Effect of Reflexology on Pain and Pulmonary Function in Patients with Cervical Spondylosis

Background: Reflexology is a form of complementary medicine techniques that is known to be used in pain management, relief of tension and fatigue, and improving psychological status of patients suffering various conditions. The effect of reflexology on cervical spondylosis chronic pain and related respiratory dysfunction is not yet addressed.Objective: To study the effects of reflexology on pain and ventilatory parameters in patients with cervical spondylosis.Methods: Thirty patients with cervical spondylosis were assigned to Reflexology (RL) group (11 men and 4 women), and control group (11 men and 4 women). Mean age in RL group was 59.93±4.36, and in control group was 57.66±3.37. Patients in both groups were assessed pre-treatment and post-treatment at the end of 4 weeks for pain using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and ventilatory function tests that included VC, FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC. The reflexology group received 3 sessions/week (45 minutes each) for 3 weeks.Results: Pain significantly improved at post-treatment than pre-treatment in RL group. Likewise pain was significantly less than the control group at post-treatment assessment. Ventilatory function tests did not show any significant difference neither within groups comparing pre and post-treatment assessment nor between groups comparing pre and post-treatment assessments in both groups.Conclusion: Pain intensity but not ventilatory parameters is improved by application of reflexology in patients with cervical spondylosis.