The Effect of Foot Reflexology on the Sexual Function of Lactating Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology, explained
Sexual health is an essential part of women's lives at different ages. Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can affect women's sexual function by inducing biological, psychological, and social changes. Due to the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in lactating women and the effects of reflexology therapies on it, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on the sexual function of lactating women. This randomized clinical trial was conducted in selected health centers of Isfahan in 2022 on 64 lactating women (32 women in each group of intervention and control). The samples were selected using the convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups with a random number table. Each participant in the intervention group received 10 sessions of foot reflexology, and each session lasted for 50 minutes (25 minutes for each foot) and was held every three days. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was completed before the intervention and four weeks after the end of it. The control group received routine care and completed the questionnaire before the intervention and 9 weeks later. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and independent/paired t-tests. Data analysis showed that the subjects of the two groups were homogeneous in demographic and fertility characteristics at the beginning of the study. The total mean score of sexual function in the intervention group was 20.36 ± 4.16 before the intervention and 28.05 ± 2.89 after the intervention. In the control group, this score was 20.51 ± 3.75 before the intervention and 20.54 ± 3.71 nine weeks after it. A comparison of the total mean score of sexual function and dimensions showed a significant difference between the two groups four weeks after the intervention (p 60;0.001). In the intervention group, significant changes were observed in the total mean score of sexual function and its dimensions four weeks after the intervention compare
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found
- ✓Foot reflexology was administered to lactating women over 10 sessions of 50 minutes each (25 minutes per foot) held every three days to assess effects on sexual function.
- ✓The study evaluated sexual function in lactating women using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, comparing 32 women receiving reflexology treatment against 32 control group women.
What This Means for You
This study provides good evidence that foot reflexology may help improve sexual function in breastfeeding women, though you should discuss this option with your healthcare provider.
What This Means for Practitioners
This randomized clinical trial with 64 participants demonstrates that 10 sessions of foot reflexology (50 minutes per session, every three days) may effectively improve sexual function in lactating women, supporting reflexology as a potential complementary therapy in this population.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
This study provides good evidence that foot reflexology may help improve sexual function in breastfeeding women, though you should discuss this option with your healthcare provider.
What did this study find?
Foot reflexology was administered to lactating women over 10 sessions of 50 minutes each (25 minutes per foot) held every three days to assess effects on sexual function. The study evaluated sexual function in lactating women using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, comparing 32 women receiving reflexology treatment against 32 control group women.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 64 participants. It was published in Reviews on recent clinical trials. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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