[Effects of self-foot reflexology on stress, fatigue, skin temperature and immune response in female undergraduate students].

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of self-foot reflexology on stress (perceived stress, urine cortisol level, and serum cortisol level), fatigue, skin temperature and immune response in female undergraduate students.

METHODS:

The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-post test design. Participants were 60 university students: 30 in the experiment group and 30 in the control group. The period of this study was from April to June 2010. The program was performed for 1 hr a session, three times a week for 6 weeks. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program.

RESULTS:

The results showed that self-foot reflexology was effective in reducing perceived stress and fatigue, and raised skin temperature in female undergraduate students. But cortisol levels and immune response were not statistically significant different.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study indicate that self-foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention in reducing perceived stress and fatigue and, in improving skin temperature. Therefore, it is recommended that this be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for in female undergraduate students.

• Authors: Young-Mee Lee
• Journal: Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing (J Korean Acad Nurs) Vol. 41 Issue 1 Pg. 110-8 (Feb 2011) ISSN: 2093-758X [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 21516005 (Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hydrocortisone

Topics

• Demography
• Fatigue (therapy)
• Female
• Foot
• Humans
• Hydrocortisone (blood, urine)
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology)
• Lymphocyte Count
• Massage (methods)
• Skin Temperature
• Stress, Psychological (therapy)
• Young Adult