Effectiveness of reflexology related interventions on physiological and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome among women

Abstract

The purpose of the study was First to evaluate the effectiveness of reflexology related interventions on biochemical and physiological parameters of metabolic syndrome among women; Second to find out the association between physiological and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome among women with socio-demographic variables. The study used a true experimental design with one experimental group and one control group. Data were collected from 40 self-help group women who were the members of Kudumbashree from a selected area in South India. Samples were collected by using multistage sampling. Reflexology related intervention was given to the experimental group for 12 weeks. The control group did not receive an intervention. Repeated measures ANOVA and t-test were used for data analysis. The study found there is a significant change in the physiological and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome among the experimental group as compared to the control group (p<0.001). Even if there is no statistically significant difference between the different groups, the observed difference is clinically significant. The study concludes that reflexology related intervention was effective in improving the parameters of metabolic syndrome. It can be implemented in the clinical setting for patients with metabolic syndrome and related lifestyle disorders.