J Korean Community Nurs.  2002 Mar;13(1):17-29.

Effects of Self-foot Reflexology Shown in Hypertension Workers

• Cha NH

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Self-foot reflexology (SFR) on the hypertension of workers. The purpose of the research was to evaluate: levels of knowledge, physical and emotional condition, work stress and fatigue on the hypertension of employees in the workplace. Quasi-experimental study was designed in the setting of a nonequivalent control and experimental Group applied by the pre and post test. The total subjects undertaken in the study were total of 34 employees working in three companies in Seoul. The SFR program was consisted of 6 phases. There were 2 minutes for preparation, 4 minutes for slow down, 26 minutes for base reflex, symptoms of a disease reflex and excretion reflex stimulation. Finally, there was 20 minutes relaxation in a comfortable posture and drinking hot water after blood pressure was checked in the order. This program was running 55 minutes a day everyday three times a week during the entire 8 week course. The finding showed blood pressure was reduced significantly. Moreover, the level of total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, depression, work stress, and fatigue were decreased in the study. But, they were not statistically significant except as it related to Group comparisons in time. The level of state anxiety was statistically significant between 2 Groups, but not in the time comparison of both Groups. As a summary of the study results, the SFR program was regarded as contributing to the physical and emotional promotion of employees. It had partially increased body circulations of functional organ related to the SFR sites. And, it improved relaxation of physical and mental condition through energy movement 'Chi'. Therefore, the SFR technique should be considered as an effective skill of a nursing program. Furthermore, it can be newly adopted as a nursing curriculum as a part of alternative treatment. However, it still needed to testify its effects through the review study.

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Blood Pressure
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, LDL
Curriculum
Depression
Drinking
Fatigue
Hypertension*
Massage*
Nursing
Posture
Reflex
Relaxation
Running
Seoul
Water
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, LDL
Water