Keiko Yamamoto1, Shinya Nagata. 1. International University of Health and Welfare, 1-2-25, Shiroyama, Odawara-city, Kanagawa 250-8588, Japan. yamamoto-k@iuhw.ac.jp
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The wrapped warm footbath (WW-footbath) was originally designed as a means to promote relaxation, positive emotion, comfort, pleasure, and enjoyment in hospitalized patients with incurable stomach cancer during palliative care. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the physiological and psychological effects of the WW-footbath as complementary nursing intervention to induce relaxation in hospitalized patients with incurable cancer. METHODS: Eighteen subjects were divided into a footbath group (n=9) and a control group (n=9). Heart rate variability analysis (per second) with wavelet transformation was used for evaluation of autonomic, sympathetic, and parasympathetic activities. Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A and salivary cortisol levels were used as neuroimmunological parameters. Pain and psychological conditions were measured using a visual analog scale and Face Scale (FS). RESULTS: The high-frequency component of heart rate variability was not significantly increased in either group. However, the low-frequency component versus high-frequency ratio was significantly decreased in the footbath group at periods after footbath (P=.017, P=.000, P=.000, P=.003). In the footbath group, the salivary secretory immunoglobulin A level was significantly increased (P=.019), and the cortisol level tended to be reduced. Changes in visual analog scale and FS scores showed that the footbath group experienced significant pain relief and relaxation (pain, P=.047; relaxation, P=.042; comfortability, P=.008; FS, P=.013). CONCLUSIONS: The WW-footbath significantly decreased sympathetic activity in hospitalized patients with incurable cancer and may have secondary benefit for pain relief. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The WW-footbath can promote relaxation in hospitalized patients with incurable cancer. Moreover, the WW-footbath appears to afford pain relief associated with enhanced overall comfort.
BACKGROUND: The wrapped warm footbath (WW-footbath) was originally designed as a means to promote relaxation, positive emotion, comfort, pleasure, and enjoyment in hospitalized patients with incurable stomach cancer during palliative care. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the physiological and psychological effects of the WW-footbath as complementary nursing intervention to induce relaxation in hospitalized patients with incurable cancer. METHODS: Eighteen subjects were divided into a footbath group (n=9) and a control group (n=9). Heart rate variability analysis (per second) with wavelet transformation was used for evaluation of autonomic, sympathetic, and parasympathetic activities. Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A and salivary cortisol levels were used as neuroimmunological parameters. Pain and psychological conditions were measured using a visual analog scale and Face Scale (FS). RESULTS: The high-frequency component of heart rate variability was not significantly increased in either group. However, the low-frequency component versus high-frequency ratio was significantly decreased in the footbath group at periods after footbath (P=.017, P=.000, P=.000, P=.003). In the footbath group, the salivary secretory immunoglobulin A level was significantly increased (P=.019), and the cortisol level tended to be reduced. Changes in visual analog scale and FS scores showed that the footbath group experienced significant pain relief and relaxation (pain, P=.047; relaxation, P=.042; comfortability, P=.008; FS, P=.013). CONCLUSIONS: The WW-footbath significantly decreased sympathetic activity in hospitalized patients with incurable cancer and may have secondary benefit for pain relief. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The WW-footbath can promote relaxation in hospitalized patients with incurable cancer. Moreover, the WW-footbath appears to afford pain relief associated with enhanced overall comfort.
Authors: Jan Vagedes; Silja Kuderer; Katrin Vagedes; Stefan Hiller; Florian Beissner; Henrik Szőke; Stefanie Joos; Ursula Wolf Journal: Integr Cancer Ther Date: 2021 Jan-Dec Impact factor: 3.279
Authors: Jan Vagedes; Silja Kuderer; Eduard Helmert; Matthias Kohl; Florian Beissner; Henrik Szöke; Stefanie Joos; Ursula Wolf Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2021-07-12 Impact factor: 2.629