Skip to content

Non-randomised trial, 2022

Is reflexology or acupressure more helpful for period symptoms?

Reflexology reduced symptoms more than acupressure in this 40-girl study. Both groups improved but there was no untreated control group.

Early or limited evidence 40 adolescent girls from a government school in Erode with premenstrual syndrome

What they did

A comparison study with 40 adolescent girls with period symptoms from a government school. One group received acupressure and one received reflexology, once a week for 6 weeks. Symptom improvement was measured before and after.

What they found

The reflexology group had a mean symptom score of 70.8 (SD=10.71) and the acupressure group had a mean score of 97.3 (SD=2.5), with paired t values of 31.9 and 19.2 respectively, showing reflexology was more effective.

What it means for you

Reflexology may work better than acupressure for period symptoms in teenagers. Main limitation: small study with no untreated control group, so it is unclear how much improvement is from the treatment itself versus other factors.

40

girls

6 weeks

treatment duration

70.8 vs 97.3

reflexology vs acupressure scores

About the study

Original title
Effect of Acupressure Vs Reflexology on Pre-Menstrual Syndrome among Adolescent Girls A Pilot Study
Authors
Dr.P.Padmavathi
Journal
Nursing Journal of India
Year
2022
Study design
Non-randomised trial
What was tested
Acupressure versus reflexology, once weekly for 6 weeks
Open access
Yes

Topics