Document Type : Original article
Authors
1
Master of Corrective exercise and Sports injuries, Department of Physiology Education Sports Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
2
Department of Exercise Physiology and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
3
Exercise physiology and corrective exercises, faculty of sport science, urmia university
Abstract
Background and Aims: Flat foot are associated with complications such as pain, fatigue and loss of balance. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of 8 weeks of foot reflexology massage on balance, arch and pain in girls aged 14 to 18 years with flat foot.
Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental research, 30 girls with flat foot voluntarily and in were selected and randomly divided into two equal experimental and control groups. The foot reflexology massage program consisted of eight weeks (three sessions per week) of foot reflexology massage on the entire sole of both feet, in which two to three relaxation techniques were used in each session, according to the condition of the subject, for a duration of six minutes. Twenty four hours before the start and 24 hours after the end of the massage therapy protocol, foot arch, dynamic balance, static balance and pain intensity, respectively, using the index of Navicular Drop Test, Star Excursion Balance Test, Balance Error Scoring System and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was evaluated. Data analysis was done with ANCOVA test at a significance level of 0.05
Results: The results showed that reflexology massage has a significant effect on static balance (P=0.0001) and pain intensity (P=0.0001) of young girls with flat foot. However, no significant effect was observed on the arch of the foot (P=0.38) and the dynamic balance (P=0.36).
Conclusion: Reflexology massage improves the proprioceptive information of the skin. Accordingly, it has had a positive effect on improving static balance and reducing the pain intensity of girls with flat foot.
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