title: Potential beneficial effects of foot bathing on cardiac rhythm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Foot bathing therapy is a simple technique that induces sensations of comfort and relaxation. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of foot bathing therapy on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in a healthy population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were twenty healthy female subjects (median age=20.67 years, SD=1.04). The recording ECG was applied for 5 minutes before and for 5 minutes after foot bathing therapy of 10 minutes. Subjects rested for 10 minutes without recording ECG in order to stabilize autonomic parameters. The digital signals were then transferred to a laptop and analyzed using LabChart® software (MLS310/7 HRV Module).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost all HRV parameters increased and heart (pulse) rate and LF/HF ratio decreased after foot bathing therapy compared with before foot bathing therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate for the first time in humans that foot bathing might induce a state of balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and might be helpful to prevent possible cardiac arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: . Email@email.com.
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Siti Sugih
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hartiningsih
authors.forename: Melike Gokce
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Izgi
authors.forename: Sevgi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bay
authors.forename: Kubra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Unlu
authors.forename: Meryem Ozlem
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Tatar
authors.forename: Ayse Melike
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alparslan
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozeri
authors.forename: Senol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System; D001494:Baths; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature; D055815:Young Adult