Complementary/alternative therapies for premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Limited EvidenceIn Plain Language: PMS, explained
Complementary/alternative therapies are popular with women who have premenstrual syndrome. This systematic review was designed to determine whether use of such therapies is supported by evidence of effectiveness from rigorous clinical trials. Trials were located through searching 7 databases and checking the reference lists of articles. Randomized controlled trials investigating a complementary/alternative therapy in women with premenstrual syndrome published in the peer-reviewed literature were included in the review. Twenty-seven trials were included investigating herbal medicine (7 trials), homeopathy (1), dietary supplements (13), relaxation (1), massage (1), reflexology (1) chiropractic (1), and biofeedback (2). Despite some positive findings, the evidence was not compelling for any of these therapies, with most trials suffering from various methodological limitations. On the basis of current evidence, no complementary/alternative therapy can be recommended as a treatment for premenstrual syndrome.
Key Findings: what this systematic review found about PMS
- ✓This systematic review analyzed 27 randomized controlled trials examining various complementary/alternative therapies for premenstrual syndrome, including herbal medicine, dietary supplements, homeopathy, reflexology, massage, chiropractic, relaxation, and biofeedback.
- ✓Despite some positive findings in individual trials, the overall evidence was not compelling for any of the complementary/alternative therapies examined, with most trials having significant methodological limitations.
- ✓Based on the current evidence from rigorous clinical trials, no complementary/alternative therapy can be recommended as an effective treatment for premenstrual syndrome.
What This Means for You
While reflexology is used by some women with premenstrual syndrome, current research does not provide strong evidence that it works better than placebo or other standard treatments.
What This Means for Practitioners
Current evidence does not support reflexology as a proven treatment for premenstrual syndrome, so manage client expectations and encourage complementary use alongside evidence-based medical care.
PMS: common questions
What does this study say about PMS?
While reflexology is used by some women with premenstrual syndrome, current research does not provide strong evidence that it works better than placebo or other standard treatments.
What did this study find?
This systematic review analyzed 27 randomized controlled trials examining various complementary/alternative therapies for premenstrual syndrome, including herbal medicine, dietary supplements, homeopathy, reflexology, massage, chiropractic, relaxation, and biofeedback. Despite some positive findings in individual trials, the overall evidence was not compelling for any of the complementary/alternative therapies examined, with most trials having significant methodological limitations. Based on the current evidence from rigorous clinical trials, no complementary/alternative therapy can be recommended as an effective treatment for premenstrual syndrome.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a systematic review and we rate its evidence limited. It was published in American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
Related Research
Effect of Foot Reflexology Protocol on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in Nursing Students: a Pre-Post Pilot Study
Effects of reflexology on premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Premenstrual syndrome
[The effect of self-foot reflexology on the relief of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea in high school girls]
Randomized controlled study of premenstrual symptoms treated with ear, hand, and foot reflexology
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