Abstract

BACKGROUND Fatigue, stress, and increased cortisol are common problems experienced by MS patients. Given that there is little research in Iran and abroad on the effects of foot reflexology, the present study explored the impact of foot reflexology on fatigue, stress, and serum cortisol levels in women with multiple sclerosis. METHODS In this randomized clinical trial study, conducted among 60 women with multiple sclerosis referred to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Yazd. Sampling was initially performed by targeted sampling method based on entry and exit criteria and then 60 samples were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control using a random number table. The foot reflexology was performed for the intervention group and simple food massage was performed for the control group for 4 weeks, 3 times a week for 15 minutes for each foot. The data were collected using Fatigue Severity Scale, Stress Symptom Index, and the Demographic Information Form, and analysed using the chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and two-way repeatedmeasures ANOVA with SPSS software (Version 18). RESULTS The mean serum levels of cortisol and fatigue showed a significant decrease at different times in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.00001). The mean stress scores in the intervention group were significant in the pre-testpost-test and pre-test-follow-up phases (P <0.00001) but not significant in the posttest phase with one-month follow-up (P = 0.074). CONCLUSIONS The results of the study suggested that foot reflexology has a long-term effect on fatigue and cortisol serum levels and a short-term effect on stress in women with multiple sclerosis.