Análise da reflexologia podal em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 – ensaio clínico, controlado e randomizado

Abstract

Changes in the neuromotor and somatosensory systems of patients with Diabetes Mellitus are common, and different therapeutic approaches aim to mitigate the consequences related to these complications. Foot reflexology is a therapeutic and integrative method of easy application and low cost that uses stimuli in reflex areas of the feet, through pressure applied to specific points. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of foot reflexology in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is a controlled and randomized clinical trial. The sample consisted of 17 volunteers, of both sexes, with a clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The volunteers were allocated into two groups: control group (n = 7), which received information about foot care and health and intervention group (n = 10), which received the application of foot reflexology in specific areas of the feet, according to the foot cartography for ten consecutive days. For evaluation and reevaluation, the following were used: visual analog scale, surface electromyography

(EMG), baropodometry and stabilometry, and the cardiofrequency meter. For statistical analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used, ANOVA with 1 factor for continuous variables and Chi square for categorical variables. The Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon test for variable EVA, EMG and HRV; and the repeated measure ANOVA test for baropodometry and stabilometry. There was no statistically significant difference for intra- and intergroup demographic data. As for the pain variable, there was an improvement in symptoms, showing significant intra and intergroup results. EMG data showed better muscle activation in the isotonic contraction of the right and left GL muscle in the intervention group. Stabilometry demonstrated results for dynamic balance with eyes closed within the group. Baropodometry and HRV did not show any significant difference between and within groups. It is concluded that the real effect of foot reflexology was promising for foot pain in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.