A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Foot Massage on Muscle Cramps among Post Menopausal Women in Selected Village at Kanyakumari District

Menopause means permanent cessation of menstruation at the end of reproductive life. Menopause leg cramps can be due to magnesium deficiency and decrease estrogen levels and it can be last for seconds to minutes. Massage therapy has proven beneficial for many chronic conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, fatigue etc. The objectives of the study were, to assess the level of muscle cramps among post menopausal women before foot massage, to assess the effectiveness of foot massage on muscle cramps among post menopausal women, to find out the association between level of muscle cramps with the selected demographic and clinical variables among post menopausal women.

A Quasi experimental research study was conducted in Kaliyakkavilai village at Kanyakumari district included 60 postmenopausal women between the age group of (45-55) years and convenient sampling technique was used to select the samples. Muscle cramps was assessed using Modified Ashworth Muscle Cramp Scale. Foot massage was given for 20 minutes alternative days for four weeks. Post-test was conducted by using the same tool after four weeks (30th day). The study findings revealed that foot massage is effective in reducing muscle cramps among post-menopausal women. The study also revealed that the Mean difference between pre and post-test level of muscle cramps was 6.37. The calculated ‘t’ value was 11.72, which is highly significant at (p >0.05).