title: Role of reflexology and antiepileptic drugs in managing intractable epilepsy--a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This report is based on the results of a randomized parallel controlled trial conducted to determine the efficacy of reflexology therapy in managing intractable epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects who failed epilepsy surgery or were not candidates for epilepsy surgery or were non-responders of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) took part in this study. The trial was completed by 77 subjects randomly assigned to 2 arms: control (AEDs) and reflexology (AEDs + reflexology therapy). The hypothesis was that hand reflexology therapy could produce results similar to those of vagus nerve stimulation, and foot reflexology therapy could maintain homeostasis in the functional status of individual body parts. Reflexology therapy was applied by family members. The follow-up period was 1.5 years. Quality of life in epilepsy patients was assessed with the QOLIE-31 instrument.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the reflexology group, the median baseline seizure frequency decreased from 9.5 (range 2-120) to 2 (range 0-110) with statistical significance (p < 0.001). In the control arm, the decrease was less than 25% with a baseline value of 16 (range 2-150). The pretherapy QOLIE-31 scores in the control group and the reflexology group were 41.05 ± 7 and 43.6 ± 8, respectively. Posttherapy data were 49.07 ± 6 and 65.4 ± 9, respectively (p < 0.002). The reflexology method allowed detection of knee pain in 85% of the reflexology group patients (p < 0.001), and 85.3% of patients derived 81% relief from it (p < 0.001). 4 reflexology group patients reported nausea/vomiting (n = 1), change in voice (n = 2), and hoarseness (n = 1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reflexology therapy together with AEDs may help reducing seizure frequency and improving quality of life in individuals with epilepsy.
authors: Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansarinagar, New Delhi, India. drkrishnadalal@gmail.com
authors: Krishna
authors: K
authors: Dalal
authors: Elanchezhiyan
authors: E
authors: Devarajan
authors: Ravindra Mohan
authors: RM
authors: Pandey
authors: Vivekanandan
authors: V
authors: Subbiah
authors: Manjari
authors: M
authors: Tripathi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000628:therapy*; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants