Effects of foot reflexology on dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the effects of foot reflexology on dysmenorrhea.Materials and Methods: A randomize controlled trial design was used. This study included 29 student is in the intervention, 29 student in placebo groups. In the reflexology group, the subjects received 8 reflexology sessions (30 minutes each) in two consecutive mense cycles. The placebo groups , the subjects received 8 foot massage sessions (30 minutes each) in two consecutive mense cycles. To assess the severity of dysmenorrhea, Visual Anolog Scala and Verbal category scale were used in this study.Results: When VAS mean scores of the experimental and placebo groups during 4 follow-up periods were compared, it was found that there is not a statistically significant difference between experimental and placebo groups. Conclusion: Results showed that reflexology and placebo foot massage might be effective in decreasing dysmenorrhea. It is recommended that the students suffering from dysmenorrhea problems should be informed on the foot and reflexology massage.