Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2003 Dec;6(2):152-163.

Effect of Foot Reflex Massage on Stress Responses, and Glucose Level of Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Patients

• Kim KS

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on vital signs, general fatigue, foot fatigue, mood, and blood glucose levels in noninsulin dependent patients. METHOD: The Research design of this study was nonequivalent control group quasi-experimental design. 18 patients were assigned to the experimental group, 24 patients to the control group. The data were obtained diaberic patients with ambulatory endocrine outpatients clinic patients from 40 years old to 70 years old. Experimental groups received foot reflex massage for 30minutes three times/week every other days, and Control groups did not received foot reflex massage. The dependent variables were blood pressure, pulse rate. visual analogue scale for general fatigue, foot fatigue, mood. and blood sugar levels. Data were analyzed with chi2test. t-test and repeated measure ANOVA at .0.05 level of significance.
RESULTS
There were significant difference in the pulse rate, general fatigue. foot fatigue and mood according to group and time between pre and post foot reflexology. But this research did not prove to decrease blood sugar levels. Conclusions Foot reflexology can imorove pulse rate, general and foot fatigue, and mood status in diabetus patients. So further research need to explore the effect of decreasing of blood sugar levels.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Blood Glucose
Blood Pressure
Diabetes Mellitus*
Fatigue
Foot*
Glucose*
Heart Rate
Humans
Massage*
Outpatients
Reflex*
Research Design
Vital Signs
Blood Glucose
Glucose