Effect of Reflexology on Lipoproteins in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, RANA M. TAWFIK, ZAHRA HASSAN, NESREEN EL-NAHAS and AYMAN SOLIMAN
Abstract
Background: Lipoproteins level increases in non-insulin dependent patients especially in obese patients. Objective of this study was to determine the effect of reflexology on lipoproteins level in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Purpose of the Study: To investigate effect of reflexology on lipoproteins in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: Thirty obese diabetic women participated in this study chosen from Dar El-Salam Public Hospital. The patients were assigned into two equal groups. Each group included 15 patients. The patients in both groups were matched in age ranged from (45-55 years old) and body mass index ranged from (30 to 34.9Kg/m2), and blood glucose level (>200 mg/dl) with measuring lipoproteins level pre and post-treatment for both groups. For both groups the patients received medi-cations according to their physicians, while Group A received a program of foot reflexology for 4 weeks with frequency 3 times/week with their medications.
Results: The data revealed a statistically decrease in lipoproteins level in Group A than in Group B after treatment (p<0.05), total cholesterol decreased by 5.99% in Group A while Group B decreased by 1.69%.
Low density lipoproteins in Group A decreased by 7.37%, Group B decreased by 2.46%. High density lipoproteins decreased by 0.61% in Group A, and decreased by 1.8% in Group B. Triglycerides in Group A decreased by 12.95% while Group B decreased by 3.77%.
Conclusion: Foot reflexology had valuable effect on lipoproteins level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus except for high density lipoproteins.