The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Happiness, Spiritual Well-being and Academic Stress in Female University Students Resident in Dormitory: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Academic stress is a common problem among nursing students. Happiness and spiritual well-being in students are related to their stress levels. Reflexology is one of the methods of complementary medicine. Reflexology is unrestricted by time and space, economical, and practical because it is easy to learn and apply. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on happiness, spiritual well-being and academic stress in female university students resident in dormitory. Methods: This clinical trial conducted on 99 female students residing in Kosar dormitory. Probability convenient sampling technique was used to select the sample. Students randomly assigned to three groups including: Intervention, control and placebo groups. Oxford Happiness, Palotzian & Ellison Spiritual well-being, and R. Bala i Rao Academic Stress questionnaires were used to measure the level of happiness, spiritual well-being and academic stress before and after the intervention. Foot reflexology was done in the intervention Group and a simple foot massage without pushing standard reflexology points in placebo group was conducted. Data analysis was done using SPSS24 and ANOVA. Results: Data analysis showed statistically significant results on the effect of reflexology on academic stress reduction among female nursing students (P < 0.05). However, no significant results were found in the effect of reflexology on spiritual well-being and happiness (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Reflexology is an effective medical intervention in reducing academic stress in female university students resident in dormitory.