Foot Reflexology and Acupressure on Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Summary

This research was planned to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology and acupressure applications on gastrointestinal symptoms in women going through menopause. Menopause is a period in which a woman experiences profound changes in her physiological, psychological, and social life due to the decrease in estrogen and progesterone hormones. Changes in digestive system functions are particularly common during this period; gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal pain significantly reduce the quality of life.

The scope of the study focuses on investigating the manageability of these symptoms that occur during menopause with reflexology and acupressure, which are complementary and alternative medicine methods. Reflexology is a method based on the assumption that specific points on the soles of the feet are connected to the relevant organs in the body, aiming to increase blood circulation and regulate organ functions. Acupressure, based on Chinese medicine, aims to regulate energy flow and reduce symptoms by applying finger pressure to specific acupuncture points. Both methods are increasingly recommended for symptom management during menopause due to their non-invasive nature, low side effects, and ease of application.

This research will be conducted at Osmaniye State Hospital and will be limited to menopausal women who apply to this institution. Participants' demographic characteristics, duration of menopause, health history, and gastrointestinal symptom levels will be assessed using a Demographic Information Form and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). The application process will be carried out in accordance with standard reflexology and acupressure protocols, and changes in symptoms will be analyzed using pre-test and post-test measurements. The study also aims to reveal the effects of gastrointestinal symptoms experienced during menopause on women's quality of life; This study aims to provide evidence-based data on complementary methods that can be integrated into nursing care, in addition to pharmacological treatments. The limited number of studies in the literature addressing the effects of complementary medicine practices during menopause makes this research unique from both a clinical and academic perspective.

Conditions

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Interventions

OTHER

Foot Reflexology

Menopausal women assigned to the foot reflexology group will receive a standardized reflexology protocol administered by a trained/certified researcher. The steps and standards of the intervention are as follows: Preparation: The application will be conducted in a quiet room with adjusted lighting and temperature. The participant will be positioned on a bed in a supine or semi-sitting position (approximately 45 degrees) with their legs supported. An unscented and non-allergenic massage oil or lotion will be used to reduce friction and maintain skin integrity. Warm-up and Relaxation: Before starting the specific procedure, a brief relaxation massage using effleurage and petrissage techniques will be applied to both feet to increase blood circulation and prepare the tissues. Target Area Applications: Following the warm-up, the focus will be directed to specific reflex points aimed at alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms, which is the primary objective of the study. Using thumb-walkin

OTHER

Acupressure

Description: Menopausal women assigned to the acupressure group will receive a standardized acupressure protocol administered by a trained/certified practitioner. The steps and standards of the intervention are as follows: Preparation: The application will be conducted in a quiet, well-ventilated room with appropriate lighting and temperature to ensure the participant's comfort. The participant will be placed in a relaxed, comfortable position (supine or seated) that allows the practitioner easy access to the targeted acupressure points. Target Area Applications: The intervention involves applying physical pressure to specific acupuncture points based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles to regulate energy flow (Qi) and alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms. The practitioner will focus on key acupoints known to support the stomach, intestines, and overall digestive system, as well as points that promote systemic relaxation and autonomic nervous system balance. Application Techni

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Osmaniye Korkut Ata University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-15

Primary Completion

2026-06-01

Completion

2026-06-15