THE EFFECT OF A REFLEXOLOGY PROGRAM APPLİED TO UNİVERSİTY STUDENTS ON PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME SYMPTOMS, QUALİTY OF LİFE AND GENERAL COMFORT

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a reflexology program applied to university students on premenstrual syndrome symptoms, quality of life, and overall comfort. The study was planned as a randomized controlled trial with intervention and control groups. The main questions targeted by the reflexology application are:

Is a reflexology program applied to the foot area significantly effective in reducing the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms experienced by students? Is a reflexology program applied to the foot area significantly effective in improving the quality of life experienced by students with premenstrual syndrome symptoms? Is a reflexology program applied to the foot area significantly effective in improving overall comfort experienced by students with premenstrual syndrome symptoms? The study population will consist of 1571 female students aged 18-25 studying at Balıkesir University Necatibey Faculty of Education between January 2026 and September 2027. The departments in this faculty are as follows: Computer and Instructional Technologies Teaching, Biology Teaching, Science Teaching, Primary School Mathematics Teaching, English Teaching, Chemistry Teaching, Mathematics Teaching, Preschool Teaching, Guidance and Psychological Counseling, and Classroom Teaching (10 departments). Instead of sampling, the "Individual Information Form and Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSÖ)" will be administered. At the end of this research, from the female students identified as having PMS (1st year: 306; 2nd year: 394; 3rd year: 425; 4th year: 446), an intervention group and a control group will be selected by lottery, without sampling. These students will also be administered the "Premenstrual Syndrome-Specific Quality of Life Scale and General Comfort Scale Short Form" in a randomized controlled trial design.

Using the G Power 3.1.9.7 program, with a 0.05 confidence interval, 90% power, and an effect size of 0.7 (Cohen's d: 0.7), the sample size was calculated to consist of at least 44 female students in each group, totaling 88 students. However, considering the possibility of loss during application and follow-up, reflexology treatment will be applied to 10% or more of these students. Therefore, 60 students will receive the reflexology program. The effect size value (Cohen's d: 0.7) is similar to that found in randomized controlled trials in the literature, where reflexology significantly reduced premenstrual syndrome symptoms and resulted in an above-average effect size.

The female students in the intervention group will then undergo a reflexology program consisting of 12 sessions per week, each lasting 30 minutes, for three months, starting 10 days before menstruation and continuing until the first day of menstruation. The reflexology application will include:

-Each student will receive 12 sessions per month, four days a week, each session lasting 30 minutes, for a total of 12 sessions over three months, starting 10 days before the start of menstruation and continuing until the first day of menstruation.