Examination of physiological indices of dyspnea in cancer patients

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24593341
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Clinical nursing
• Research Institution: Sugiyama Jogakuen University (2015); The Japanese Red Cross Toyota College of Nursing (2012-2014)
• Principal Investigator: MAEDA SETSUKO 椙山女学園大学, 看護学部, 准教授 (40559142)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): YAMAMOTO KEIKO 沖縄県立看護大学, 教授 (70269380)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: がん看護 / 呼吸困難感 / 自律神経活動 / リフレクソロジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we evaluated the effects of foot reflexology (i.e., pressing and rubbing the calf and sole) on dyspnea in cancer patients using either subjective indices or response and autonomic nerve activity. Following reflexology,dyspnea decreased. Evaluation of autonomic nerve activities showed decreases in heart rate and increases in Parasympathetic nerve after reflexology.Based on these results, it appears that foot reflexology may alter the sensation of dyspnea in patients. Additionally, we did not find that autonomic nerve activity to be a useful physiologic index for evaluating the sensation of dyspnea in cancer patients.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学