---
title: Does yoga or foot reflexology work better for teenage PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes, both work. Yoga reduced PMS scores by 24.27 points and foot reflexology by 18.25 points, with yoga being significantly better.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/perception-and-comparative-efficacy-of-yoga-based-intervention-and-foot-2026/
---

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- Does yoga or foot reflexology work better for teenage PMS?

Randomised trial, 2026

# Does yoga or foot reflexology work better for teenage PMS?

Yes, both work. Yoga reduced PMS scores by 24.27 points and foot reflexology by 18.25 points, with yoga being significantly better.

 Moderate study design

225 nursing students aged 18-19 in India with moderate-to-severe PMS

## What they did

Mixed-methods study. First, 10 nursing students were interviewed about PMS experiences. Then an RCT with 225 teenage girls divided into three groups of 75 each: yoga, foot reflexology, or control. Both interventions were 30-minute sessions for 8 weeks. PMS was measured before and after using a 36-item scale.

## What they found

Both yoga and foot reflexology significantly reduced PMS scores. Yoga had a mean reduction of 24.27 (p<0.001) and foot reflexology had a mean reduction of 18.25 (p<0.001). Yoga post-test score was 71.20 versus 77.25 for foot reflexology (p=0.010), showing yoga was superior.

## What it means for you

Both yoga and foot reflexology help teenage PMS, with yoga working better. These could be offered at schools or health clinics. We only know the effects lasted 8 weeks in this study.

225 girls

adolescents studied

24.27 points

PMS reduction with yoga

18.25 points

PMS reduction with reflexology

## About the study

Original title Perception and comparative efficacy of yoga-based intervention and foot reflexology on premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls: A sequential exploratory mixed-methods study Authors Nisha Singh, Sherin PK Journal International Journal of Midwifery and Nursing Practice Year 2026 Study design Randomised trial Participants 75 What was tested Yoga 30-minute sessions versus foot reflexology 30-minute sessions for 8 weeks Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.33545/26630427.2026.v9.i9a.261](https://doi.org/10.33545/26630427.2026.v9.i9a.261)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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