2008 Volume 31 Issue 5 Pages 5_21-5_27
In the present study, we investigated effects of foot massage on autonomic nervous activity. Eighteen female students participated in this experiment. All subjects maintained semi-supine position throughout the experiment. In massage group,nine subjects underwent 20-min stimulation to soles, toes, ankles, and lower legs. The other nine subjects in control group only maintained rest without massage throughout the experiment. The heart rate decreased significantly and the high-frequency power of R-R interval variability in the range of 0.15-0.40 Hz increased significantly during the first ２ min from the beginning of massage. On the other hand, the low-frequency power of R-R interval variability and blood pressure variability in the range of 0.04-0.15 Hz, and high-frequency power of R-R interval variability increased significantly after the end of the massage. These results indicated that cardiac parasympathetic nervous activity was activated in the initial phase of foot massage. Moreover, cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activities, in addition to sympathetic vasomotor activity, were augmented after the 20-min foot massage. Foot massage during nursing care is expected to increase autonomic nervous activity.
