A Study Comparing the Effects of Two Types of Natural Oils Used in a Bedtime Foot Massage Routine on Sleep and Emotional Well-Being in Perimenopausal Women.

Summary

This study is being done to find out whether a nightly 5-minute foot massage (Padabhyanga) using Brahmi-Gotukola oil can help women ages 40 to 55 sleep better and feel calmer during perimenopause. Perimenopause is the time when periods start to change and many women begin to experience sleep problems and mood changes. The study will also compare Brahmi-Gotukola oil to organic sesame oil, which will be used as the control oil.

Participants will do a simple guided 10-minute foot massage at home every night for 2 weeks using either Brahmi-Gotukola oil or organic sesame oil. They will fill out a short sleep log each morning to track their sleep. Before starting the study and again at the end of the 2-week period, they will complete questionnaires about their sleep and mood. Additional follow-up questionnaires will be completed in the 3rd and 4th weeks to see if any improvements continue even after the massage period is over.

This study aims to:

See whether Brahmi-Gotukola oil foot massage improves sleep in women experiencing perimenopausal sleep problems.

Find out whether Brahmi-Gotukola oil foot massage helps with mood and emotional well-being.

Compare Brahmi-Gotukola oil foot massage with sesame oil foot massage to determine whether Brahmi oil provides more benefits for sleep and mood.

Conditions

• Sleep Disturbances in Perimenopause

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Brahmi-Gotukola oil padabhyanga

The intervention consists of applying Brahmi-Gotukola oil to both feet followed by a 10-minute Ayurvedic foot massage (Padabhyanga), performed once daily at bedtime for 14 consecutive days. Approximately 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of oil is applied to each foot. Massage is performed for 5 minutes per foot, focusing on the center of the foot, the base of the big toe and other toes, the web spaces, medial and lateral borders, the ankle joint, Achilles tendon, and the dorsum of the foot. After massage, excess oil may be gently wiped with a paper towel to reduce slipperiness, and participants may optionally wear cotton socks to prevent slipping. Massage is done about 20-30 minute before bed time , sitting in a quiet place. Intervention done after washing both feet. A parallel comparison group performs the same procedure using sesame oil instead of Brahmi-Gotu Kola oil.

BEHAVIORAL

Sesame oil Padabhyanga

Participants apply sesame oil to both feet and perform the same 10-minute Ayurvedic foot massage (Padabhyanga) once daily at bedtime for 14 consecutive days. Approximately 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of oil is applied to each foot. The identical 5-minute per foot massage protocol is followed with emphasis on the center of the foot, toe bases, web spaces, medial/lateral borders, ankle joint, Achilles tendon, and dorsum. After massage, excess oil may be wiped with a paper towel, and cotton socks may be worn to prevent slipping.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Maharishi International University

  collaborator OTHER

• Saipriya Gowrishankar

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Saipriya Gowrishankar · Maharishi International University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-06

Primary Completion

2026-03-30

Completion

2026-04-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations