Effect of foot reflexology on behavioral and emotional problems in preschool children

Abstract

Background and purpose

Foot reflexology is safe and suitable for preschoolers. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of foot reflexology on behavioral and emotional problems in preschool children.

Method

As many as 31 preschool children in Nurul Islam Kindergarden involved in pre-experimental study with one group pre-test and post-test design using Preschool Pediatric Symptom Checklist Score (PPSC). Foot reflexology was applied 30 min every day for 4 consecutive days on April 22–April 25, 2019. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon was used to analyze behavioral and emotional problems.

Results

Foot reflexology can reduce emotional problems (95% CI: 2.466–4.309; p = 0.001), attention problems (95% CI: 0.349–1.256; p = 0.001) and parental challenges, but there was no effect on behavioral problems (CI: −0.174 to 0.293; p = 0.566).

Conclusion

Foot reflexology is useful for reducing preschool children's behavioral and emotional problems, especially emotional and attention problems. Future study is expected to use control group and measurement of cortisol, endorphins, dopamine, acetilcholine, etc. were not carried out before and after foot reflexology massage for future study.