No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Repeated Thermal Therapy Diminishes Appetite Loss and Subjective Complaints in Mildly Depressed Patients
Abstract
We observed that repeated thermal therapy improved appetite loss and general well-being in patients with chronic heart failure. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of repeated thermal therapy in mildly depressed patients with appetite loss and subjective complaints.
Twenty-eight mildly depressed inpatients with general fatigue, appetite loss, and somatic and mental complaints were randomly assigned to thermal therapy group (n = 14) or nonthermal therapy group (n = 14). Patients in the thermal therapy group were treated with 60 degrees C far-infrared ray dry sauna for 15 minutes and were then kept at bed rest with a blanket for 30 minutes once a day, 5 days a week for a total of 20 sessions in 4 weeks.
Four weeks after admission, somatic complaints, hunger, and relaxation scores significantly improved (p < .001, p < .0001, p < .0001, respectively) and mental complaints slightly improved (p = .054) in the thermal therapy group compared with the nonthermal therapy group. Furthermore, the plasma ghrelin concentrations and daily caloric intake in the thermal therapy group significantly increased compared with the nonthermal therapy group (p < .05).
These findings suggest that repeated thermal therapy may be useful for mildly depressed patients with appetite loss and subjective complaints.
... Sauna bathing, an activity linked to relaxation and well-being, which is commonly used and readily available in Nordic countries especially [13] has been linked with numerous health benefits which include improvement in the pain and symptoms associated with musculoskeletal diseases, treatment of chronic headache and reduced risk of respiratory diseases, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and mortality [14][15][16]. Frequent sauna bathing has also been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease [17] and reduces the symptoms of depression [18]. Other passive heat therapies such as Waon therapy, A c c e p t e d m a n u s c r i p t infrared saunas, and whole-body hyperthermia have also been shown to relieve stress and improve the symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety [18][19][20]. ...
... Frequent sauna bathing has also been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease [17] and reduces the symptoms of depression [18]. Other passive heat therapies such as Waon therapy, A c c e p t e d m a n u s c r i p t infrared saunas, and whole-body hyperthermia have also been shown to relieve stress and improve the symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety [18][19][20]. ...
... To the best of our knowledge, the prospective association between sauna bathing and the risk of psychotic disorders has not been previously investigated and therefore it is difficult to directly compare our study findings to previous evidence. However, there is evidence to suggest A c c e p t e d m a n u s c r i p t that other types of passive heat therapy such as infrared saunas and Waon therapy improve the mood and reduce depression as well as fatigue, anxiety and stress [18,19]. A number of studies have also shown that sauna exposure is associated with a reduced risk of several adverse health outcomes [14][15][16]. ...
Objective:
Sauna bathing has been suggested to promote mental well-being and relaxation, but the evidence is uncertain with respect to mental disorders. We aimed to assess the association of frequency of sauna bathing with risk of psychosis in the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease prospective population-based study.
Subjects and methods:
Baseline sauna bathing habits were assessed in 2,138 men aged 42 - 61 years who had no history of psychotic disorders. Participants were classified into three groups based on the frequency of sauna bathing (once, 2 - 3 and 4 - 7 times per week).
Results:
During a median follow-up of 24.9 years, 203 psychotic disorders were recorded. A total of 537, 1,417, and 184 participants reported having a sauna bath once a week, 2 - 3 times, and 4 - 7 times per week, respectively. In Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, compared to men who had one sauna session per week, the hazard ratio (95% confidence intervals) of psychosis for 4 - 7 sauna sessions per week was 0.23 (0.09 - 0.58). In a multivariable model adjusted for several risk factors and other potential confounders, the corresponding hazard ratio was 0.21 (0.08 - 0.52). The association was similar after further adjustment for total energy intake, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and C-reactive protein 0.22 (0.09 - 0.54) and was unchanged on additional adjustment for duration of a sauna session and temperature of the sauna bath 0.23 (0.09 - 0.57).
Conclusion:
Our study suggests a strong inverse and independent association between frequent sauna bathing and the future risk of psychotic disorders in a general male population.
... Various bodily mechanisms can explain the effect of thermotherapy via hot water packs on depression, particularly hemodynamic and metabolic mechanisms. The application of heat locally to the shoulders and knees warms the blood in the skin (Masuda, Nakazato, Kihara, Minagoe, & Tei, 2005) and subsequently stimulates cellular responses with regard to metabolic activity as well as increases blood flow into the body and the supply of oxygen, nutrients, and antibodies to the affected area (Cameron, 2013). Brain chemicals called beta-endorphins are then produced indirectly; these chemicals and catecholamine compounds play an important role in reducing stress (Masuda et al., 2005). ...
... The application of heat locally to the shoulders and knees warms the blood in the skin (Masuda, Nakazato, Kihara, Minagoe, & Tei, 2005) and subsequently stimulates cellular responses with regard to metabolic activity as well as increases blood flow into the body and the supply of oxygen, nutrients, and antibodies to the affected area (Cameron, 2013). Brain chemicals called beta-endorphins are then produced indirectly; these chemicals and catecholamine compounds play an important role in reducing stress (Masuda et al., 2005). By exhibiting psychosomatic relaxation and sedative effects, repeated thermal therapy decreases mental complaints including depression (Masuda et al., 2005). ...
... Brain chemicals called beta-endorphins are then produced indirectly; these chemicals and catecholamine compounds play an important role in reducing stress (Masuda et al., 2005). By exhibiting psychosomatic relaxation and sedative effects, repeated thermal therapy decreases mental complaints including depression (Masuda et al., 2005). ...
Purpose:
The study examined the effect of home-based thermotherapy combined with therapeutic exercise on muscle strength and depression in patients with ischemic stroke via a weekly evaluation over 4 weeks.
Design/methods:
A quasi-experimental, pre-/posttest research design without a control group was employed. A total of 22 patients participated. Self-reported daily logs were used to evaluate intervention adherence over the study period. The manual muscle testing and Aphasic Depression Rating Scale were administered at baseline and weekly for 4 weeks.
Results:
Muscle strength in both the upper and lower limbs significantly increased (p < .05), whereas the depression score significantly decreased (p < .05).
Conclusion:
The intervention increased muscle strength and decreased depression during the first 3 months after stroke onset. The significant effects were found beginning during the third week of the intervention.
Clinical relevance:
This intervention is inexpensive and can be easily applied by caregivers at home.
... Over the past two decades, the biological benefits of FIR have been studied and have served as a treatment of vascular-related disorders [1][2][3]. At a wavelength ranging between 4 and 14 µm [4][5][6], the FIR can trigger both thermal and non-thermal effects at the molecular level to affect the health of a whole living organism [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Through the resonance absorption process of the human body, the FIR can operate from inside tissues to promote body metabolism more effectively than a single heating of the skin surface. ...
