Journal List > J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs > v.22(4) > 1058235

Kim, Hong, Kim, and Kim: The Effects of Foot Reflexology on Sleep, Depression and Skin Temperature of the Female Elderly at Home

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of foot reflexology on sleep, depression and skin temperature of the female elderly at home.

Methods

This research used the non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The participants were 45 elders residing at home: 23 in the experimental group and 22 in the control group. The experimental group received 30-minute foot reflexology 8 times for 2 weeks. The results were analyzed using χ2 test, t-test with the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program.

Results

The results showed that foot reflexology was significantly effective in improving the quality of sleep, reducing depression, and raising the temperature of both feet. However, the temperature of both palms was not statistically significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicated that foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention in improving the quality of sleep, reducing depression, and raising the temperature of both feet. Therefore, it is recommended to use foot reflexology as a complementary nursing intervention for elderly women at home in community.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Research design.
jkachn-22-409-g001
Table 1
Homogenesity Test of General Characteristics (N=45)
jkachn-22-409-i001

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Fisher's exact test.

Table 2
Homogenesity Test of Dependent Variables (N=45)
jkachn-22-409-i002

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Table 3
Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Sleep (N=45)
jkachn-22-409-i003

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Table 4
Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Depression (N=45)
jkachn-22-409-i004

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Table 5
Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Skin Temperature (N=45)
jkachn-22-409-i005

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

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