PMS and Reflexology Research

The first Research Study published in medical literature was published in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 82, #6, December 1993. During the mid 1980's Dr. Terry Oleson and Bill Flocco combined their talents and resources to conduct a Randomized Controlled Reflexology Research Study, according to the strict standards of research ethics and protocols required by the medical research community.

The objective was to determine whether reflexology therapy - the application of manual pressure to reflex points on the ears, hands, and feet that somatotopically correspond to specific areas of the body - can significantly reduce premenstrual symptoms compared to placebo treatment.

The methods: Thirty-five women who had previous distress with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), were randomly assigned to be treated by ear, hand, and foot reflexology or to receive a placebo reflexology session. Each subject maintained a daily diary, which recorded 38 premenstrual symptoms on a four-point scale. Somatic and psychological indicators of premenstrual distress were recorded each day for 2 months before treatment, for 2 months during reflexology and for 2 months afterward.The reflexology sessions for both groups were provided by a trained reflexology therapist once a week for 8 weeks, and lasted 30 minutes each.

The results: The active reflexology group showed 46 % improvement in their symptoms while the placebo group showed 19 % improvement and  the waiting list control group showed 0 %.  This demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in premenstrual symptoms for the women given true reflexology treatment than for the women in the placebo group.

Publishing of the study, and the wide spread reporting that followed in numerous professional journals, magazines, newspapers, and on radio and television, for the first time, was very exciting for reflexologists around the globe. This helped lead the way for many many more published  and unpublished reflexology studies since then, all around the world, on cancer, pain, fertility, kidney stones, diabetes type II, blood pressure and many more. 
The conclusion: These clinical findings support the use of ear, hand and foot reflexology for the treatment of PMS. (Obstet Gynecol 1993;82:906-11)

Psychological Symptoms - Percent Reduction of symptoms
True Reflexology                             Placebo Reflexology
Easily irritated                                                            63%                                                      43%
Nervous or anxious                                                  36%                                                       24%
Depressed or sad                                                     66%                                                      24%     
Forgetful or confused                                               76%                                                       25%
Critical of self or others                                            68%                                                       36%

Physical symptoms - Percent Reduction of symptoms
                                                                         True Reflexology                             Placebo Reflexology
Headache                                                                   77%                                                       22%
Backache                                                                    48%                                                       26%
Constipation                                                               60%                                                       25%
Tired or fatigued                                                         33%                                                       08%
Difficulty falling asleep                                              33%                                                       00%
     

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