... Through the resonance absorption process of the human body, the FIR can operate from inside tissues to promote body metabolism more effectively than a single heating of the skin surface. The FIR has been proven effective in healing wounds [7], relieving pain [8][9][10][11], ameliorating fatigue [10][11][12][13], and improving mood [5,9,[11][12][13][14]. ...
... FIR has generally been evaluated as an effective, safe, and non-pharmacologic alternative for promoting human health [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. However, the multiple beneficial effects and the mechanism of FIR on pain relief and the modification of mental disorders remain poorly understood. ...
The purpose of this study is to assess the beneficial effects of a far-infrared-emitting collar (FIRC) on the management of neck disorders. A neck disorder is generalized as neck muscle pain and its relative mental disorders because the etiologies of the neck's multidimensional syndrome are either muscle impairment or psychiatric distress. This is the first study to determine the efficacy of a FIRC by evaluating objective physical evidence and psychometric self-reports using a parallel-arm randomized sham-controlled and single-blinded design. In this trial, 60 participants with neck disorders were observed at baseline and post-intervention. Compared to the placebo group after a 30-min intervention, the FIRC demonstrated a statistically significant biological effect in elevating skin temperature and promoting blood circulation with p-values 0.003 and 0.020, respectively. In addition, FIRC application significantly reduced neck muscle tension, relieved pain, ameliorated fatigue, improved depression, and decreased anxiety. The FIRC could therefore be a potential treatment for neck disorders.
... Several studies have reported the effects of repeated sauna therapy in patients with CHF [3,4,7,15,16]. The majority of these studies have examined the effects of adding repeated sauna therapy to conventional therapies such as physical therapy or pharmaceutical therapy in patients with CHF. ...
... Moreover, the relaxing effect of mild warming provided by repeated sauna therapy has been shown to be useful for the treatment of patients with mild depression [15]. These results are important as poor mental health is common in patients with CHF, which may negatively affect their physical exercise [22]. ...
... These results are important as poor mental health is common in patients with CHF, which may negatively affect their physical exercise [22]. Repeated sauna therapy decreases the frequency of somatic and mental complains through psychosomatic relaxation and its sedative effects [15]. In this study, we were able to perform safe and efficacious treatment combining repeated sauna therapy and subsequent exercise training, and we observed improved cardiac function and physical activity in patients with CHF. ...
We investigated the combined effects of repeated sauna therapy and exercise training on subjective symptoms, cardiac function, daily activities and ambulation capacity in patients with chronic heart failure.
Fifty four patients including 26 patients with repeated sauna therapy and exercise training (combined therapy group) and 28 patients with repeated sauna therapy (monotherapy group) participated in the study. Repeated sauna therapy and exercise training were performed once a day, 5 days a week. Clinical symptoms, brain natriuretic peptide concentration, cardiac functions evaluated by echocardiography, cardiac size on chest radiography, Barthel Index (BI) and ambulation capacity were examined and compared between the time of hospital admission and the time of discharge.
Both the groups showed significantly improved New York Heart Association functional class, cardiothoracic ratio, brain natriuretic peptide concentration, left ventricular ejection fraction, BI score and ambulation capacity grade. The changes of New York Heart Association functional class, BI score and ambulation capacity in the combined therapy group were a higher level of statistical significance than those in monotherapy group. Notably, significant between group difference was observed in the changes of BI score.
The addition of exercise training programs to repeated sauna therapy may be efficient and effective for improvement of cardiac function and daily activities for patients with chronic heart failure. Implications of Rehabilitation Repeated sauna therapy is an effective means of improving cardiac, vascular function and mental health in CHF patients. Exercise training is an effective means of improving exercise capacity, thus improving ADL. Combination of repeated sauna therapy and exercise training may be recommended as a comprehensive treatment to improve cardiac function, ambulation capacity, and ADL in CHF patients.
... We previously developed a form of thermal therapy known as "Waon therapy" (soothing warm therapy), which differs from traditional saunas (4,5), and demonstrated that Waon therapy is beneficial for addressing a wide range of disorders, including chronic heart failure (4,6), chronic pain (7), mild depression (8), peripheral artery disease (9) and fibromyalgia (10). Moreover, we previously reported two cases in which patients with CFS achieved substantial improvements in symptoms of fatigue, pain and sleep difficulties following Waon therapy (11). ...
... We believe that Waon therapy can be safely performed in CFS patients without causing acute inflammation, infection or a high fever (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Far-infrared rays are absorbed by the skin, with almost no absorption by air. ...
... Therefore, the reduction in fatigue brought about by Waon therapy in the present study may have reduced the levels of depression and anxiety. Moreover, the relaxing effect of warming the body at a rela-tively low temperature (8,12) likely also contributed to reducing negative feelings. However, the patients with CFS underwent Waon therapy in a hospital setting, which may have been a confounding factor in the treatment outcomes of depression and anxiety. ...
Objective:
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling condition of unknown etiology, and no definitive therapy has been identified to date. We developed Waon therapy, a form of thermal therapy using a far-infrared dry sauna, and in this study herein examined its feasibility and safety in patients with CFS.
Methods:
Ten consecutive inpatients with CFS stayed in a 60°C sauna for 15 minutes and then rested on a bed under a blanket for an additional 30 minutes outside the sauna room. The treatments were performed once a day, five days a week for four weeks. Perceived fatigue, the primary outcome measure, was evaluated using a numerical rating scale before, during (two weeks after the commencement of therapy) and after therapy. The pain level, evaluated using a numerical rating scale, mood, assessed using the Profile of Mood States questionnaire, and performance status, assessed using a scale developed for CFS patients were also examined before and after therapy.
Results:
Perceived fatigue significantly decreased after therapy, although no significant reductions were observed during therapy. In addition, a negative mood, including anxiety, depression and fatigue, and the performance status significantly improved after therapy. However, the levels of pain and vigor did not change significantly. No patients reported any adverse effects during the therapy.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that Waon therapy may be a useful and safe treatment for CFS.
... and general well-being [49]. It has been found to have a favourable impact on cases of mild depression with symptoms such as somatic complaints of fatigues and appetite loss [44,49] and has been advantageous in increasing a relaxation effect after 4 weeks intervention [44]. ...
... and general well-being [49]. It has been found to have a favourable impact on cases of mild depression with symptoms such as somatic complaints of fatigues and appetite loss [44,49] and has been advantageous in increasing a relaxation effect after 4 weeks intervention [44]. Implementation of Waon therapy has also been found to increase the cerebral blood flow in prefrontal, orbitofrontal, and right temporal lobe regions of the brain indicating improvement in related syndromes [50]. ...
... Additionally, a previous study concluded that repeated increase in blood flow caused by heat enhances endothelium-mediated vasodilator function among healthy subjects [8] . SB may also mitigate nonvascular conditions such as obstructive lung disease [9] , the effects of low levels of physical activity [10] , dementia [11] , headaches [12] , mild depression [13] , and adverse skin conditions [14] . Furthermore, existing studies also focused on the biochemical markers including insulin sensitivity [15] , , lower limbs (f), and buttocks (g) is supplied by the common carotid artery (CCA), subclavian artery II (SA II), intercostal arteries (IAs), superior and inferior epigastric artery (SEA and IEA), lumbar artery (LA), femoral artery (FA), and internal iliac artery II (IIA II), respectively. ...
