• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.495-505
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• 2013

This study aims to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy and a foot reflex massage program on the cognition, anxiety, aggressive behavior, and wandering behavior of elderly with dementia. The research design was a non-equivalent control group, quasi-experimental study where 43 subjects were divided into two groups. Aromatherapy and foot reflex massage was administered to the experimental group (N=21), and no treatment was administered to the control group (N=22). The data was analyzed using the ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, while the repeated measures of ANOVA were utilized with the SPSS/Win 18.0 program. The experimental group did not show significant differences in cognitive function; however, it showed significant differences in anxiety, aggressive behavior, and wandering behavior in relation to the control group. Thus this research suggests aromatherapy and a foot reflex massage program as nursing intervention to improve the quality of life of elderly with dementia.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy and foot reflex massage on emotion, sleep disturbance and wandering behavior in older adults with dementia. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group. A total of 39 participants were divided into two groups. Aromatherapy and foot reflex massage was administrated to experimental group (N=19). There was no treatment for the control group (N=20). Data were analyzed using the SPSS/Win 18.0 program. Results: Experimental group showed significant differences in emotion, sleep disturbance and wandering behavior in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: The results showed that aromatherapy and foot reflex massage program was effective on emotion, sleep and decreasing a wandering behavior in older adults with dementia. This research suggests that aromatherapy and foot reflex massage could be recommended as a nursing intervention for enhancing quality of life in older adults with dementia.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.17-30
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aroma therapy and foot reflex massage on stress, depression, and sleep pattern of institutionalized elderly. The design of this study was non-equivalent control group pre-posttest design. The data were collected from February 24 to April 9 of 2005. Fifty-one elderly were divided into two groups, 26 institutionalized elderly for the experimental group and 25 institutionalized elderly for the control group. The experimental group underwent aromatherapy and foot reflex massage two days per week(40 minutes per session} over five weeks period. Stress(subjective stress and serum cortisol level), depression, and sleep pattern were assessed in both groups before and after intervention. Five weeks after intervention were spended, the experimental group was again assessed. Five weeks without intervention were spended, the control group was again assessed. The data were analyzed by the statistical program SPSS WIN 12. The results of this study were as follows; $\cdot$ Stress of the experimental group with the intervention was significantly lower than that of the control group. $\cdot$ Depression of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group. $\cdot$ Sleep pattern of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. In conclusion, the aroma therapy and foot reflex massage program had positive effect on Institutionalized elderly's on stress(subjective stress and serum cortisol level), depression, and sleep pattern.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.187-196
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• 2010

Recently, people have been suffering from stress-related fatigue and psychological disorders. Most people depend on medicine for pain relief; many treat pain also through alternative medicine or replacement therapy. However, drug therapy has many side effects, including increased stress after the therapy. In comparison, alternative therapies such as massage and foot reflexology are less damaging to the body, and such therapies can be provided without physical or psychological discomfort. In this regard, the author had previously co-developed color foot reflexology, which combines the merits of color therapy and foot reflexology; color foot reflexology has been shown to have beneficial effects without undue pain. This study investigates the effects of color foot reflexology on the physiological response of the body by comparing the body’s response to the signal with that to the placebo. Healthy adult subjects were selected for the experiment, which was conducted under optimal experimental conditions and design. The results indicated that when stimulated, parasympathetic nerves increased in HRV and that blood pressure, pulse, body heat, peripheral blood flow were dramatically activated. However, the results for the placebo indicated minimal changes or irregular outcomes. The results provide strong evidence for the beneficial effects of the color foot reflexology instrument on the autonomic nervous system and on the physiological response of the body. Future research is warranted to verify the results of the current study by examining patients suffering from diseases and disorders arising from irregular physiological functions in the context of the foot.