About this trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on pain and sleep disorders in Egyptian female patients with fibromyalgia. Sixty female participants aged 18 to 65 years diagnosed with fibromyalgia will be randomly assigned into two equal groups. The control group will receive conventional physical therapy, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), while the experimental group will receive the same treatment in addition to foot reflexology. Interventions will be delivered twice weekly for six weeks. Pain, sleep quality, psychological distress, and functional activity will be evaluated at baseline and after treatment using validated Arabic assessment tools and pressure pain threshold measurements. The study aims to determine whether reflexology provides additional benefits when combined with conventional physical therapy in women with fibromyalgia.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Egyptian female participants aged 18 to 65 years
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria
Moderate pain intensity
Poor sleep quality
Disqualifiers
Comorbid conditions affecting pain or sleep, including rheumatoid arthritis and related disorders
Previous reflexology treatment within the previous 6 months
Any medical condition preventing participation in physical therapy or reflexology intervention
Refusal or inability to comply with study procedures and follow-up requirements
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Foot Reflexology
- Conventional Physical Therapy
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Treatment groups
Locations
1Sponsors and collaborators
Cairo University
Lead sponsor