... However, our results show that in sauna bathing conditions, cutaneous vasodilation reduces the BP in the arterial trunk while an increase in the cardiac output was observed. The reduction in SBP (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29) and DBP (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36) in this model is consistent with the previous findings [60] of the decrease in SBP (8-31 mmHg) and DBP (6-39 mmHg). Although the BP in the radial artery has been previously measured, given the relativity of BP, the pressure drop in the arterial trunk can better reflect the antihypertensive effects of heat-induced superficial vasodilation. ...
Objective
: Sauna bathing (SB) is an important strategy in cardiovascular protection, but there is no mathematical explanation for the reallocation of blood circulation during heat-induced superficial vasodilation. We sought to reveal such reallocation via a simulated hemodynamic model.
Methods
: A closed-loop cardiovascular model with a series of electrical parameters was constructed. The body surface was divided into seven blocks and each block was modeled by a lumped resistance. These resistances were adjusted to increase skin blood flow (SBF), with the aim of reflecting heat-induced vasodilation during SB. Finally, the blood pressure was compared before and after SB, and the blood flow inside the aorta and visceral arteries were also analyzed.
Results
: With increasing SBF in this model, the systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure in the arterial trunk decreased by 13–29, 18–36, and 19–37 mmHg, respectively. Despite the increase in the peak and mean blood flow in the arterial trunk, the diastolic blood flow reversal in the thoracic and abdominal aortas increased significantly. Nevertheless, the blood supply to the heart, liver, stomach, spleen, kidney, and intestine decreased by at least 25%. Moreover, the pulmonary blood flow increased significantly.
Conclusion
: Simulated heat-induced cutaneous vasodilation in this model lowers blood pressure, induces visceral ischemia, and promotes pulmonary circulation, suggesting that the present closed-loop model may be able to describe the effect of sauna bathing on blood circulation. However, the increase of retrograde flow in the aortas found in this model deserves further examination.
... p<.05, respectively) with *student two-tailed group t-test. [69] Lungs and Airways The Thai randomised controlled trial (n=26) that investigated the effects of a 6-week rehabilitation sauna program on patients diagnosed with symptomatic allergic rhinitis reported improved peak nasal inspiratory flow rates (119.2 L/s +/-46.4 to 161.9 L/s +/-46.7, ...
... Exposure to heat increases cardiac output and reduces peripheral vascular resistance and induces other physiological changes in cardiovascular parameters such as decreased systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure [35, 51, 52, 55-58, 65, 72], increased HRV (heart rate variability) [50,53,70], improved cardiac function markers [35, 48, 50-53, 55, 67] and improved flow-mediated arterio-and vaso-dilatation of small and/or large blood vessels. [48,55,57,58,62,63,67] Regarding hormonal and metabolic models, reduced levels of epinephrine and/or norepinephrine[48, 52], increased levels of nitric oxide metabolites in blood [49,62] and urine [54], decreased total and LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels [59][60][61], increased serum levels of growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol[72], decreased fasting blood glucose levels [58], increased plasma ghrelin levels [69], and reduced urinary levels of prostaglandins (8-epi-prostaglandin F2α) [56] have been detected after regular sauna sessions. Together, these findings support complex multi-pathway end-organ effects on the central and autonomic nervous system, the peripheral vascular endothelium, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, as well as on the kidneys and the liver that are continuing to be documented. ...
Abstract
Introduction
Sauna bathing has a long tradition in many cultures. Many health benefits are claimed by individuals and facilities promoting sauna bathing, however the medical evidence to support these claims is not well established. This paper aims to systematically review recent research on the effects of repeated dry sauna interventions on human health.
Methods
A systematic search was made of medical databases for studies reporting on the health effects of regular dry sauna bathing on humans from 2000 onwards. Risk of bias was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines.
Results
Forty clinical studies involving a total of 3855 participants met the inclusion criteria. Only 13 studies were randomized controlled trials and most studies were small (n<40) and investigated a wide variety of healthy and diseased populations although more than half of the studies involved populations with elevated cardiovascular risk. Reported outcome measures were heterogeneous with most studies reporting beneficial health effects. Only one small study (n=10) reported an adverse health outcome of disrupted male spermatogenesis, with all effects being reversed within 6 months of ceasing sauna activity.
Conclusions
Regular dry sauna bathing has potential health benefits and may be particularly beneficial for people with cardiovascular-related conditions. Regular sauna bathing is associated with psychological, physiological, and metabolic effects fitting a hormetic stress model similar to exercise that may be contributing to its clinical benefits. Although dry sauna bathing appears to be well tolerated in clinical settings, more data of higher quality is needed on the frequency and extent of adverse side effects. Further study is also needed to determine the optimal frequency and duration of distinct types of sauna bathing for targeted health effects and the specific clinical populations who are most likely to benefit.
... Ponadto wykazano, że korzystanie z sauny obniża stężenie epinefryny i noradrenaliny [18], zwiększa poziom metabolitów tlenku azotu we krwi [19] i w moczu [20], obniża stężenia cholesterolu całkowitego i LDL (lipoprotein o niskiej gęstości) [21], zwiększa poziomy hormonu wzrostu, hormonu adrenokortykotropowego (ACTH) i kortyzolu w surowicy [22], obniża stężenia glukozy we krwi na czczo [23], zwiększa poziomy greliny w osoczu [24] i zmniejsza stężenia prostaglandyn w moczu (8-epi-prostaglandyna F2α) [25]. Wszystkie wnioski z badań potwierdzają złożony, wielokierunkowy wpływ na narządy poprzez ośrodkowy i autonomiczny układ nerwowy, oś podwzgórze-przysadka-nadnercza, a także nerki i wątrobę [7]. ...
Introduction: Bathing at high temperatures has been a practice used for thousands of years in many cultures. High or low temperatures are considered a stress factor for the human body and are often a challenge to maintain homeostasis. Heat stress can be beneficial to human health, independent of other lifestyle factors. The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge among people about sauna bathing, the benefits of its use and diseases that are contraindications to such bathing, as well as empirical research on sauna bathing habits based on anonymous surveys. Materials and methods: The research material was collected using an anonymous survey in May 2023. The obtained results were analyzed and verified on the basis of scientific literature and statistically processed using Microsoft Office Excel. Results: 87.5% of the respondents use the sauna, the majority - several times a year, and 15% - several times a week. For 77.1% of respondents using the sauna, it is a form of entertainment, but 15.2% treat it as a form of health prevention. Many respondents wrongly indicate contraindications to bathing in the sauna, and 73.3% of people do not know any effects of the sauna. Discussion and conclusions: Many respondents use the sauna, but most of them use it as a form of entertainment. Few people know the full effect of the sauna on the body and its multidirectionality. More than half of the respondents cannot name the contraindications to bathing in the sauna. As far as possible, the doctor should indicate people with, among others, increased cardiovascular risk, this form of prophylaxis.
... In terms of pain duration, sleep deprivation and onset of depression, no significant changes were recorded and there were no statistically significant changes between the two groups [21]. At the same time, the sauna also had beneficial effects on appetite (the effects were recorded by increasing caloric intake and plasma ghrelin concentration) [22]. Five studies analyzed the impact of sauna treatment on respiratory dysfunction [23][24][25][26][27]. ...
ound: Regular sauna exposure has been shown to positively influence clinical symptoms in various pathologies. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence accumulated so far in order to evaluate the efficiency, effects, benefits and risks of sauna therapy in the field of various pathologies that require medical rehabilitation. Methods: A literature search was conducted on Publons and PubMed databases from January 2000 onwards. The studies selected for this review included research in humans undergoing repeated sauna sessions with at least one reported health outcome. Results: Constant application of sauna therapy has visible effecta on improving cardiac activity, endothelial function, myocardial perfusion, ventricular arrhythmia. Sauna treatment is a safe procedure for pa-tients with cardiovascular, respiratory, musculo-skeletal pathologies, with no notable side-effects. Conclusions: Sauna therapy has proved its effectiveness in medical rehabilitation treatment starting from the musculoskeletal system and skin to the nervous system. In addition, it brings a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients.
... In terms of pain duration, sleep deprivation and onset of depression, no significant changes were recorded and there were no statistically significant changes between the two groups [21]. At the same time, the sauna also had beneficial effects on appetite (the effects were recorded by increasing caloric intake and plasma ghrelin concentration) [22]. ...
Background: Regular sauna exposure has been shown to positively influence clinical symptoms in various pathologies. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence accumulated so far in order to evaluate the efficiency, effects, benefits and risks of sauna therapy in the field of various pathologies that require medical rehabilitation. Methods: A literature search was conducted on Publons and PubMed databases from January 2000 onwards. The studies selected for this review included research in humans undergoing repeated sauna sessions with at least one reported health outcome. Results: Constant application of sauna therapy has visible effecta on improving cardiac activity, endothelial function, myocardial perfusion, ventricular arrhythmia. Sauna treatment is a safe proce-dure for patients with cardiovascular, respiratory, musculo-skeletal pathologies, with no notable side-effects. Conclusions: Sauna therapy has proved its effectiveness in medical rehabilitation treatment starting from the musculoskeletal system and skin to the nervous system. In addition, it brings a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients. Keywords: sauna bathing; dry sauna; regular sauna exposure; clinical applications sauna; bio-logical effects sauna; quality of life
... The study hypothesized that increased plasma ghrelin concentrations secondary to heat exposure may account for the stimulation of appetite. 50 This is pertinent because it may aid individuals with appetite dysregulation secondary to the physical symptoms of anhedonia. Additionally, it may suggest utility in patients with comorbid eating disorders. ...
Sauna bathing is a time-efficient, cost-effective health modality that has the potential to mimic the heat thermogenesis and cardiovascular effects of exercise. In recent years, researchers have been able to measure the benefits of sauna on human performance, endurance, and cardiovascular health. While many studies have investigated sauna use and its effect on athletic performance, fewer studies have investigated the use of sauna as a medical treatment for chronic health conditions. This review compiles the proven effects of sauna on human physiology and investigates its applications in the treatment of patients with chronic disease. Sauna use appears to be safe in most patient populations and is shown to be both tolerable and effective in patient populations with cardiovascular disease and late stages of congestive heart failure. Multiple cardiovascular benefits were demonstrated in the review including improved perfusion in peripheral arterial disease, decreased ventricular arrhythmias, 51% reduced annual cardiovascular mortality and 47% reduced annual risk of developing hypertension in men using the sauna 4-7 times per week. Finnish cohort studies have additionally exhibited reductions in lifetime annual risk of dementia by 66% in men using the sauna 4-7 times per week. It is suggested that increased heat shock protein expression through heat exposure may be responsible for the neuroprotective benefits of lifetime sauna use. Sauna has also displayed benefits in metabolic disease by reducing hemoglobin A1C and aiding heat acclimation in diabetics through improved thermoregulation. In mental health research, sauna use has shown potential in the treatment of depression by improving objective depression scores. Another study exhibited that sauna use was able to increase appetite in patients with severe depression and coexisting appetite suppression. Additionally, in cohort studies sauna is shown to be correlated to reduced annual risk of developing psychosis across the lifespan. By compiling and reviewing the current research on sauna bathing, education and guidance are provided to medical providers regarding the potential use of sauna as a treatment adjunct for patients with various conditions including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, metabolic disease, and mental health disorders.
... The study also demonstrated that men who used the sauna 4-7 times per week had a 65% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than those who used the sauna only once per week. Sauna use has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression [4] and promote transient growth hormone release, an effect which varies with time, temperature, and frequency of exposure [5]. ...
Saunas are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, being an activity that promotes relaxation and health. Intense feelings of happiness have been reported shortly after enjoying a hot sauna and cold water, what is known in Japan as the "totonou" state. However, no research has investigated what occurs in the brain during the "totonou" state. In the present study, participants underwent a sauna phase, consisting of three sets of alternating hot sauna, cold water, and rest. We elucidated changes in brain activity and mood in the "totonou" state by measuring and comparing brain activity and emotional scales before and after the sauna phase and during the rest phase in each set. We found significant increases in theta and alpha power during rest and after the sauna phase compared to before the sauna phase. Moreover, in an auditory oddball task, the p300 amplitude decreased significantly and MMN amplitude increased significantly after the sauna phase. The increase in MMN indicates higher activation of the pre-attentional auditory process, leading to a decrease in attention-related brain activity P300. Hence, the brain reaches in a more efficient state. Further, the response time in behavioral tasks decreased significantly. In addition, the participants' subjective responses to the questionnaire showed significant changes in physical relaxation and other indicators after being in the sauna. Finally, we developed an artificial intelligence classifier, obtaining an average accuracy of brain state classification of 88.34%. The results have potential for future application.
... chronic respiratory conditions [22], and psychotic disorders [23]. Interventional studies include findings that dry infrared heat WBH interventions [1,2] and hyperthermic bath interventions [24] can reduce depression symptoms among individuals with major depressive disorder; reduce somatic complaints in mild depression [25]; reduce pain in fibromyalgia [26]; improve myocardial perfusion abnormalities in patients with chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries [27]; decrease ventricular arrhythmias in individuals with chronic heart failure [28]; and produce transient improvements in lung function in individuals with obstructive pulmonary disease [29]. Taken together, these data suggest that WBH practices may hold promise as non-pharmacologic approaches to maintaining and/or improving both physical and mental health. ...
