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.
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
Topics
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