title: Foot reflexology in feet impairment of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology on feet impairment of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  this is a randomized, controlled and blind clinical trial. The sample was comprised by people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who, after being randomized into Treated group (n = 21) and Control group (n = 24), received guidelines on foot self-care. To the Treated Group it was also provided 12 sessions of foot reflexology. The scores of impairment indicators related to skin and hair, blood circulation, tissue sensitivity and temperature were measured by means of the instrument for assessing tissue integrity of the feet of people with diabetes mellitus. Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney test and regression analyzes were applied to the data, considering a significance level of 5% (P value <0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  participants who received the therapy showed better scores in some impairment indicators related to skin and hair (hair growth, elasticity/turgor, hydration, perspiration, texture and integrity of the skin/ skin peeling).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the foot reflexology had a beneficial effect on feet impairment of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which makes it a viable therapy, deserving investment. This study was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - RBR-8zk8sz.
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, BR.
authors.forename: Natália Chantal Magalhães
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, BR.
authors.forename: Érika de Cássia Lopes
authors.initials: Éde C
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, BR.
authors.forename: Emilia Campos
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, BR.
authors.forename: Leonardo César
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, BR.
authors.forename: Denise Hollanda
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Iunes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult