The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of monetary motivation on the relationship between pain-related fear and avoidance behavior.

Eighty healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to one of four groups in accordance with task conditions of pain-related fear (high or low) and monetary motivation (high or low).

The autonomic nervous system was more active in the high pain-related fear group than in the low pain-related fear group as the participants watched a video and performed a task. Also, pain-related fear and monetary motivation had a significant interaction effect on avoidance behavior. High monetary motivation was associated with a shorter delay time during task performance in the high pain-related fear group. No significant difference was observed in the delay time in the low pain-related fear group.

This study provides empirical evidence supporting the modified fear-avoidance model and experimentally proves the activation of the goal shielding mechanism.

The purpose of the study was to explore whether the effect of Huanglian-jie-du granule depends on the baseline heart rate variability in patients with Hwa-byung.

We used the supplementary data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Huanglian-jie-du granule for Hwa-byung patients. Study drugs were taken orally three times per day for one week. Heart rate variability was measured three times; before the treatment, after the treatment, and month follow-up period. Spearman’s rho test was done to explore the role of the baseline heart rate variability to the effect of Huanglian-jie-du granule.

Baseline low frequency power of heart rate variability was negatively correlated with the reduction of the insomnia severity index in experimental group (r=−0.493 p=0.02). Also, Huanglian-jie-de granule significantly decreased the low frequency power of heart rate variability in patients with Hwa-byung compared to placebo (mean difference 266 [95% CI: 29∼503], p=0.028). In Hwa-byung symptoms, stuffy, pushing up in the chest, and flush of anger were correlated with low frequency power of heart rate variability (p=0.010, p=0.000, and p=0.016, respectively).

The effect of the Huanglian-jie-de granule for insomnia seems to be lower when the baseline low frequency power of heart rate variability is higher in Hwa-byung patients. Also, Huanglian-jie-de granule is likely to decrease the sympathetic activity in patients with Hwa-byung. Measurement of heart rate variability may be the useful to understand the state of Hwa-byung patients.

The aim of this study is to verify the effects of EDT on stress, fatigue, sleep and HRV in nurses. The study was a quasi-experiment using nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design.

Experimental treatment was to contact EDT 3 points on the body surface. EDT touch used the first fingerprint of the thumb for 3 minutes on the frontal branch of superficial temporal area, 3 minutes on the facial area, and 4 minutes on the axillary area. EDT was applied 10 minutes, twice a week for 5 weeks.

Data were analyzed with SPSS 23.0 program. As a result, stress, fatigue, sleep, and HRV were statistically significant difference in both groups.

EDT can be used not only for nurses’ health maintenance and promotion but also for independent nursing intervention at clinical practice.