ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy. The effects of reflexology on the cardiovascular system are not well characterised. Arterial stiffness (compliance) is a marker of vascular health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of reflexology on arterial compliance in healthy volunteers. METHODS: 12 healthy volunteers (1 male; 11 female; mean age 44.8 ± 10.8 yrs) received 10 min of reflexology on each foot in a single-blind randomised study. The main outcome measures were measurements of cardiovascular parameters including heart rate, blood pressure and arterial compliance (augmentation index). RESULTS: Reflexology had no significant effect on heart rate, blood pressure or augmentation index (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy volunteers, there were no consistent changes in haemodynamic parameters with a single brief reflexology treatment. Thus from a cardiovascular point of view, reflexology (as delivered) would appear to have a limited (if any) effect on the cardiovascular system.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure/physiology , Heart Rate/physiology , Massage/methods , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The Maine Agricultural Safety and Health Program performed a needs assessment to determine the health and safety concerns of Maine's fishing community. Information for the assessment was obtained from clinicians, focus groups of wives of fishers, and government agencies. Reports from the United States Coast Guard showed that during 1993-1994, sixty-five people were injured on commercial fishing vessels and eight people died. Decompression illness was the most frequently reported non-fatal injury (n = 15). Chronic injuries reported by clinicians included back pain, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, dysbaric osteonecrosis. Clinicians and family members were also concerned about hand and arm infections from the bait and sun exposure. Family health issues and access to care are addressed in the report. Recommendations include, in part, increasing surveillance, reducing barriers to access, increasing clinicians' knowledge about the fishing industry, and fostering collaboration between agencies providing health and safety information to fishers.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Occupational/statistics & numerical data , Fisheries , Health Services Accessibility , Occupational Health , Fisheries/standards , Maine , Mortality , Needs AssessmentABSTRACT
Presenta una breve descripción de la realidad centroamericana abordando aspectos demográficos, sociales y económicos con indicadores actualizados de la subregión
Subject(s)
Diagnosis of Health Situation , Central America , Economic IndexesABSTRACT
El artículo parte de la necesidad existente de conjugar los aspectos técnicos y políticos de la salud pública en la búsqueda de un nuevo "status" de la misma dentro de los planes de desarrollo nacional. Considera los procesos de redefinición del papel del Estado y el cuestionamiento de su responsabilidad en cuanto a salud como una oportunidad para redimensionar la oferta pública de salud desde la perspectiva de un programa social de prioridad nacional. En la primera parte, se aborda el derecho a la salud como un compromiso de los gobiernos, manifestado en la Meta de Salud para todos en el Año 2000, que destaca la importancia del acceso y la calidad de los servicios. En la segunda, se hace referencia a la situación de crisis en la región centroamericana y sus reperscusiones en la oferta y demanda de salud. Seguidamente, se plantea la importancia del recurso humano en salud como principal agente de cambio y factor clave en el desarrrollo exitoso de un metamorfosis necesaria e impostergable en los servicios públicos de salud. Por consiguiente, se promueve la colaboración y potencialización mutua requerida entre salubristas y gerentes ante el reto planteado.
