Non-randomised trial, 2002
Does foot reflexology reduce premenstrual syndrome and period pain symptoms?
Yes, in this small study of college students, foot reflexology appeared to reduce both PMS and period pain symptoms significantly. However, the study was small and lacked a proper placebo control.
What they did
This was a quasi-experimental study with 40 female college students in South Korea (20 in the reflexology group, 20 as controls). The experimental group received foot reflexology 6 times over 2 months (1 hour per session). The control group received no treatment. Symptoms were measured using a pain scale.
What they found
The mean symptom score in the experimental group was 8.35 before reflexology, 4.16 after the first menstruation, and 3.25 after the second menstruation. The most common symptoms relieved after foot reflexology were fatigue (50%), insomnia (40%), abdominal pain (35%), lower abdominal pain (30%), and constipation (30%).
What it means for you
Foot reflexology may help reduce PMS and period pain symptoms in some women. However, this is a small study without a proper placebo control, so we cannot be sure the improvement was due to reflexology itself rather than expectation or other factors.
8.35
Mean symptom score before reflexology
4.16
Mean symptom score after first menstruation
3.25
Mean symptom score after second menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Premenstrual Syndrome and Dysmenorrhea in Female College Students
- Authors
- Yeong Hie Kim, Soo Hyun Cho
- Journal
- Korean journal of women health nursing/Yeoseong geon'gang ganho hag'hoeji/Yeoseong geon-gang ganho hakoeji
- Year
- 2002
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- Foot reflexology, 6 sessions over 60 days (1 hour per session)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2002.8.2.212
Topics
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