Background:
Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) has shown promise as a non-pharmacologic treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) in prior trials that used a medical (infrared) hyperthermia device. Further evaluation of WBH as a treatment for MDD has, however, been stymied by regulatory challenges.
Objective:
We examined whether a commercially available infrared sauna device without FDA-imposed limitations could produce the degree of core body temperature (101.3 °F) associated with reduced depressive symptoms in prior WBH studies. We also assessed the frequency of adverse events and the amount of time needed to achieve this core body temperature. We explored changes (pre-post WBH) in self-reported mood and affect.
Methods:
Twenty-five healthy adults completed a single WBH session lasting up to 110 min in a commercially available sauna dome (Curve Sauna Dome). We assessed core body temperature rectally during WBH, and mood and affect at timepoints before and after WBH.
Results:
All participants achieved the target core body temperature (101.3 °F). On average, it took participants 82.12 min (SD = 11.3) to achieve this temperature (range: 61-110 min), and WBH ended after a participant maintained 101.3 °F for two consecutive minutes. In exploratory analyses of changes in mood and affect, we found that participants evidenced reductions (t[24] = 2.03, M diff = 1.00, p=.054, 95% CI [-2.02,0.02]) in self-reported depression symptoms from 1 week pre- to 1 week post-WBH, and reductions (t[24]= -2.93, M diff= -1.72, p=.007, 95% CI [-2.93, -0.51]) in self-reported negative affect pre-post-WBH session.
Conclusion:
This novel WBH protocol holds promise in further assessing the utility of WBH in MDD treatment.
Trial registration:
This trial was registered at clinicaltrivals.gov (NCT04249700).
... Finally, due to the high consumption of alcohol often reported for individuals with HSO [96][97][98], which is usually associated with post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, and the increased risk of heart disease, it is reasonable to speculate that a high percentage of these individuals are currently taking some form of medication. Although regular sauna use is known to improve the markers of heart disease as well as reduce symptoms of depression [99,100], both medication use and alcohol consumption can have severe detrimental and potentially fatal effects if combined concurrently with sauna use. Therefore, alcohol consumption should always be avoided when using a sauna, and any individual taking medication should consult with their primary physician before incorporating sauna bathing into their daily routine. ...
Components of the metabolic syndrome (i.e., hypertension, insulin resistance, obesity, atherosclerosis) are a leading cause of death in the United States and result in low-grade chronic inflammation, excessive oxidative stress, and the eventual development of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD). High-stress occupations (HSO: firefighters, police, military personnel, first responders, etc.) increase the risk of developing CMD because they expose individuals to chronic and multiple stressors (i.e., sleep deprivation, poor nutrition habits, lack of physical activity, psychological stress). Interestingly, heat exposure and, more specifically, sauna bathing have been shown to improve multiple markers of CMD, potentially acting as hormetic stressors, at the cellular level and in the whole organism. Therefore, sauna bathing might be a practical and alternative intervention for disease prevention for individuals with HSO. The purpose of this review is to detail the mechanisms and pathways involved in the response to both acute and chronic sauna bathing and collectively present sauna bathing as a potential treatment, in addition to current standard of care, for mitigating CMD to both clinicians and individuals serving in HSO.
... Moreover, far infrared ray therapy was reported to be useful for mildly depressed patients with appetite loss and subjective complaints. The plasma ghrelin and caloric intake was also significantly improved (Masuda et al. 2005). Another study concluded that near-Infrared photo-biomodulation therapy can be useful for the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders (Schiffer et al. 2009). ...
Local anesthetic agents reduce the rate of depolarization by decreasing the permeability of the ion channels to sodium. These compounds (-caines) are also utilized as topical anesthetics which may cause decreased gag reflex, central nervous system depression or excitation, or cardiovascular effects, depending upon its application site. Local anesthetic overdose leads to local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) and manifestations which can turn into a lethal complication of regional or local anesthesia.
Besides mild side effects such as isolated systolic hypertension, LAST can cause refractory cardiac dysfunction and collapse.
A major strategy to beware of LAST is to use these agents combined
with vasopressor agents, although this approach can trigger
tachyarrhythmias in selected patients. The maximum calculated drug dose is to be decreased in the elderly, compromised, debilitated patients. Total blood volume and liver and kidney functions can affect metabolism, halflives and toxicity potential of local anesthetics.
One can easily find convincing data on the use of intravenous lipid
emulsion (ILE) to cure LAST and relevant systemic toxicity, and/or serious cardiotoxicity. ILE is useful against toxicity inflicted by almost all local anesthetics including bupivacaine, mepivacaine, ropivacaine, levobupivacaine, prilocaine, and lidocaine.
Despite significant impediments, refinement to recommendations for lipid emulsion will be best driven by structured analysis of quality registry data or controlled human evaluation.
This review is intended to address a common and updated understanding of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of LAST for healthcare workers, especially those in emergency care who perform local anesthesia in their routine practice.
... Over 90% of the sauna bathers reported good, very good, or excellent state of health and this is supported by the 'SF-12' physical and mental quality of life summary scores calculated to have medians above average (> 50.00) in all groups of sauna bathers, regardless of frequency, as outlined in Table 10. The increase in mental health well- 17,23,[39][40][41][42][43][44] However, there was a notable absence of improvement in mental health scoring among respondents sauna bathing > 15 times per month (group III) as compared to both of the other groups sauna bathing less frequently (groups I and II). As sauna bathing is suggested to have physiological effects similar to moderate-intensity exercise, 45,46 it is possible this result may be due to effects similar to over-training in athletes 47,48 or perhaps due to people with ongoing mental health issues choosing to sauna bathe more frequently for therapeutic purposes. ...
Advances in Integrative Medicine
Volume 6, Supplement 1, May 2019, Page S135
Abstract for Poster Presentation at the 14th International Congress on Complementary Medicine Research in Brisbane, Australia –
“Heating Up for Health -Exploring the Results of a Global Sauna Survey”
Background
Many people worldwide sauna-bathe regularly. This study reports findings from the first ever online global sauna survey polling men and women on their demographics, motivations and health-related experiences.
Methods
A 71-item purposed questionnaire was designed and posted on a dedicated website. A link to the e-survey was then distributed via sauna-related social media from October 2016 to October 2017.
Results
There were 482 valid responses with 78.4% (378 of 482) fully completing the questionnaire. Participants sauna-bathed an average of 8 – 9 times per month. Almost a third of respondents had medical conditions. The top reasons motivating participants to sauna-bathe were rest and relaxation, pain relief and socializing. Sleep benefits after sauna use were indicated by 83.5% (353 of 423) of respondents. After stratifying sauna bather’s frequency into three groups and using the validated ‘SF-12 quality of life scoring tool’, those who reported sauna-bathing 5 -15 times per month had summated mental health well-being scores that were significantly higher (Chi square 6.603 > ꭔ2 of 5.991, p = 0.0368, df = 2) compared to the other two groups who sauna-bathed either more or less frequently. The most commonly reported adverse reactions to sauna bathing were mild symptoms of dizziness, dehydration and headache.
