Improving Sleep Quality in Older Adults: Foot Reflexology or Warm Footbath? A Single-Blind, 6-Week Intervention, Two Group, Randomized Comparative Study

Authors: Güven Şefika DilekJournal: Journal of gerontological nursingPublished: March 1, 2022DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20220209-03

Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=100 participants

Insomnia

In Plain Language: reflexology for sleep, explained

The current study aimed to compare the effects of foot reflexology and warm foot-bath on improving sleep quality in older adults. Participants were randomized to the foot reflexology group (n = 50) or warm footbath group (n = 50). Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Foot reflexology was applied 30 minutes twice per week for 6 weeks. Warm foot-bath was applied 1 hour before bedtime every evening for 6 weeks. Comparison of mean total scores from the PSQI before and after reflexology indicated that mean postintervention total scores decreased significantly compared to preintervention scores (p p p > 0.05). According to current findings, both interventions improved sleep quality in older adults. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(3), 17-22.].

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about sleep

✓Foot reflexology applied twice weekly for 6 weeks significantly improved sleep quality in older adults, with mean PSQI scores decreasing substantially from pre to post-intervention.
✓Both foot reflexology and warm footbath interventions were effective at improving sleep quality in older adults, though reflexology showed statistically significant improvements.
✓Warm footbath applied nightly for 6 weeks did not produce statistically significant improvements in sleep quality compared to baseline measurements.

What This Means for You

Both foot reflexology and warm footbaths can meaningfully improve sleep in older adults, though this single study suggests reflexology may have a modest edge—making it worth trying if you struggle with sleep.

What This Means for Practitioners

This randomized trial provides good evidence that reflexology interventions are effective for sleep quality in older clients and can be positioned as an evidence-based complementary approach to sleep problems.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

100 participants

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Reflexology for sleep: common questions

Does reflexology help with sleep?

What did this study find?

Foot reflexology applied twice weekly for 6 weeks significantly improved sleep quality in older adults, with mean PSQI scores decreasing substantially from pre to post-intervention. Both foot reflexology and warm footbath interventions were effective at improving sleep quality in older adults, though reflexology showed statistically significant improvements. Warm footbath applied nightly for 6 weeks did not produce statistically significant improvements in sleep quality compared to baseline measurements.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 100 participants. It was published in Journal of gerontological nursing. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.