Abstract
The purpose of this study was to verify the relaxation effects of hand massage combined with a hot compress (hot compress massage), which can be used in home care. The subjects were 6 local residents (mean age, 50.2±3.3 years, and hot compress massage was applied by 6 nurses who had previously received training in this technique. Measurements were made using an acceleration pulse wave measuring device (TAS9VIEW), and the indices of autonomic nervous system activity were the high frequency component (HF), the low frequency component (LF), and the ratio of the two (LF/HF) obtained from analysis of heart rate variability. Mood was evaluated using the Profile of Mood States Brief Form Japanese Version (POMS). The results showed that HF exceeded 100% immediately after the start of hot compress massage, and a 138.4% increase persisted from care after the start. LF/HF decreased immediately after the start until approximately 5 min after the start 69.5% (P＜0.05), after which the decrease persisted. There were no significant differences in POMS before and after hot compress massage, but Tension-Anxiety showed a slight decrease and Vigor showed a tendency to increase. Hot compress massage takes about 8 min to administer, and the results of this study suggest that it is a form of care in which parasympathetic nervous activity functions significantly.
