Effect of a steam foot spa on geriatric inpatients with cognitive impairment: a pilot study

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate whether a steam foot spa improves cognitive impairment in geriatric inpatients.

Methods

Geriatric inpatients with cognitive impairment were given a steam foot spa treatment at 42°C for 20 minutes for 2 weeks (5 days/week). Physiological indicators such as blood pressure, percutaneous oxygen saturation, pulse, tympanic temperature, and sleep time and efficiency were assessed. Cognitive function and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, Dementia Mood Assessment Scale, and Dementia Behavior Disturbance scale.

Results

Significant decreases in systolic (P < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05) along with a significant increase in tympanic temperature (P < 0.01) were observed after the steam foot spas. A significant improvement was seen in the Mini-Mental State Examination score (P < 0.01) and the overall dementia severity items in Dementia Mood Assessment Scale (P < 0.05).

Limitations

Japanese people are very fond of foot baths. However, it is difficult to understand why inpatients cannot receive steam foot baths. In this study, a control group was not used. Raters and enforcers were not blinded.

Conclusion

The results of this pilot study suggest that steam foot spas mitigate cognitive impairment in geriatric inpatients.

Keywords:

• steam foot spa
• geriatric inpatients
• cognitive impairment
• tympanic temperature

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr Mitsuhiro Kawai for his contribution to this study. This study was supported, in part, by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Grant Number 20500458).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.