Abstract

Background: Palm Reflexology Therapy (PRT) is a traditional complementary and alternative therapy applied in the treatment of various diseases and used especially in pain management to reduce pain in many health conditions.In the present study, the possible immediate effects of PRT on random blood glucose (RBG) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were investigated.

Methods: Fifteen patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are included in the study. A GlucoRite Portable glucometer was used to measure the RBG levels. Measurement of RBG levels were obtained 20 minutes before and after PRT.

Results: The mean scores of RBG in study group were 253.93 (SD=103.973) before and 212.47 (SD=89.415) after PRT and their mean pre SBP were 133 (SD=10.657) and post SBP were 128.67 (SD=9.796) and their mean pre DBP were 83.53 (SD=7.160) and post DBP were 81.20 (SD=5.894) and their mean pre PR were 81.33 (SD=5.287) and post PR were 77.80 (SD=4.724) after PRT. The decrease of RBG scores between pre- and post-tests were statistically significant (P=0.001) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that PRT has therapeutic potential to apply in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.