[Effects of self-foot reflexology on stress, fatigue, skin temperature and immune response in female undergraduate students]
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for stress, explained
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of self-foot reflexology on stress (perceived stress, urine cortisol level, and serum cortisol level), fatigue, skin temperature and immune response in female undergraduate students. The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-post test design. Participants were 60 university students: 30 in the experiment group and 30 in the control group. The period of this study was from April to June 2010. The program was performed for 1 hr a session, three times a week for 6 weeks. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. The results showed that self-foot reflexology was effective in reducing perceived stress and fatigue, and raised skin temperature in female undergraduate students. But cortisol levels and immune response were not statistically significant different. The results of this study indicate that self-foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention in reducing perceived stress and fatigue and, in improving skin temperature. Therefore, it is recommended that this be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for in female undergraduate students.
Key Findings: what this observational study found about stress
- ✓Self-foot reflexology significantly reduced perceived stress in female undergraduate students after 6 weeks of treatment (1 hour per session, three times weekly).
- ✓Self-foot reflexology significantly reduced fatigue levels in female undergraduate students compared to the control group.
- ✓Self-foot reflexology increased skin temperature in female undergraduate students, but did not produce statistically significant changes in cortisol levels or immune response.
What This Means for You
This study suggests foot reflexology may help reduce stress and fatigue in college-aged women, though the evidence is moderate and benefits on immune function were not demonstrated.
What This Means for Practitioners
Self-foot reflexology shows promise as a clinical nursing intervention for stress and fatigue reduction in young adult women, supporting its use in practice despite mixed results on physiological markers.
Study Design: how this observational study was run
Reflexology for stress: common questions
Does reflexology help with stress?
This study suggests foot reflexology may help reduce stress and fatigue in college-aged women, though the evidence is moderate and benefits on immune function were not demonstrated.
What did this study find?
Self-foot reflexology significantly reduced perceived stress in female undergraduate students after 6 weeks of treatment (1 hour per session, three times weekly). Self-foot reflexology significantly reduced fatigue levels in female undergraduate students compared to the control group. Self-foot reflexology increased skin temperature in female undergraduate students, but did not produce statistically significant changes in cortisol levels or immune response.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a observational study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 60 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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