[Effects of self-foot reflexology on stress, fatigue and blood circulation in premenopausal middle-aged women]
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for stress, explained
This study was to examine the effects of self-foot reflexology on stress, fatigue and blood circulation in premenopausal middle-aged women. A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group, pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 59 premenopausal, middle-aged women in their 40s and 60s living in G city: 30 in the experiment group and 29 in the control group. Data were collected from May to August 2008. Self-foot reflexology was performed three times a week for 6 weeks for 40 min at each session. The results showed that self-foot reflexology was effective in reducing perceived stress and fatigue and helped blood circulation in premenopausal middle-aged women. Self-foot reflexology may be an effective nursing intervention in reducing perceived stress and fatigue and in improving blood circulation.
Key Findings: what this observational study found about stress
- ✓Self-foot reflexology performed three times weekly for 6 weeks significantly reduced perceived stress in premenopausal middle-aged women.
- ✓Self-foot reflexology was effective in decreasing fatigue levels in the study population.
- ✓Self-foot reflexology improved blood circulation in premenopausal middle-aged women.
What This Means for You
This study suggests self-foot reflexology may help reduce stress and fatigue in middle-aged women, though the evidence is moderate-strength and more research with larger groups would strengthen these findings.
What This Means for Practitioners
Self-foot reflexology performed three times weekly shows promise as a practical, self-administered intervention for stress and fatigue management in middle-aged women, supporting its use in nursing and wellness practice.
Study Design: how this observational study was run
Reflexology for stress: common questions
Does reflexology help with stress?
This study suggests self-foot reflexology may help reduce stress and fatigue in middle-aged women, though the evidence is moderate-strength and more research with larger groups would strengthen these findings.
What did this study find?
Self-foot reflexology performed three times weekly for 6 weeks significantly reduced perceived stress in premenopausal middle-aged women. Self-foot reflexology was effective in decreasing fatigue levels in the study population. Self-foot reflexology improved blood circulation in premenopausal middle-aged women.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a observational study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 59 participants. It was published in Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, a Q3 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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