Conclusion
Sauna-bathing is used by populations worldwide as a lifestyle tool for rest and relaxation. The results of this cross-sectional study suggest frequent sauna-bathing has expanded health benefits that deserve further consideration from health practitioners and researchers as a complementary therapy, especially for mental wellness.
... Over 90% of the sauna bathers reported good, very good, or excellent state of health and this is supported by the 'SF-12' physical and mental quality of life summary scores calculated to have medians above average (> 50.00) in all groups of sauna bathers, regardless of frequency, as outlined in Table 10. The increase in mental health well- 17,23,[39][40][41][42][43][44] However, there was a notable absence of improvement in mental health scoring among respondents sauna bathing > 15 times per month (group III) as compared to both of the other groups sauna bathing less frequently (groups I and II). As sauna bathing is suggested to have physiological effects similar to moderate-intensity exercise, 45,46 it is possible this result may be due to effects similar to over-training in athletes 47,48 or perhaps due to people with ongoing mental health issues choosing to sauna bathe more frequently for therapeutic purposes. ...
... Elevating body temperature activates the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal hormonal axis, and the associated hormonal changes result in reduced pain perception and improved mood (Kukkonen-Harjula & Kauppinen, 2006). In line with this theory, empirical evidence suggests that whole-body hyperthermia reduces depression (Hanusch et al., 2013), and thermal therapy increases relaxation and alleviates somatic and mental complaints (Masuda, Nakazato, Kihara, Minagoe, & Tei, 2005). ...
In contemporary society, people experience considerable stress in their daily lives. Therefore, developing effective approaches and convenient means to cope with their mood problems is important nowadays. Physical activity has been consistently reported as a cost-effective way to improve physical fitness, prevent mental illnesses, and alleviate mood problems. In this systematic review, the effects of exercise intensity, duration, and modality on mood change are discussed. Results show that moderate-intensity anaerobic exercise is associated with greater mood improvements. The relationship between exercise duration and mood change is non-linear; A regime of 10- to 30-minute exercise is sufficient for mood improvements. For exercise modality, anaerobic exercise improves mood, but the efficacy of aerobic and mindfulness-related exercises remains to be further examined. In addition to the systematic review of potential moderators, a narrative review of psychological and neurophysiological theories of exercise effects on mood is provided; we have highlighted the central role of neuroplasticity in integrating the two classes of theories. An adoption of neuroimaging techniques in future research is critical to reveal the mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic influence of physical activity on affective responses. Some future research directions are also raised.
... In an RCT by Kanji et al, 27 37 people with chronic tension-type headache were randomized to regular sauna bathing or advice and education for a period of 8 weeks, and sauna therapy was found to substantially improve headache intensity. Although there is some evidence from a Japanese study that thermal therapy improved the symptoms of patients with mild depression, 28 to our knowledge, no study has as yet reported the effects of Finnish sauna bathing on depression. However, we have recently shown that men who had 4 to 7 sauna sessions/wk had a 78% reduced risk of developing psychosis in the future as compared with men who had only 1 sauna session/wk (J.A. Laukkanen, PhD, unpublished data, February 7, 2018). ...
Sauna bathing, an activity that has been a tradition in Finland for thousands of years and mainly used for the purposes of pleasure and relaxation, is becoming increasingly popular in many other populations. Emerging evidence suggests that beyond its use for pleasure, sauna bathing may be linked to several health benefits, which include reduction in the risk of vascular diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and neurocognitive diseases; nonvascular conditions such as pulmonary diseases; mortality; as well as amelioration of conditions such as arthritis, headache, and flu. The beneficial effects of sauna bathing on these outcomes have been linked to its effect on circulatory, cardiovascular, and immune functions. It has been postulated that regular sauna bathing may improve cardiovascular function via improved endothelium-dependent dilatation, reduced arterial stiffness, modulation of the autonomic nervous system, beneficial changes in circulating lipid profiles, and lowering of systemic blood pressure. This review summarizes the available epidemiological, experimental, and interventional evidence linking Finnish sauna bathing and its effects on cardiovascular outcomes and other disease conditions on the basis of a comprehensive search for observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and non–randomized controlled trials from MEDLINE and EMBASE from their inception until February 24, 2018. An overview of the postulated biological mechanisms underlying the associations between sauna bathing and its health benefits, areas of outstanding uncertainty, and implications for clinical practice is also provided.
... Therefore, improvement of chronic fatigue may require the improvement of brain function or CBF recovery, primarily in the frontal lobe; this suggests a basis for the effectiveness of Waon therapy in CBF recovery. A relaxation effect may be one mechanism for the therapeutic effect (35), but Waon therapy induces an increase in the cardiac output through systemic arterial and venous vasodilation (36), enhancement of blood flow to all organs, and improvement in brain functional abnormalities through an increase in the CBF. Waon therapy provides gentle and warmly enveloping treatment and can be performed safely in all CFS patients. ...
Objective Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex disorder, with no consensus on therapeutic options. However, Waon therapy has been reported to be an effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the cerebral blood flow (CBF) before and after Waon therapy in CFS patients and to investigate the correlation between such changes and the therapeutic efficacy of Waon therapy.
Methods Eleven patients (2 men and 9 women, mean age 27 years old) diagnosed with CFS participated in the study. The disease duration was 8-129 months, and the performance status was 5-8 (on a scale of 0-9). All patients underwent CBF scintigraphy using brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (99mTc-ECD) before and after Waon therapy. CBF changes after Waon therapy were evaluated using a statistical analysis of imaging data, which was performed with a statistical parametric mapping software program (SPM5).
Results Waon therapy reduced symptoms in all 11 patients. We also observed an increase in the CBF within the prefrontal region, orbitofrontal region, and right temporal lobe. These results indicated that an improvement in clinical symptoms was linked to an increase in the CBF.
Conclusion The results indicated abnormalities of the cerebral function in the prefrontal region, orbitofrontal region, and right temporal lobe in CFS patients and that Waon therapy improved the cerebral function and symptoms in CFS patients by increasing the regional CBF. To our knowledge, this is the first report to clarify the CBF changes in CFS patients before and after Waon therapy.
... Activated macrophages may hydrolyze excessive proteins, reduce colloid osmotic pressure, and promote interstitial liquid backflow to the circulation system in lymphedema tissue [11,[20][21][22]. Hu et al. also demonstrated that local hyperthermia improves microcirculation, reduces chronic inflammation, and promotes tissue repair [23][24][25]. ...
Background:
The incidence of breast cancer related lymphedema is approximately 5%. Far infrared ray (FIR) treatment can potentially reduce fluid volume and extremity circumference as well as the frequency of dermato-lymphangitis (DLA). However, there is no published data on the oncological safety of FIR and the potential for activation of any residual breast cancer cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of far infrared ray (FIR) treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema, clinically and in vitro.
