The effect of ۸ weeks of foot reflexology massage on balance, plantar flexion and pain in young people with flat feet

This study was aimed at investigating the impact of ۸ weeks of foot reflexology massage on balance, plantar arch, and pain in girls aged ۱۴ to ۱۸ years with flat feet. This quasi-experimental study’s subjects included ۳۰ girls (aged ۱۵.۱ ± ۱.۱ years, with height of ۱۵۶.۱ ± ۲.۴ cm, and weight of ۴۷.۳ ± ۲.۲ kg) with flat feet, voluntarily selected by available and random method, and after matching in terms of complication severity and anthropometric characteristics, assigned to two experimental and control groups of ۱۵. Assessment of the plantar arch was done by the navicular drop test, dynamic balance was assessed by the Star Excursion Balance Test, static balance was assessed by balance error scoring test, and pain intensity was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS). The program of foot reflexology massage included eight weeks (three sessions per week) of reflexology massage of the foot sole of the on all the soles of both feet. In each session, two to three relaxation techniques were employed based on the subject’s conditions for six minutes. The amount of plantar arch, static and dynamic balance, and pain intensity were measured in the subjects ۲۴ hours before the onset and ۲۴ hours after the end of the massage therapy protocol. Data were analyzed by dependent t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) considering the first type error of α = ۵%. The study findings revealed that eight weeks of foot reflexology massage significantly affected the static balance (P = ۰.۰۰۰۱) and pain intensity (P = ۰.۰۰۰۱) in young people with flat feet; and in contrast, no significant change was observed on the subjects’ plantar arch (P = ۰.۳۸) and dynamic balance (P = ۰.۳۶). In the end, the results indicated that foot reflexology massage positively affected the improvement of static balance and reduction of pain intensity in girls with flat feet.

کلیدواژه ها:

Foot Reflexology Massage ، Balance ، Plantar Arch ، Pain ، flatfoot