Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiopulmonary and Geriatrics Disorders

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of reflexology on asthmatic patients. Forty asthmatic patients (25 men and 15 women) shared in this study. Their ages ranged from 35 to 45 years old, with mean value of ( 39.56±0.80 ) years in the study group and ( 40.00 ± 0.93 ) years in the control group, they were divided into two groups equal in number. Group (I) ; Twenty patients (12 men and 8 women) received medical treatment, chest physiotherapy and reflexology program, while group (II) ; Twenty patients (13 men and 7 women) received medical treatment and chest physiotherapy only. The program continued for four weeks, with two sessions per week for eight sessions. In the study group there was significant improvements in ventilatory functions (p value < 0.05) with 21.40% improvement after program, while in control group the improvement was 7.23% (p value > 0.05). Within the study group, women showed more increase in percents of ventilatory functions by 24.47% more than men which were 23.07 % . And on the other hand IGE level in the study group showed a significant decrease in blood (p value < 0.05) with 39.62% than in control group was 19.30% . Within the study group, women showed a decrease in IGE level by 42.37%, while in men was 39.46% (p value<0.05). In control group women showed a decrease in IGE level by21.45%, while in men was 18.41% (p value>0.05). So, it was recommended to use reflexology for management program of asthmatic patients

Issued also as CD