Does reflexology improve quality of life at end of life?

Given the high prevalence of infertility as well as vitamin D insufficiency in otherwise healthy young women and men and the possible link between vitamin D and human reproduction, is being researched by scientists. Vitamin D has been well-known for its function in maintaining calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and promoting strong bones and teeth. There is some evidence that in addition to sex steroid hormones, the classic regulators of human reproduction, vitamin D also modulates reproductive processes in women and men.  It is well known that Vitamin D peaks in the summer months and drops in the winter months in the Uk and other northern countries that have fewer hours of day light during the winter months.  In these northern countries the conception rate is decreased during the dark winter months; it peaks during the summer leading to a maximum birth rate in the spring. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are associated with obesity, metabolic, and endocrine disturbances.   Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common cause of infertility.  Researchers concluded that vitamin D supplementation might improve menstrual frequency and metabolic disturbances in those women. The same researchers suggested vitamin D might influence steroidogenesis of sex hormones (estradiol and progesterone) in healthy women and high 25(OH)D levels might be associated with endometriosis. In men, vitamin D is positively associated with semen quality and androgen status. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation might increase testosterone levels. It should be noted that Vitamin D supplementation can't treat infertility alone, but is a safe and cheap treatment, which has been shown to boost fertility in men and women. In addition there is limited evidence that vitamin D exerts some effects on the outcome of IVF treatment. Finally vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women has been associated with elevated risk for other pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and bacterial vaginosis. References Rojansky N,Brzezinski A & Schenker JG. Seasonality in human reproduction: an update.Human Reproduction 1992 7 735–745. E Lerchbaum & B Obermayer-Pietshc, Mechanisms in Enocrinology: Vitamin D and Fertility: A systematic review. Eur J Endocrinol May 1, 2012 166765-778

Bodnar LM, Catov JM, Simhan HN, Holick MF, Powers RW & Roberts JM Maternal vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of preeclampsia. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism2007 92 3517–3522.

Researchers in Iran conducted a randomised control trail to see if reflexology could assist patients undergoing haemodialysis with their nausea.  Haemodialysis is a way of replacing some of the functions of your kidney, if your kidneys have failed, by using a machine to filter and clean your blood. 72 patients were assigned to either an intervention group or control group.  The control group received a foot massage.  The intervention group received 30-minute reflexology treatments once per day for 12 days, one hour after haemodialysis.  The patients were asked to complete a questionnaire to assess the severity of the nausea 15 minutes after the intervention each day. The results showed differences between the groups after treatment, with the severity of the nausea significantly lower in the reflexology group. There are may different causes of nausea including viruses, medication, anxiety, pregnancy & haemodialysis. It is thought the reflexology may reduce the nausea indirectly by decreasing the related symptoms such as anxiety. Reference https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31383439

I recently came across a scientific study in slovenia on the impact of a corporate chair massage program.  As you can imagine, as I offer this service I was interested in the results of the study. Ninteen female volunteers who were aged between 40 - 54, were given chair massages on-site at their office twice per week for 1 month.  They were all reporting various levels of aches and pains when they were working at their desks.  The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used to track and measure the aches and pains, while a goniometer was used to track and measure range of motion measurements for the neck and spine. The study showed a significant decrease for aches and pains in the neck and upper back.  In addition, it found significant increase in range of movement for cervical lateral flexion of 28.8% (moving your neck so your ear goes towards your shoulder) and cervical extension (moving your head back). This study fits with me and my teams experience that after a Seated Acupressure Neck & Shoulder massages, clients are less tense, feel looser and are able to move their neck & shoulders more freely. Reference Sisko PK, Videmsek M, Karpljuk D, 2011, The effect of a corporate chair massage program on musculoskeletal discomfort and joint range of motion in office workers.  J Altern Complement Med, 17(7):617-22