Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of the study was to identify the effects of aroma-foot-reflexology on premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea and lower abdominal skin temperature of nursing students.
METHODS
This study used a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study design. The participants were divided into two groups, a control group with 37 students and a treatment with 24 students. A 35 minute three times a week aroma-foot-reflexology was carried out for the treatment group. The data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program.
RESULTS
The results showed that aroma-foot reflexology was significantly effective in reducing premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea, and raised lower abdominal skin temperature of the students.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicated that aroma-foot-reflexology is an effective nursing intervention in reducing premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea and in improving lower abdominal skin temperature. It is, therefore, recommended that the aroma-foot reflexology should be a clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention to reduce premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea and to improve lower abdominal skin temperature of nursing students.