Impact of foot reflexology combined with dietary modification on premenstrual syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Authors

  • Ghada E. El Refaye Department of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Department of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Pharos University in Alexandria, Egypt.
  • Ahmed M. Aboeleneen Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
  • Afnan M. Alkhateeb Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Hagar A. El-Hadidy Department of Physical Therapy for Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian University (ACU), Giza, Egypt.
  • Mohamed Fawzy Elbanna Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
  • Heba Embaby Department of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.592691
Keywords: Premenstrual syndrome, Dietary modifications, Foot Reflexology

Abstract

Purpose: This investigation was intended to know the impact of reflexology of the foot on premenstrual syndrome management. Methods: Fifty single female subjects diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), aged 18 to 25 years old and BMI ≤ 30kg/m2, participated in this study. They were divided into two groups of equal numbers, A and B. Group (A) got the therapeutic reflexology of the foot in addition to the dietary modification, 3 sessions weekly for eight weeks. The group (B) got only the diet modification for eight weeks. All subjects in the two groups were assessed for pain by the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the PMS related symptoms were assessed by the Premenstrual Daily Symptoms Questionnaire, in addition to the beta-endorphin level in the blood. Results: The results showed significant improvement of pain level, beta-endorphin level in blood and premenstrual related symptoms in both groups when comparing pre and post treatment values (p < 0.05). There was significant difference between both groups post treatment in favor of the study group (A) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Reflexology of the foot in addition to dietary modification is an efficacious technique for decreasing the premenstrual symptoms.

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References

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Published
12-11-2023
How to Cite
El Refaye, G. E., Aboeleneen, A. M., Alkhateeb , A. M., El-Hadidy, H. A., Fawzy Elbanna , M., & Embaby, H. (2023). Impact of foot reflexology combined with dietary modification on premenstrual syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 12, 20. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.592691
Issue
Vol 12 (2023): Supplement 3
Section
Articles

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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

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