We have located links that may give you full text access.
Effect of Foot Reflexology Protocol on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in Nursing Students: a Pre-Post Pilot Study.
International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork 2021 December
BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome is a highly prevalent cyclical disorder among women of childbearing age which interferes with daily activities, mood, and quality of life.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a foot reflexology protocol on relieving premenstrual syndrome symptoms in nursing students.
SETTING: Nursing School, São Paulo University, Brazil.
PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 17 nursing students, diagnosed with moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome as assessed by the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST).
RESEARCH DESIGN: A pre-post pilot intervention study.
INTERVENTION: The intervention consisted of eight reflexology sessions lasting 30 minutes for eight weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Evaluation of the participants by the PSST applied at the beginning and at the end of the study.
RESULTS: The participants had an average age of 21.7 (±2.6) years, ranging from 19 to 28 years; all were single, and most were in the third year of the course (58.8%); 75.6% lived with their family; 82.4% do not use contraceptives; 64.7% reported regular menstrual flow with an average duration of 5.1 (±1.1) days, and an average menstrual cycle interval of 29.3 (±4.9) days. The intervention significantly reduced the premenstrual symptoms assessed by the PSST ( p <.017) with a pre-post difference of 10.2 points in the overall score, and the items score decreased between 1.2 to 3.4 for difficulty concentrating, insomnia, hypersomnia, feeling overwhelmed, muscle/ joint pain, bloating, weight gain; and between 3.5 to 5.2 to anger/irritability, anxiety/ tension, tearful, depressed mood, decreased interest in daily activities, fatigue, overeating, and breast tenderness. There was a significant decrease regarding the functional impact of premenstrual symptoms domain in the overall score with a pre-post difference of 10.7, and between 1.7 and 3.0 for all of the items ( p <.04), except for the item "your home responsibilities".
CONCLUSION: Foot reflexology has shown promising results in reducing premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a foot reflexology protocol on relieving premenstrual syndrome symptoms in nursing students.
SETTING: Nursing School, São Paulo University, Brazil.
PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 17 nursing students, diagnosed with moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome as assessed by the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST).
RESEARCH DESIGN: A pre-post pilot intervention study.
INTERVENTION: The intervention consisted of eight reflexology sessions lasting 30 minutes for eight weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Evaluation of the participants by the PSST applied at the beginning and at the end of the study.
RESULTS: The participants had an average age of 21.7 (±2.6) years, ranging from 19 to 28 years; all were single, and most were in the third year of the course (58.8%); 75.6% lived with their family; 82.4% do not use contraceptives; 64.7% reported regular menstrual flow with an average duration of 5.1 (±1.1) days, and an average menstrual cycle interval of 29.3 (±4.9) days. The intervention significantly reduced the premenstrual symptoms assessed by the PSST ( p <.017) with a pre-post difference of 10.2 points in the overall score, and the items score decreased between 1.2 to 3.4 for difficulty concentrating, insomnia, hypersomnia, feeling overwhelmed, muscle/ joint pain, bloating, weight gain; and between 3.5 to 5.2 to anger/irritability, anxiety/ tension, tearful, depressed mood, decreased interest in daily activities, fatigue, overeating, and breast tenderness. There was a significant decrease regarding the functional impact of premenstrual symptoms domain in the overall score with a pre-post difference of 10.7, and between 1.7 and 3.0 for all of the items ( p <.04), except for the item "your home responsibilities".
CONCLUSION: Foot reflexology has shown promising results in reducing premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices 
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app