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

Figures & data

Table 1 Characteristics of study participants (n = 13)

Characteristic	Subjects
Age, years (mean ± SD)	82.69 ± 6.53
Sex
Male	2
Female	11
Physical and mental condition
Cognitive impairment (MMSE score 12–24)	13
Depression	5
Depressive neurosis	1
Hypertension	10
Hypotension	1
Cardiac insufficiency	2

Abbreviations: MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 Effect of steam foot spa treatments on cognitive function, behavioral symptoms, and psychological symptoms

Assessment tool	Before (mean ± SD)	After (mean ± SD)
DBD	16.31 ± 7.28	17.31 ± 8.17
DMAS (total 24 items)	40.00 ± 13.57	34.77 ± 16.20
Depression and sadness (items 1–17)	31.46 ± 11.37	27.84 ± 14.07
Overall dementia severity (items 18–24)	8.54 ± 4.55	6.92 ± 3.87*
MMSE	18.38 ± 3.69	22.92 ± 3.97**

Notes: n = 13;

* P < 0.05;

** P < 0.01.

Abbreviations: MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; DBD, Dementia Behavior Disturbance scale; DMAS, Dementia Mood Assessment Scale; SD, standard deviation.

Table 3 Fluctuations in blood pressure with steam foot spa

	Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)			Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
	Before (mean)	After (mean)	Variance	Before (mean)	After (mean)	Variance
1	147.7	142.5	−5.2	93.7	89.1	−4.6
2	160.5	139.5	−21.0	83.1	68.7	−14.4
3	138.3	130.3	−8.0	76.2	70.8	−5.4
4	124.5	116.9	−7.6	83.3	77.4	−5.9
5	87.6	94.1	+6.5	47.7	61.2	+13.5
6	147.3	140.8	−6.5	78.7	75.3	−3.4
7	152.8	132.4	−20.4	95.0	82.8	−12.2
8	154.3	140.0	−14.3	77.8	73.9	−3.9
9	151.6	115.1	−36.5	79.6	64.5	−15.1
10	133.5	129.5	−4.0	81	72.9	−8.1
11	162.8	160.5	−2.3	90.3	94.3	+4.0
12	154.7	136.7	−18.0	78.5	68.5	−10.0
13	158.0	120.5	−37.5	80.7	69.3	−11.4
Mean ± SD	144.12 ± 5.6	130.68 ± 4.53	14.45 ± 11.32	80.43 ± 3.21	74.512 ± 2.62	8.83 ± 4.27

Note: Each value is the average of the values of blood pressure for 10 days.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Table 4 Effect of steam foot spa treatments on physiological responses and on sleep–wake rhythm

Physiological responses	Before (mean ± SD)	After (mean ± SD)
Tympanic temperature (°C)	35.87 ± 0.37	36.14 ± 0.36**
SpO2 (%)	96.56 ± 1.22	96.43 ± 1.28
Pulse (beats/minute)	69.23 ± 8.61	69.05 ± 8.63
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	144.12 ± 19.42	130.68 ± 15.72**
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	80.43 ± 11.11	74.51 ± 9.09*
Sleep–wake rhythm	First week (mean ± SD)	Second week (mean ± SD)
Total sleep time (minutes)	531.37 ± 134.77	555.95 ± 139.05
Night-time sleep (minutes)	383.18 ± 133.94	367.18 ± 122.96
Night-time sleep efficiency (%)	85.21 ± 7.36	85.72 ± 8.69

Notes: n = 13;

* P < 0.05;

** P < 0.01.

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; SpO₂, percutaneous oxygen saturation.