Email this article Foot massage and warm foot soak for lowering blood pressure in pregnant women with hypertension
Abstract
Background: Hypertension during pregnancy remains one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This condition increases the risk of complications such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and placental abruption. As pharmacological treatments may pose risks to both the mother and fetus, non-pharmacological interventions have gained interest as safer complementary approaches to managing hypertension in pregnancy.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of foot massage therapy and warm water foot soaks in reducing blood pressure among pregnant women diagnosed with hypertension.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group design was conducted involving 72 pregnant women with hypertension. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and divided into two groups: one group (n=36) received foot massage therapy, while the other group (n=36) underwent warm water foot soaks. Both interventions were administered over a specific period, and blood pressure was measured before and after each session. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to assess within-group changes, while the Mann–Whitney U test evaluated differences between the groups.
Results: The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in both systolic (p = 0.00) and diastolic (p = 0.02) blood pressure in the foot massage group. Conversely, the warm water foot soak group did not show significant changes in systolic (p = 0.021) or diastolic (p = 0.026) pressure. Comparative analysis revealed that foot massage therapy was significantly more effective than warm water foot soaks in lowering blood pressure.
Conclusions: Foot massage therapy is a more effective non-pharmacological intervention than warm water foot soaks for reducing blood pressure in hypertensive pregnant women. It offers a simple, safe, and cost-effective complementary strategy that can be integrated into prenatal care practices to improve maternal health outcomes.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Sari LL, Rati Astuti E. Peran bidan sebagai motivator dalam promosi kesehatan pada ibu hamil. Jurnal Asuhan Ibu dan Anak. 2020 Aug 31;5(2):19–24. https://doi.org/10.33867/jaia.v5i2.185
Astuti ER, Nurdiati RDS, Rokhanawati D. Pengaruh pemberian asi terhadap lama masa nifas di puskesmas trucuk I. Jurnal Kebidanan dan Keperawatan Aisyiyah. 2018 Apr 30;12(1):69–76. https://doi.org/10.31101/jkk.127
Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. Profil Kesehatan Indonesia Tahun 2019 [Internet]. Jakarta; 2020 [cited 2025 Aug 6]. Available from: https://kemkes.go.id/id/profil-kesehatan-indonesia-2019
Dinas Kesehatan Provinsi Gorontalo. Profil Kesehatan Tahun 2018 [Internet]. Gorontalo; 2019 [cited 2025 Aug 6]. Available from: https://dinkes.gorontaloprov.go.id/profil-kesehatan/
Astuti ER, Husain FI, Sujawaty S. Literature review: Factors associated with hypertension in pregnancy. Journal Health & Science : Gorontalo Journal Health and Science Community. 2022 Oct 28;6(3):284–92. https://doi.org/10.35971/gojhes.v6i3.16523
Balwan WK, Kour S. A systematic review of hypertension and stress-the silent killers. Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences. 2021;9(6):150-154. https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2021.v09i06.002
Aisyah S, Uliyah M, Ulfaiza M. The Effect of Foot Massage Using Lemongrass Oil on Reducing the Intensity of Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain in the Elderly at the Aisyiyah Clinic, Ambulu Sub-district, Jember Regency. In 2023. p. 148–58. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-202-6_18
Ardiansyah M. Medikal bedah untuk mahasiswa. 1st ed. Dion, editor. Yogyakarta: Yogyakarta Diva Press; 2012.
Elvira M, Sinthania D, Dewi DS, Asman A, Arif M. The Effect of Foot Soak Therapy Using Warm Water on the Lowering Blood Pressure in Patients with Essential Hypertension. South East Asia Nursing Research. 2023 Jun 25;5(2):23. https://doi.org/10.26714/seanr.5.2.2023.23-29
Sari LT, Yuliastanti Y, Yuniarti H. Literature Review: The Application of Soak Feet Warm Water Therapy on Decrease Blood Preassure In Elderly With Hypertension. Midwifery and Nursing Research. 2021 Mar 31;3(1):13–6. https://ejournal.poltekkes-smg.ac.id/ojs/index.php/MANR/article/view/6593/0
Pramono JS, Arsyawina, Masita IK. Reducing Blood Pressure with Slow Stroke Back Massage and Warm Water Foot Soak on Isolated Systolic Hypertension Patients. International Journal of Nursing and Health Services. 2021;4(4):414–22. https://doi.org/10.35654/ijnhs.v4i4.467
Moini Jazani A, Nasimi Doost Azgomi H, Nasimi Doost Azgomi A, Nasimi Doost Azgomi R. Effect of hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa therapy on blood pressure: a mini-review. Int J Biometeorol. 2023 Sep 12;67(9):1387–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-023-02512-5
Sutisna MI, Rustandi B, Purwanti TF, Wulandari NA. The Effectiveness of Warm Water Foot Soaks and Progressive Muscle Relaxation to Reduce Blood Pressure Among Patients with Hypertension in Cihanjuang Rahayu Village, West Bandung, Indonesia. Asian Journal of Health and Applied Sciences. 2023; 2(3):16-21. https://doi.org/10.53402/ajhas.v2i3.384
Tompunuh MM, Astuti ER. Pijat Kaki pada Ibu Hamil Hipertensi. Gorontalo: CV. Mitra Keluarga Sehat; 2023.
Retni A, Umani RP. The Effect of Giving Effleurage Massage Techniques on Reduction of Labor Pain in Labor Pain in Women in Labor. Journal of Community Health Provision. 2023 Jul 20;3(2):39–47. https://doi.org/10.55885/jchp.v3i2.267
Astuti H, Syafriani S. Effleurage Massage and Acupressure’s Effectiveness in Reducing Labor Pain in Active Phase of First-Stage Labor at Tembilahan Hulu Health Center, Riau. Journal of Health and Nutrition Research. 2025 Apr 20;4(1):62–72. https://doi.org/10.56303/jhnresearch.v4i1.346
Utli H. Effects of Massage Therapy on Clinical Symptoms of Older People. Journal of Education and Research in Nursing. 2022 Apr 7;18(1):103–7. https://doi.org/10.5152/jern.2021.09327
Dareda K, Iman DP, Wicaksana MW. The Effect Of Foot Soak Therapy Using Warm Water On Reducing Blood Pressure In Hypertension Patients. Jurnal EduHealth. 2023;14(04):656–62. https://ejournal.seaninstitute.or.id/index.php/healt/article/view/3594
Afriannisyah E, Syafitasari J, Putri PS. Foot soak device to improve sleep quality for pregnant women. Science Midwifery. 2024;12(4):1486–92. https://doi.org/10.35335/midwifery.v12i4.1699
Timah S. The Effect Of Foot Soak Hydrotherapy With Warm Water On Lowering Blood Pressure In Elderly Patients With Hypertension. International Journal of Nursing Excellence. 2024;1(1):24–9. https://journal.nusakreatif.com/index.php/ijne/article/view/9
Setiawan LRS, Mardiyono, Santjaka A. The Effectiveness of Acupressure and Warm Foot Soak Hydrotherapy on Increasing Muscle Strength and Range of Motion among Non-Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients. International Journal of Nursing and Health Services. 2021;4(4):430–9. https://doi.org/10.35654/ijnhs.v4i4.486
Mulya C, Sulistyowati D, Astuti AB. Improving Sleep Quality and Blood Pressure Through Warm Foot Soak in the Elderly. Interest : Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan. 2025 Apr 24;83–9. https://doi.org/10.37341/interest.v12i1.715
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Jurnal Ners dan Kebidanan Indonesia (JNKI) indexed by:
