J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2010 Feb;34(1):74-78.

Changes of Autonomic Nervous Function after Foot Bathing in Normal Adults

• Kim HD
• Do HK
• Um MJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To monitor the changes of autonomic nervous function before and after foot bathing through autonomic function tests using electrophysiological instrument. METHOD: Twenty five healthy adults took a foot bathing through popular 'foot bath' for 30 minutes at 43degrees C. Autonomic tests were performed three times before foot bathing, immediately and 15 minutes after foot bathing. Sympathetic skin response (SSR) and blood pressure after sustained grip for sympathetic tone, heart rate variation during deep breathing and Valsalva maneuver for parasympathetic tone (Expiratory/Inspiratory (E/I) ratio, Valsalva ratio) were measured.
RESULTS
SSR amplitudes in one hand decreased significantly during foot bathing (p<0.05) and did not return to their initial levels within 15 minutes after foot bathing. But, blood pressure after sustained grip, E/I ratio and Valsalva ratio did not show statistical difference (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Heat therapy through foot bathing in normal adults reduced sudomotor response to electrical stimuli, which can be considered as reduction of specific sympathetic nervous function. We propose that foot bathing could be promising one of partial heat therapies for pain without cardiovascular complications unlike conventional whole body bathing.

Keyword

Baths; Autonomic nervous system; Galvanic skin response; Heart rate; Blood pressure

MeSH Terms

Adult
Autonomic Nervous System
Baths
Blood Pressure
Foot
Galvanic Skin Response
Hand
Hand Strength
Heart Rate
Hot Temperature
Humans
Organothiophosphorus Compounds
Respiration
Skin
Valsalva Maneuver
Organothiophosphorus Compounds