[Effects of Koryo Hand Therapy on menopausal symptoms and FSH, LH, and estradiol in climacteric women].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Koryo Hand Therapy (KHT) on menopausal symptoms and hormone levels (Follicle Stimulating Hormone [FSH], Luteinizing Hormone [LH], and estradiol [E(2)]) in climacteric women.


METHODS
The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Data were collected from November 28, 2005 to February 28, 2006. The 45 participants were assigned to either the experimental group (23) or control group (22). KHT was applied three times a week, for a total of 8 weeks to the women in the experimental group.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant decrease in menopausal symptoms (F=42.49, p=.000), FSH level (F=26.98, p=.000) and LH level (F=5.31, p=.026) between the experimental and control groups. There was an increase of the estradiol level in the experimental group but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
KHT can be applied as a supportive nursing intervention to climacteric women. KHT is expected to be a complementary alternative intervention for health management of the climacteric women.
Song
Young A
YA
Department of Nursing, College of Cheju Halla, Jeju, Korea.
Shin
Hye Sook
HS
D000328:Adult; D002979:Climacteric; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology; D011594:Psychometrics
D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone