Analysis of Research Trends in Physiological Variables in Complementary and Alterative Therapy(CAT) in Korean Nursing

Byeon, Young Soon; Oak, Ji Won

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the trends in physiological variables in CAT research in nursing in Korea. METHOD: Of studies published in Korea between January, 2000 and December, 2005, 227 studies were analyzed according to the criteria of type, theme, and patterns in physiological variables related to CAT.
RESULTS
There were 72 articles on CAT research in which physiological variables were examined. The most frequently researched type of CAT was massage and in particular, foot massage. The most frequently used physiological variables in CAT research were blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature. Patients with high blood pressure were the most frequent subjects for CAT research. As to the effect of physiological variable by CAT type, foot massage showed a decline in blood pressure in all six research studies involving patients with high blood pressure.
CONCLUSION
There is a need to describe accurately the mechanism by which CAT affects physiological variables. There is also a need for repetitive analysis to verify the effect, and meta-analysis for the effect on physiological variables according to type of CAT.