Assessing the Impact of Walking on a Foot Reflexology Path on Autonomic Function: A Feasibility Study.

Abstract

Background: Traditional foot reflexology impacts autonomic function by applying pressure to the foot. However, evidence of walking on foot reflexology path and its influence on autonomic function was limited.

Primary study objective: The study aimed to ascertain whether walking on a foot reflexology path was feasible and how this would affect autonomic function.

Methods: This was a randomized, counterbalanced, open-label crossover trial. 24 healthy volunteers recruited, aged 18 - 26 years, were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n = 12 in each). After a washout period of 2 days, they switched to receive the opposite phase of intervention.

Setting: A holistic health centre in southern India.

Intervention: Walking on a foot reflexology path or walking on a plain surface for 15 minutes.

Outcome measures: Measures include feasibility, blood pressure, and heart rate variability. Participants were assessed at baseline, during walking, and 5 minutes after intervention.

Results: All participants completed the study with no adverse events, indicating the feasibility of the study. Participants were comfortable walking without any deviation in the horizontal and vertical accelerometry. There was a significant decrease in mean RR interval and percentage of differences between adjacent normal heartbeats that are greater than 50 milliseconds during walking on foot reflexology path and walking on plain surface compared to pre-intervention values (P < .05). At post-intervention, a significant increase in mean RR and percentage of differences between adjacent normal heartbeats that are greater than 50 milliseconds (P < .05) was noted, along with a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure only after walking on reflexology path when compared with pre-intervention values (P < .05).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that walking on foot reflexology path is feasible and potentially helps to regulate cardiac vagal tone by reducing blood pressure and increasing heart rate variability compared to walking on plain surface.