The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of foot reflex massage on depression and activation of internal organ in elder. The participants of the this study was 15 woman elderly person over 65 years old that was dwelled at nursing home. In this study, 30 minute foot reflex massages were performed on elderly for 4 weeks with the frequency of every other day, blood samples were collected prior to and after the study, and changes in their serum gastrin that represent their stomach conditions were observed. The results of this study showed serum gastrin increased, the upper abdominal pain, upper abdominal dysphoria, upper abdominal satiation, upper abdominal distention and belching decreased, and weekly frequency of defecation increased. All measured item were statistically significant.
In conclusion, this study showed the foot reflex massage does positive effect activation of internal organ in elderly person. This indicates that the foot reflex massage is an effect on Digesting functional obstacle on older person.
Key words: elderly, foot reflxologic massage, depression, gastrin, activation internal organs, fountinal dyspepsia