[Effect of self-foot reflexology massage on depression, stress responses and immune functions of middle aged women].
OBJECTIVE
This study was aimed to identify the effects of a self-foot reflexology massage on depression, stress responses and functions of the immune system of middle-aged women.


METHODS
This study was a one group pretest-posttest experimental design and the data was collected from August 1st, 2004 to May 31st, 2005. The subjects consisted of 46 middle-aged women (40 - 64 years) who were recruited from the Community Health Center in Busan city. Subjects were not treated for 4 weeks, subsequently they were trained in self foot reflexology massage for 2 weeks, and then they did their own daily for 6 weeks (2 days at the research center, 5 days at home). The outcome variables were measured 4 times, at baseline, pre training, after training, and after the intervention. The collected data was analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA by the SPSS/WIN program.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference in depression, perceived stress, systolic blood pressure, natural-killer cells and Ig G. However, there was not a statistically significant difference in diastolic blood pressure, pulse or serum cortisol.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that a self-foot reflexology massage could be utilized as an effective nursing intervention to reduce depression and stress responses, and to strengthen immune systems in middle-aged women.
Lee
Yun-Mi
YM
Department of Nursing, Inje University, Busan, Korea. lym312@inje.ac.kr
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000276:immunology / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology / Q000451:nursing*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G