title: [Effects of Foot-Reflexology Massage on Fatigue, Stress and Postpartum Depression in Postpartum Women].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the effects of foot reflexology massage on fatigue, stress and depression of postpartum women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nonequivalent control group pre-post design was used. A total of 70 women in a postpartum care center were recruited and were assigned to the experimental group (35) or control group (35). Foot reflexology massage was provided to the experimental group once a day for three days. Data were collected before and after the intervention program which was carried out from December, 2013 to February, 2014. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of fatigue in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t=-2.74, p=.008). The level of cortisol in the urine of women in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t=-2.19, p=.032). The level of depression in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t=-3.00, p=.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that the foot reflexology massage is an effective nursing intervention to relieve fatigue, stress, and depression for postpartum women.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Son
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon, Korea. ejlee@gachon.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Eun Ja
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Cortisone; Fatigue; Foot; Massage; Postpartum depression