A Study Comparing the Effects of Two Types of Natural Oils Used in a Bedtime Foot Massage Routine on Sleep and Emotional Well-Being in Perimenopausal Women.

Running, not enrolling · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Sleep Disturbances in Perimenopause

In brief

This study is being done to find out whether a nightly 5-minute foot massage (Padabhyanga) using Brahmi-Gotukola oil can help women ages 40 to 55 sleep better and feel calmer during perimenopause. Perimenopause is the time when periods start to change and many women begin to experience sleep problems and mood changes. The study will also compare Brahmi-Gotukola oil to organic sesame oil, which will be used as the control oil. Participants will do a simple guided 10-minute foot massage at home every night for 2 weeks using either Brahmi-Gotukola oil or organic sesame oil. They will fill out a short sleep log each morning to track their sleep. Before starting the study and again at the end of the 2-week period, they will complete questionnaires about their sleep and mood. Additional follow-up questionnaires will be completed in the 3rd and 4th weeks to see if any improvements continue even after the massage period is over. This study aims to: See whether Brahmi-Gotukola oil foot massage improves sleep in women experiencing perimenopausal sleep problems. Find out whether Brahmi-Gotukola oil foot massage helps with mood and emotional well-being. Compare Brahmi-Gotukola oil foot massage with sesame oil foot massage to determine whether Brahmi oil provides more benefits for sleep and mood.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07274371

Run by

Saipriya Gowrishankar

People needed

30

Starts

2025-11-06

Expected to finish

2026-04-30

Last updated by the study team

2025-12-18

Who can join

Age: 40 and older, up to 55. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Women aged 40 to 55 years.
• Perimenopausal stage according to Stages of reproductive aging workshop +10 with menstrual irregularity PSQI scores above 5.
• Ability to understand and respond to study questions in English
• Willingness to participate in the study

You may not qualify if…

• Participants attained menopause.
• Current use of Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Current Psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder and other severe mental illness that may interfere with partici[pation.
• Use of any anxiolytics, antidepressants
• History of Oopherectomy or hysterectomy .
• Conditions limiting foot massage include active foot injury, severe varicose vein, oprn wounds or any skin infection on the feet
• Any known allergy to sesame seeds
• Any other serious medical conditions according to investigators judgement that would ,make participation unsafe.

Where it is running

• Maharishi International University — Fairfield, Iowa, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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