The Effect of Foot Bath Therapy on the Dynamics of Cortical Oscillatory Waves in Healthy Humans: An EEG Study

摘要

Purpose: Foot bath therapy is a complementary medicine technique that induces sensations of comfort and relaxation. The effect of this therapy on electroencephalogram (EEG) has not been reported. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of foot bathing therapy on EEG in young healthy humans. Methods: Seventeen healthy males (median age=19.78 years, SD=2.03) volunteered for the study. Before commencement of the study, the participants rested for 10 minutes in order to stabilize autonomic parameters. Thereafter, EEG recording was conducted. Five minutes after EEG tracing was obtained, foot bathing therapy was done for a period of 15 minutes. A second EEG recording was carried out after therapy. Results: The power of the gamma frequency band of the EEG increased in both hemispheres (p??0.05) after foot bathing therapy compared to the EEG tracing obtained before therapy. Conclusions: Therefore cortical gamma waves of the EEG could be used as measures of functional activation of the brain, related to footbath therapy.