15) of clients had an improvement of two or more points. The minimal clinically important difference for the MYMOP change score is 1.0; this was achieved by 90% (n = 18) of participants. The mean difference in scores for each of the MYMOP aspects was calculated and the greatest improvement was found with symptom 1, their chosen primary symptom, which changed an average of 3.40 points (95% CI: 2.35, 4.45.) CONCLUSION: The results indicate the potential for reflexology to relieve the symptoms of migraine.