Korean J Adult Nurs.  2014 Apr;26(2):171-180. 10.7475/kjan.2014.26.2.171.

Effects of Upper Meridian Massage on Cerebral Blood flow, Emotions, and Sleep of the Institutionalized Elderly

• Uhm DC
• Nam MJ

• KMID: 2351601
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2014.26.2.171

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to investigate the effects of upper meridian massage on cerebral blood flow, emotions, and sleep of the institutionalized elderly.
METHODS
This study was a nonequivalent control group pre- and post-test design. The participants were 50 elderly (26 in the experimental group; 24 in the control group) living in the institutions. Data were collected between July 9 and September 1, 2011. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and chi2-test, Repeated Measures ANOVA, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Each participant in the experimental group received the upper meridian massage for 10 minutes, 4 times per week for 2 weeks. Each participant's cerebral blood flow and self-reported questionnaires were tested before treatment, after 1 week and 2 weeks during treatment sessions.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in sleep and emotions after 1 week and 2 weeks during treatment sessions. But cerebral blood flow measured by common carotid artery pulsatility index (CCA PI) and common carotid artery resistance index (CCA RI) demonstrated significant differences in 2 week point in time.
CONCLUSION
These results indicated that upper meridian massage could be an effective intervention for improving cerebral blood flow, emotions, and sleep of the institutionalized elderly.

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Carotid Artery, Common
Humans
Massage*
Surveys and Questionnaires