Methods:
Patients who underwent mastectomy more than 5years ago complicated by upper extremity lymphedema for more than 1year were included. The enrolled patients were divided into an FIR treatment group and a control group (conservative treatment using bandage compression). Outcome measures included tumor markers (CA153, CA125), ultrasonography of relevant structures and monitoring for adverse reactions 1year after treatment. For the in vitro part of the study, the effects of FIR on human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MCF7, MDA-MB231) compared to the effects of FIR on human dermal fibroblasts as a control were considered. The viability, proliferation, cell cycle and apoptotic statistics of the adenocarcinoma and human dermal fibroblast cell lines were analyzed and compared.
Results:
Results demonstrated that after treatment with FIR, tumor marker (CA153, CA125) concentrations in both the FIR and control groups were not elevated. There was no statistically significant difference between FIR and control group marker expression (p>0.05). Furthermore, no patients were diagnosed with lymphadenectasis or newly enlarged lymph nodes in these two groups. Importantly, there were no adverse events in either group. The in vitro experiment indicated that FIR radiation does not affect viability, proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of fibroblasts, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells.
Conclusions:
FIR should be considered as feasible and safe for the treatment of breast cancer related lymphedema patients 5years after mastectomy. FIR does not promote recurrence or metastasis of breast cancer and is a well-tolerated therapy with no adverse reactions.
... Consequent to hydrolysis and clearing of excess proteins by activated macrophages within lymphedema tissues, decreased colloid osmotic pressure allows for increased rates of interstitial fluid absorption back into systemic circulation. Hu et al. demonstrate the beneficial effects of FIR exposure within soft tissues and describe the use of local hyperthermia to increase the microcirculatory blood flow, eliminate chronic inflammation and promote tissue recovery [38][39][40]. ...
Purpose:
Lower extremity lymphedema is regarded as a relatively common postoperative complication and is often accompanied with dermatolymphangioadenitis (DLA). This study combines clinical assessment and laboratory investigation to explore therapeutic effects of far-infrared radiation (FIR) therapy for chronic lower extremity lymphedema accompanied with DLA, occurring after gynecological tumor resection.
Methods:
Patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria would be enrolled. They received regular sessions using the FIR therapy machine over the 4-week treatment course. Clinical and laboratory outcome measures were carried out before and after treatment. Clinical outcome measures included DLA seizure frequency (episodes/year), patients' subjective feedback for lymphedema-related symptoms and quality of life (QOL). Laboratory outcome measures included bacterial cultures and concentrations of inflammatory cytokines: IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, TNF-α, TNF-β, caspase-1 and INF-γ, detected in serum and local lymphedema tissue fluid samples using protein microarray and ELISA.
Results:
Between 2012 and 2016, a total of 120 female patients were screened for study enrollment. Sixty-four recruited patients underwent clinical evaluation both before FIR radiation therapy and 1 year after a single course of FIR radiation therapy. Eleven patients (17.2%), randomly chosen from the study group, underwent additional laboratory analysis of blood and local lymphedema tissue fluid samples. The frequency of DLA decreased following treatment (p < 0.001). Fifty patients (78%) did not experience a single episode of DLA recurrence in the year subsequent to treatment. The efficiency rate calculated using DLA frequencies was greater than 50% for 63 (98%) patients following treatment. Patients reported a subjective decrease in lymphedema-related symptoms (p < 0.05). Patients' QOL scores were higher after treatment (p < 0.001). Laboratory analysis showed an elevation in serum concentration of IL-1β after FIR therapy (p < 0.05) and reduced local tissue fluid concentrations of inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-10 and IL-18 (p < 0.05). Bacterial culture results before and after treatment were both negative.
Conclusion:
FIR radiation therapy provides an effective treatment modality for patients with chronic lymphedema accompanied with DLA that develops secondarily to treatment of gynecological malignancies, whose therapeutic effects may be due to reduced immune dysfunction within local lymphedema tissues.
... Considering the relevant concentration of water in lymphedema patients, FIR effect creates a serial of biological activities such as the association of water molecules with ions (caused by solvation or confinement effect). In addition, the heat can penetrate, as a gentle radiant energy, up to 4 cm beneath the skin producing several biological effects as local hyperthermia can help to increase the microcirculatory blood flow removing chronic inflammation and promoting tissue recovery [36][37][38]. For more than 80 years from the first research on extremities lymphedema, the typical clinical manifestations include the increasing of circumference, local fluid deposition, hyperblastosis, and decreasing quality of life [39,40]. ...
Swelling is the most common symptom of extremities lymphedema. Clinical evaluation and laboratory analysis were conducted after far infrared radiation (FIR) treatment on the main four components of lymphedema: fluid, fat, protein, and hyaluronan. Far infrared radiation is a kind of hyperthermia therapy with several and additional benefits as well as promoting microcirculation flow and improving collateral lymph circumfluence. Although FIR therapy has been applied for several years on thousands of lymphedema patients, there are still few studies that have reported the biological effects of FIR on lymphatic tissue. In this research, we investigate the effects of far infrared rays on the major components of lymphatic tissue. Then, we explore the effectiveness and safety of FIR as a promising treatment modality of lymphedema. A total of 32 patients affected by lymphedema in stage II and III were treated between January 2015 and January 2016 at our department. After therapy, a significant decrease of limb circumference measurements was noted and improving of quality of life was registered. Laboratory examination showed the treatment can also decrease the deposition of fluid, fat, hyaluronan, and protein, improving the swelling condition. We believe FIR treatment could be considered as both an alternative monotherapy and a useful adjunctive to the conservative or surgical lymphedema procedures. Furthermore, the real and significant biological effects of FIR represent possible future applications in wide range of the medical field.
... There is some recent Japanese evidence that sauna bathing might be beneficial in depressed, or fatigued persons. In a randomized controlled study, non-obese patients with mild depression underwent sauna-like exposure on five days weekly for two weeks (35). Compared with the control group, somatic complaints, hunger and relaxation scores improved, while concentrations of plasma ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone, and daily energy intake, increased. ...
Objectives. To study physiological, therapeutic and adverse effects of sauna bathing with special reference to chronic diseases, medication and special situations (pregnancy, children). Study design. A literature review. Methods. Experiments of sauna bathing were accepted if they were conducted in a heated room with sufficient heat (80 to 90 degrees C), comfortable air humidity and adequate ventilation. The sauna exposure for five to 20 minutes was usually repeated one to three times. The experiments were either acute (one day), or conducted over a longer period (several months). Results. The research data retrieved were most often based on uncontrolled research designs with subjects accustomed to bathing since childhood. Sauna was well tolerated and posed no health risks to healthy people from childhood to old age. Baths did not appear to be particularly risky to patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure, when they were medicated and in a stable condition. Excepting toxemia cases, no adverse effects of bathing during pregnancy were found, and baths were not teratogenic. In musculoskeletal disorders, baths may relieve pain. Medication in general was of no concern during a bath, apart from antihypertensive medication, which may predispose to orthostatic hypotension after bathing. Conclusions. Further research is needed with sound experimental design, and with subjects not accustomed to sauna, before sauna bathing can routinely be used as a non-pharmacological treatment regimen in certain medical disorders to relieve symptoms and improve wellness.
