• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.142-149
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was designed to identify the effects of heat therapy on dysmenorrhea, heat being provided using a far infrared rays heating element. Methods: The research design for the study was a non-equivalent control group quasi- experimental design. Participants were 22 students for the experimental group, and 26 students for the control group. Data were analyzed using SAS WIN 9.1 program. Results: The experimental group had significantly lower mean scores for menstrual pain, dysmenorrhea, and blood pressure than those in the control group. However, no significant differences were found between two groups for pulse, respiration, and temperature. Conclusion: These findings show that thermotherapy was effective for reduction of menstrual pain, dysmenorrhea, and B/P. Therefore, this therapy could be used as a nursing intervention for students with dysmenorrhea.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 2015

Purpose: For hemodialysis, a vascular access which can maintain a certain speed for a long time is required. The prevention of the vascular access dysfunction is very important to decrease morbidity and to improvethe quality of life of patients receiving hemodialysis It is reported that far infrared heat increases the blood flow by expanding capillaries and micro-arteriovenouses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of far infrared heat therapy as a new nursing intervention for maintaining vascular access function and improving the blood flow of patients receiving hemodialysis. Methods: The quasi-experimental research of nonequivalent control group pre-post test design was carried out for 59 patients receiving hemodialysis 3 times per week at K medical center. A far infrared heat was applied to the experimental group for 3 months. Results: The arteriovenous fistula blood flow of the experimental group (far infrared heat therapy group) increased significantly when compared to the control group (p=.047). However, static intra-access pressure ratio(SIAPR)was not different statistically (p=.101). Conclusion: The far infrared therapy could be considered as nursing intervention of choice as it demonstrated increase in the arteriovenous fistula blood flow in the patients receiving hemodialysis.