PMS Resource
Center
Randomized
Controlled Study of Premenstrual Symptoms Treated
with Ear, Hand, and Foot Reflexology
by Terry Oleson, PhD and William Flocco
This study
was designed to determine whether reflexology treatment
can significantly reduce premenstrual symptoms compared
to a placebo treatment. Thirty-five women who complained
of previous distress with premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
were randomly assigned to be treated by ear, hand and
foot reflexology or to receive placebo reflexology.
All subjects completed a daily diary, which monitored
38 premenstrual symptoms on a four-point scale. Somatic
and psychological indicators of premenstrual distress
were recorded each day for 2 months before treatment,
for 2 months during reflexology treatment, and for
2 months afterward. The reflexology sessions for both
groups were provided by trained reflexology therapist
once a week for 8 weeks, and lasted 30 minutes each.
Results: Analysis of Variance for repeated measures
demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in premenstrual
symptoms for the women given true reflexology than
for the women in the placebo group. The treatment group
showed a 46% reduction in premenstrual symptoms, which
was sustained at 41% during the post treatment period.
It was concluded that ear, hand and foot reflexology
is an appropriate therapy for the treatment of PMS.
American
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 82, No.
6, December 1993
Article
syndicated from Pacificreflexology:
http://www.pacificreflexology.com/pacrflx2004/women.htm
