Reflexions: The Journal of Reflexology Research
VOLUME 25, NUMBER 1, January 2004
A pilot study with wide-ranging implications for the elderly, health-seekers of all ages and reflexology enthusiasts has been conducted at non-profit Oregon Research Institute (ORI) in Eugene, Oregon. The randomized, controlled study of 48 individuals tested the results of cobblestone-mat walking three times a week with 45 minute sessions over 8 weeks. The mat-walking is noted to be"... rooted in traditional Chinese holistic medicine and principles of reflexology..." (See below.) As noted in a Press Release from ORI: "A recently completed study on the study benefits of 'stone stepping,' an exercise method popular in China indicated that older adults experienced significant improvements in mental and physical well-being, including reductions in blood pressure and pain levels. ... Elderly participants in the study experienced considerable improvements in their ability to perform 'activities of daily living,' increased psychosocial well-being, and significantly reduced daytime sleepiness and pain. Participants also reported greatly improved perceptions of control over falls and had reductions in resting diastolic blood pressure." (See below.)
In an interview with Reflexions , Dr. John Fisher, one of the lead scientists on the study, noted that he and Dr. Fuzhong Li, another ORI scientist, visited China and noticed Chinese walking along specially constructed cobblestone pathways barefooted. ORI imported dozens of portable mats from China to conduct the pilot study. Made of a synthetic material, the mats are 6 feet long and 1.5 feet wide. ORI has received funding from the National Institute on Aging for a full study. (To view pictures of study participants and cobblestone paths in China, see http://healthyaging.ori.org/cobblestone/cobblestone.html)
The ORI study views cobblestone-mat walking as meeting a need "to develop simple, convenient, and readily accessible exercise programs that will reduce health problems and improve the quality of life of the aging population." Exit interviews indicated that participants "enjoyed the activity (90%), ..."would continue the activity if it were available (75%) ... and " (90%) would recommend the activity to firends or relatives." (Fuzhong Li, Peter Harmer, Nicole L. Wilson, K. John Fisher, "Healthy Benefits of Cobblestone-Mat Walking: Preliminary Findings," Journal of Aging and Physical Activity , 11(4), October 2003, p. 1) ORI scientists speculate that stimulation of "acupoints" in the soles of the feet through cobblestone walking creates an impact on one's health. (Eds. Note: Kunz and Kunz have hypothesized for years that reflexology work is an exercise, influencing the body through pressure applied to the feet. The influence results from the pressure exerted during a reflexologist's work, self-applied techniques - or walking on surfaces other than those that are flat and smooth. Think of it as virtual jogging. The pattern of pressure to the feet while one is jogging plays a role in signaling the body to respond in a healthy manner. Pressure applied to the feet through reflexology work or cobblestone walking utilizes the same mechanisms as jogging, providing an opportunity to exercise to the body and producing healthy results. Chinese researchers further link reflexology work to exercise. They speculate that the success of a reflexology program evolves from how it is applied. An appropriate frequency, duration and intensity in the application of reflexology technique will produce results. An exercise program is seen to succeed if the exercise is practiced with an appropriate frequency, duration and intensity . (Feng Jinqi and Fan Chunmei, "Chinese Research: A Concept of the Strength of Stimulation in Reflexology," 1996 China Reflexology Symposium Report , China Reflexology Association )
"Oregon Research Institute (ORI), a nonprofit independent behavioral research center, contributes significantly to people's health and happiness by studying human behavior and developing programs to alleviate social and medical problems. Over the past 40 years, ORI's remarkable achievements have earned ORI a stellar reputation as an international leader in socially relevant research."
"'These are very exciting results," notes John Fisher, Ph.D., one of the lead scientists on the study. "We know that exercise improves the health of older adults, yet many conventional exercise programs (aerobics, weight training) are difficult to do or unappealing to many elderly people. Mat walking is simple, convenient, readily accessible, and a novel experience for all participants". In the exercise method, also called "cobblestone-mat walking", people walk barefoot on a fixed mat that has a smooth, yet undulated cobblestone-like surface. Cobblestone mat walking is rooted in traditional Chinese holistic medicine and the principles of reflexology , in that the uneven surfaces of the cobblestones stimulate and regulate "acupoints" located on the soles of the feet. These cobblestone paths are common in China. Although there is considerable anecdotal evidence indicating the health benefits of cobblestone walking, (e.g., pain relief, sleep enhancement, improved physical and mental well-being), until recently no controlled studies have been undertaken to scientifically evaluate its benefits and efficacy. Participants in the study were divided into an experimental group, the cobblestone mat walkers, and an attention control group, which received educational and social activities." (Fisher and his colleague Fuzhong Li, Ph.D., have received funding from the National Institute on Aging to continue the research." (http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-01/ori-cmw010704.php)
©2004 Kunz and Kunz