A Comparison of the efficacy of the Reflexology and Yumeiho Therapy Massages on balance and Proprioception in Women with Diabetic Neuropathy in Lower Limp

Balance as one of the most essential motor skills has an important role in the independence of the people''s movements and many important factors. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most prevalent complications of diabetic micro-vascular that causing sensory loss of the legs proprioception and balance after destroying of the lower limbs nervous system. Therefore، the purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of six weeks reflexology and Yumeiho massages on balance and prorioception in females with diabetic neuropathy of the lower limbs. thirty-four patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy were selected using available systematic sampling and divided into three reflexology (N=12)، Yumeiho (N=11) and control (N=11) groups، balance and prorioception were measured using the Sharpened Romberg test and goniometer respectively. Six weeks of Yumeiho and reflexology massaging were applied over 18 sessions on the experimental groups. Data were analyzed using paired-t test and independent t-test، one-way analysis of variance and Tukey''s post hoc test (SPSS( The results show that massages (reflexology and Yumeiho) results in improving the balance and proprioception in the patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy (P< 0. 05). In addition، not found any significant difference between two groups of reflexology and Yumeiho massages. The finding of this research shows that reflexology and Yumeiho massages have a significant impact on the balance and proprioception of the females suffering from diabetic neuropathy and no significant difference found between these two methods.