[Effects on couples' communication, intimacy, conflict and quality of life by foot massage between immigrants].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects on immigrant couples' communication, intimacy, conflict and quality of life when using foot massage.


METHODS
The research design consisted of pre-and-post test consecutive experimental design through a nonequivalent control group. Data were collected July 6, 2009 to February 27, 2010. The 36 couples were divided into two groups, experimental and control with 18 couples in each group. Foot massage was applied twice a week for 6 weeks by the couples in the experimental group.


RESULTS
There were statistically significant increases in communication (p=.011), intimacy (p<.001), quality of life (p=.017) between the couples in the experimental group compared to the control group. There was also a statistically significant decrease in conflict (p=.003) between the couples in the experimental group compared to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Foot massage can be applied as a nursing intervention for improvement of marital relationship in immigrant couples.
Uhm
Dong-choon
DC
Department of Emergency Medical Technician, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Korea. dchuhm@dju.kr
D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008405:Massage; D011788:Quality of Life