Changes of Autonomic Nervous Function after Foot Bathing in Normal Adults

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the changes of autonomic nervous function before and after foot bathing through autonomic function tests using electrophysiological instrument. METHOD: Twenty five healthy adults took a foot bathing through popular 'foot bath' for 30 minutes at 43degrees C. Autonomic tests were performed three times before foot bathing, immediately and 15 minutes after foot bathing. Sympathetic skin response (SSR) and blood pressure after sustained grip for sympathetic tone, heart rate variation during deep breathing and Valsalva maneuver for parasympathetic tone (Expiratory/Inspiratory (E/I) ratio, Valsalva ratio) were measured. RESULTS: SSR amplitudes in one hand decreased significantly during foot bathing (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Heat therapy through foot bathing in normal adults reduced sudomotor response to electrical stimuli, which can be considered as reduction of specific sympathetic nervous function. We propose that foot bathing could be promising one of partial heat therapies for pain without cardiovascular complications unlike conventional whole body bathing.