The effects of Reflexology on sleep disorder in menopausal women

Regarding to increasing of life expectancy, women spend about one-third of their lives in menopausal stage. Many women are interested to use complementary and alternative medicines for relief from their menopausal complications. Reflexology is One of the complementary and alternative medicines. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Reflexology on hot flash in menopausal women. This randomized controlled trial study was carried out on 100 retired menopausal women ranging from 45 to 60 in 2011. They were randomly divided in two groups as case and control. Data collection tools were questionnaire. Questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristic, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index. In case group reflexology was preformed for 15 minutes, daily through 21 days while there was no intervention in the control group. There was no significant difference in demographic and the menopausal complications between two groups before intervention in case group. The results showed a significant reduction sleep disorder after intervention (p < 0.001). Reflexology is effective in improving of sleep disorder and therefore midwives can learn it and teach it to menopausal women.