Abstract

• Purpose
  This study was to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure, serum lipids level and life satisfaction in essential hypertension patients.
• Method
  The research design used was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Foot Reflexology was used as the experimental treatment from June 23rd, 2003 until August 31st, 2003. Thirty-four subjects were assigned to an experimental group(18) and control group(16). Foot Reflexology was administered twice a week for 6 weeks and self foot Reflexology was administered twice a week for 4 weeks on the experimental group.
• Result
  There was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure but no significant decrease indiastolic pressure in the experimental group compared to the control group. The total cholesterol level in the experimental group compared to the control group was not significantly decreased after foot reflexology. However, the triglyceride level in theexperimental group compared to the control group was significantly decreased after foot reflexology. On the other hand, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein levels in the experimental group compared to the control group was not significantly decreased after foot reflexology. Life satisfaction in the experimental group compared to the control group was significantly improved after foot reflexology.
• Conclusion
  The results proved that foot reflexology was an effective nursing intervention to decrease systolic pressure, and triglyceride but not for the blood cholesterol and to improve life satisfaction. Therefore, blood cholesterol should be further evaluated in a larger group of subjects and for a longer period. Further research is regarded as necessary to evaluate and to compareeffects of self-foot reflexology and foot reflexology.
• Keywords: Reflexology; Essential hypertension

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• A randomized controlled trial of reflexology effect after abdominal surgery on patient satisfaction, pain and vital signs
  Gürkan Kapıkıran, Semra Bulbuloglu, Huseyin Gunes, Serdar Saritaş, Bilsev Demir
  EXPLORE.2023; 19(4): 565.     CrossRef
• The effect of reflexology on the quality of life with breast cancer patients
  Afitap Özdelikara, Mehtap Tan
  Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.2017; 29: 122.     CrossRef
• The blood pressure response to foot reflexology adjunct to transcendental meditation training on postmenopausal hypertension
  Ghada Ebrahim El-Refaye, Hany Farid Eid Morsy Elsisi
  Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.2017; 4(1): 4.     CrossRef
• Effects of Self-Foot Reflexology on the Stress, Fatigue and Sleep Pattern of the Nursing Students
  Gyoo-Yeong CHO
  JOURNAL OF FISHRIES AND MARINE SCIENCES EDUCATION.2017; 29(2): 386.     CrossRef
• The Effects of Hypertension Self-help Program on Hypertension-related Knowledge, Self-efficacy, Self-management Compliance and Physiological Parameters in Workers
  Mi-Young Gi, Young-Hae Park
  Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2012; 21(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Effects of Moxibustion on Physiological Indices and Autonomic Nervous Symptoms in Adults with Prehypertension
  Soon Hee Cho
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2010; 40(5): 686.     CrossRef