Foot reflexology for reduction of blood pressure in hypertensive individual: A systematic review.

IMPORTANCE: Hypertension is the modifiable risk factor associated with cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality. Foot reflexology has been proposed to reduce the blood pressure for the patients with hypertension but the available evidences are uncertain. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, know the efficacy of foot reflexology on blood pressure reduction in patients with hypertension. DATA SOURCES AND SELECTION: A systematic search of electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, and Cochrane library since inception till January 2022. Randomized controlled trial with foot reflexology as an intervention for lowering blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients was included in the study. DATA EXTRACTION AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Data was independently extracted by four authors. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was the primary outcome measure. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated to determine the effect size. RESULTS: The pooled effect of SBP (SMD: -2.70, 95 % of CI: -6.79, 1.39, I2 - 97 %, P < 0.001) and DBP (SMD: -2.12, 95 % of CI: -5.95, 1.71, I2 - 97 %, P < 0.001) changes are not favorable for foot reflexology in terms of reducing blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Findings from the studies showed that foot reflexology interventions were not much effective in the reduction of blood pressure among patients with hypertension.

Effect of trataka (yogic gazing) on insomnia severity and quality of sleep in people with insomnia.

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia or sleeplessness is a common disorder associated with morbidity and poor quality of life. Trataka is one of the six cleansing techniques of yoga. Literature suggests that trataka could help in relieving insomnia. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of trataka on insomnia severity and quality of sleep (QoS) in people with insomnia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine participants with insomnia were recruited, who underwent trataka (45 minutes per day daily) for a period of 10 days. Insomnia severity and QoS were assessed before and after the intervention using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. RESULTS: This study showed a significant reduction in ISI score and PSQI global score and its associated subscale scores except sleep medication scores after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Trataka may be considered as a treatment modality in reducing insomnia severity and in improving QoS in people with insomnia.