The Effect of Foot Reflexology in Women With Migraine

This prospective randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of foot massage on pain, anxiety, kinesiophobia, and postural control in women aged 18-45 years diagnosed with migraine who attend the Neurology Outpatient Clinic of Karabük University Karabük Training and Research Hospital. Participants who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be randomly allocated into either a foot massage group or a control group using a simple randomization method. The foot massage group will receive a total of 10 sessions of foot massage over 5 weeks, with two sessions per week, while no massage intervention will be applied to the control group. All participants will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention period, and two weeks following the completion of treatment. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of foot massage in the management of symptoms in women with migraine.

Inclusion Criteria: * Being a woman between the ages of 18 and 45 * Having been diagnosed with migraine by a neurologist according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria * Volunteering to participate in the study * Being literate * Not having entered menopause Exclusion Criteria: * Having any neurological disease other than migraine * Having a psychiatric illness * Smoking * Having a musculoskeletal disease affecting the head and neck area * Having a history of cervical or cranial surgery * Having irritation or ulceration in the skin area to be massaged * Receiving migraine treatment other than pharmacological treatment (acupuncture, dry needling, cupping, etc.) * Having diabetic foot * Having open wounds on the foot * Pregnant individuals or individuals who become pregnant during the study period