Effects of Foot-Reflexology Massage on Fatigue, Stress and Postpartum Depression in Postpartum Women

PURPOSE: To identify the effects of foot reflexology massage on fatigue, stress and depression of postpartum women. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pre-post design was used. A total of 70 women in a postpartum care center were recruited and were assigned to the experimental group (35) or control group (35). Foot reflexology massage was provided to the experimental group once a day for three days. Data were collected before and after the intervention program which was carried out from December, 2013 to February, 2014. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and t-test. RESULTS: The level of fatigue in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t= - 2.74, p =.008). The level of cortisol in the urine of women in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t= - 2.19, p =.032). The level of depression in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (t= - 3.00, p =.004). CONCLUSION: The results show that the foot reflexology massage is an effective nursing intervention to relieve fatigue, stress, and depression for postpartum women.

Effects of Noise Block on Anxiety and Vital Sign of Patients with Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgery in Operating Room / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the effects of noise block on anxiety and vital sign of gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: The data were collected from March to May 2011. Participants were sixty patients with gynecologic laparoscopic surgery, divided into 30 of experimental group and 30 of control group at C University hospital located in I city. The day before surgery, demographic data, trait-state anxiety and vital signs were measured at ward. After noise block, the data were measured using VAS anxiety and vital signs before anesthesia and in recovery room. And then state anxiety and vital signs were measured in ward after surgery. The data were analyzed by chi2-test, t-test, repeated measured ANOVA and Bonferroni comparison method using SPSS/WIN 19.0. RESULTS: After conducting noise block program, the experimental group showed significant decrease in state anxiety and heart rate compared to those of the control group. But there were not significant differences in VAS anxiety, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure between two groups. CONCLUSION: This program can be regarded as an effective nursing intervention for the management of anxiety with gynecologic laparoscopic surgery.