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Foot reflexology massage using aromatic oils improves sleep quality in individuals with poor sleep quality

A single-blind RCT found that 20 minutes of daily foot reflexology massage with aromatic oils for 21 days significantly improved sleep quality in adults with poor sleep (PSQI >5). The intervention group's mean PSQI score dropped from 14.25 to 10.30 (p<0.001), while the control group showed minimal change (14.10 to 14.15, p=0.34).

Last updated: Jul 14, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score42/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Sleep Quality using Aromatic Oils-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

observational

Yoganathan D, Srinivasan K, Rajendran K, Rajamani P, Kuppusamy M · International journal of therapeutic massage &amp; bodywork (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 21 days
Intervention: Daily 20-minute foot reflexology massage using aromatic oils for 21 consecutive days
Outcome: Sleep quality measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Adults aged 30-60 years with poor sleep quality (PSQI >5), 95% female, mean age 50.30 years

Result:

PubMed: 42428595DOI: 10.3822/ijtmb.v19i2.1219

Mechanism Graph

Application of foot reflexology massage with aromatic oils
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Stimulation of reflex points on feet
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Potential activation of relaxation response and parasympathetic nervous system
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Result: Significant improvement in sleep quality as measured by PSQI

Limitations

  • ⚠Single-blind design may introduce bias as participants knew their group assignment
  • ⚠High proportion of female participants (95%) limits generalizability to male populations
  • ⚠No long-term follow-up reported to assess durability of sleep quality improvements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)?▼

The PSQI is a self-rated questionnaire that assesses sleep quality over a one-month interval, with scores above 5 indicating poor sleep quality.

How long did the intervention last?▼

The intervention lasted 21 consecutive days, with daily 20-minute foot reflexology massage sessions.

Was the control group given any treatment?▼

The control group sat quietly in a room for 20 minutes daily focusing on natural breathing, without receiving any massage or aromatic oils.

Can this intervention be used for people with severe sleep disorders?▼

The study only included individuals with poor sleep quality (PSQI >5) but not diagnosed sleep disorders; further research is needed for clinical populations.

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References

  1. 1.Yoganathan D, Srinivasan K, Rajendran K, Rajamani P, Kuppusamy M. "Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Sleep Quality using Aromatic Oils-A Randomized Controlled Trial.." International journal of therapeutic massage &amp; bodywork, 2026. PMID: 42428595 DOI: 10.3822/ijtmb.v19i2.1219
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.