Does foot reflexology reduce PMS symptoms?

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a prevalent health issue among adolescents. It is one of the most frequent conditions affecting women of reproductive age, and it can have a considerable impact on daily activities and can considerably reduce female’s quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of foot reflexology on premenstrual syndrome among nursing students at Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University. Subjects and method: A quasi-experimental research design was carried out. A convenient sample of 100 students was recruited to participate in the study. Two tools of data collection were used: Tool I was socio demographic data and menstrual history structured interview schedule, tool II was a modified version of premenstrual symptoms screening tool for clinicians (PMSST). Results: The study results revealed that the total score of PMS severity was a statistically significant before and after two months of the intervention among the study group, p=0.000. However, the difference was not statistically significant among the control group (P=0.379). There was also statistically significant difference between the study and control groups after two months of the intervention in favor of the former, where (p= 0.000). In addition, the negative effect of PMS on daily life activities significantly decreased among the study group after two months of the intervention p=0.000. Conclusion and recommendations: The study concluded that the female students who received reflexology foot massage exhibited less severity of premenstrual symptoms than those who received placebo foot massage. It is recommended that reflexology foot massage should be advised as a non-pharmacological management to relieve PMS

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