J Korean Acad Nurs.  2011 Feb;41(1):110-118. 10.4040/jkan.2011.41.1.110.

Effects of Self-Foot Reflexology on Stress, Fatigue, Skin Temperature and Immune Response in Female Undergraduate Students

• Lee YM

• KMID: 1007014
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.1.110

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of self-foot reflexology on stress (perceived stress, urine cortisol level, and serum cortisol level), fatigue, skin temperature and immune response in female undergraduate students.
METHODS
The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-post test design. Participants were 60 university students: 30 in the experiment group and 30 in the control group. The period of this study was from April to June 2010. The program was performed for 1 hr a session, three times a week for 6 weeks. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program.
RESULTS
The results showed that self-foot reflexology was effective in reducing perceived stress and fatigue, and raised skin temperature in female undergraduate students. But cortisol levels and immune response were not statistically significant different.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate that self-foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention in reducing perceived stress and fatigue and, in improving skin temperature. Therefore, it is recommended that this be used in clinical practice as an effective nursing intervention for in female undergraduate students.

Keyword

Reflexology; Stress; Fatigue; Skin temperature; Immune response

MeSH Terms

Demography
Fatigue/*therapy
Female
Foot
Humans
Hydrocortisone/blood/urine
Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
Lymphocyte Count
Massage/*methods
*Skin Temperature
Stress, Psychological/*therapy
Young Adult