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 43^oC. 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 (p＜0.05) and did not return to their initial levels within 15 minutes after foot bathing. But, blood pressure after sustained grip, E/I ratio and Valsalva ratio did not show statistical difference (p＞0.05). 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. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2010; 34: 74-78)

• Keywords: Baths, Autonomic nervous system, Galvanic skin response, Heart rate, Blood pressure