The effect of Foot Medical Zone-Therapy Reflex on the Intensity of PMS Symptoms in Students (double-blind random controlled clinical trial)

Abstract

Introduction Pre-menstruation syndrome (PMS) includes a set of physical and psychological symptoms before menstruation which causes disorder in the life process and activity of each woman. This survey was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of foot medical zone-therapy reflex on the intensity of PMS symptoms in the students of girls’ dormitories of Tehran University of Medical Science. Methods: This one blind randomized clinical trial was performed in 2010 on 120 students who were resident in the dormitories of Tehran university of medical sciences. The samples were randomly divided in 2 groups of cases and control (n=60 each group). Zone-Therapy Reflex was done in the case group.Data collection toolwasDickerson questionnaire which was completed in two menstruation cycles before treatment and two cycles during the treatment. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 15) and x2,exact Fisher and covariance analysis tests. P˂0.05 was considered significant. Results In this research, the intensity of mood signs was decreased 25.2% after true Z-T reflex and 3.8% after no true Z-T reflex, physical signs 25.26% after true Z-T reflex and 3.4% after no true Z-T reflex, and behavioral signs 20% after true Z-T reflex and 18.30% after no true-T reflex , that mood (p=0.03) and physical (p=0.040) signs were considered statistically significant and improvement was observed in the signs, but no change was observed in behavioral signs. Conclusion Zone therapy reflex improves physical and mood signs in PMS and due to very low side effects, good effectiveness and proper treatment can be one of the first therapy steps in women with PMS.

Keywords

• afoot reflex zone therapy
• premenstrual syndrome