... There is some recent Japanese evidence that sauna bathing might be beneficial in depressed, or fatigued persons. In a randomized controlled study, non-obese patients with mild depression underwent sauna-like exposure on five days weekly for two weeks (35). Compared with the control group, somatic complaints, hunger and relaxation scores improved, while concentrations of plasma ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone, and daily energy intake, increased. ...
... The mechanism of WT-induced improvement of mental QOL in patients with CHF remains unclear, but a previous study reported that 4-week WT diminished appetite loss and subjective complaints in mildly depressed patients. 31) Mild warming of the whole body exhibits sedative effects through sensory nerve endings, 19) and increased plasma levels of β-endorphin. 20,21) There was a negative correlation between the changes in MC and systolic blood pressure before starting WT (Table III), ie, patients with lower systolic blood pressure at baseline received greater improvement of MC by WT. ...
Waon therapy (WT), which in Japanese means soothing warmth, is a repeated sauna therapy that improves cardiac and vascular endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We investigated whether WT could improve the quality of life (QOL) of CHF patients in addition to improving cardiac function and exercise capacity.
A total of 49 CHF patients (69 ± 14 years old) were treated with a 60°C far infrared-ray dry sauna bath for 15 minutes and then kept in a bed covered with blankets for 30 minutes once a day for 3 weeks. At baseline and 3 weeks after starting WT, cardiac function, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and SF36-QOL scores were determined.
WT significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), 6MWD, and FMD (3.6 ± 2.3 to 5.1 ± 2.8%, P < 0.01). Moreover, WT significantly improved not only the physical (PC) but also mental component (MC) of the QOL scores. WT-induced improvement of PC was negatively correlated with changes in BNP (r = -0.327, P < 0.05), but MC improvement was not related directly to changes in BNP, LVEF, or 6MWD. WT-induced changes in MC were not parallel to PC improvement.
WT improved QOL as well as cardiac function and exercise capacity in patients with CHF. Mental QOL improved independently of WT-induced improvement of cardiac function and exercise capacity.
Background: Depression, a multifaceted mental health condition, necessitates a multidimensional approach to treatment. This study aimed to elucidate the potential efficacy of various mitochondrial interventions, ranging from pharmacological treatments to lifestyle modifications, in alleviating depressive symptoms and enhancing overall mental well-being and assess the diverse range of mitochondrial assessments for managing depression by synthesizing findings from selected studies. Methods: A systematic compilation of studies, employing observational, interventional, and animal-based designs, was undertaken to elucidate the intricate relationship between mitochondrial function and depression as well as depressive signs and symptoms. The PRISMA guidelines were employed for conducting this review and a specific set of selection criterion were formulated by a team of reviewers for selection of relevant papers. Results: The synthesized results from the 21 selected papers highlighted the potential of these interventions to target diverse aspects of depression. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and psychotherapy demonstrated significant reductions in depression and anxiety scores, with hyperbaric oxygen therapy particularly effective in improving nerve function and daily living activities. Whole-body cryotherapy displayed substantial improvements in depressive symptoms and quality of life. Frequent sauna bathing exhibited a lower risk of depressive symptoms in males. Dietary patterns, including Paleolithic and Mediterranean diets, showcased potential protective effects against depression, anxiety, and stress. The ketogenic diet revealed promise in ameliorating depression and psychosis symptoms alongside positive metabolic changes. Fasting interventions, though challenging, were associated with lower anxiety and depression levels without increased fatigue. Bright white light therapy enhanced remission rates and reduced depression scores in bipolar depression. Probiotic supplementation exhibited potential in reducing depression scores and improving metabolic markers, although further investigation is warranted. Conclusion: The diverse array of interventions explored in this study underlines the multifaceted nature of depression treatment. While these findings offer hope for more personalized and effective approaches, it is imperative to consider the variability in study designs, sample sizes, and methodologies among the selected papers. The mechanisms underlying the observed effects remain partially understood, emphasizing the need for continued mechanistic research. This study sets the stage for future investigations and clinical practices, showcasing the potential of various interventions in mitigating the challenges posed by depression and paving the way for more effective treatment strategies.
The word “Waon” means “soothing and warmth”. Waon therapy is an innovative treatment developed in Japan that meets the desired requirements such as safe, effective, low cost and non-invasive. It brings comfortable sweating and improve mood and complexion. It has demonstrated significant expression of nitric oxide from the vascular endothelium, resulting in an improvement of cardiovascular endothelial function and promotion of blood flow to organ of the whole body. Moreover, it has clarified various effects such as capillary angiogenesis, antioxidant effect, increased parasympathetic nerve activity, decreased sympathetic nerve activity, mental/physical relaxation and immunity enhancement. Waon therapy is effective for various intractable diseases such as severe heart failure and severe lower limb ischemia etc. In 2020, it approved for a new national insurance listing in the treatment of severe heart failure. In near future, insurance coverage hope to be realized to lower limb ischemia, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. As the next deployment, Waon therapy is highly expected to use in super-aging society in various ways. For example, comprehensive rehabilitation, elderly care, frailty prevention, improvement of QOL, healthy longevity and palliative care etc. Waon therapy brings long life happiness.
Sauna use, sometimes referred to as “sauna bathing,” is characterized by short-term passive exposure to high temperatures, typically ranging from 45 °C to 100 °C (113 °F to 212 °F), depending on modality. This exposure elicits mild hyperthermia, inducing a thermoregulatory response involving neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and cytoprotective mechanisms that work in a synergistic fashion in an attempt to maintain homeostasis. Repeated sauna use acclimates the body to heat and optimizes the body's response to future exposures, likely due to the biological phenomenon known as hormesis. In recent decades, sauna bathing has emerged as a probable means to extend healthspan, based on compelling data from observational, interventional, and mechanistic studies. Of particular interest are the findings from large, prospective, population-based cohort studies of health outcomes among sauna users that identified strong dose-dependent links between sauna use and reduced morbidity and mortality. This review presents an overview of sauna practices; elucidates the body's physiological response to heat stress and the molecular mechanisms that drive the response; enumerates the myriad health benefits associated with sauna use; and describes sauna use concerns.
An evidence-based guide for laypeople on psychological, medical, complementary and lifestyle interventions for depression.
In the fields of psychosomatic medicine, we often encounter depressed patients who are resistant to treatment with conventional antidepressants. In modern western medicine, these cases are usually recognized as “treatment resistant depression” but in Kampo medicine, by using thermal therapy, we can approach some of these cases effectively.
In this paper, we will present three cases who are successfully treated with thermal therapy using Kampo medicine. Case 1 was a 66 year-old female who experienced a stoma surgery as a result of rectal cancer resection. She was suffering from depressive state, nausea and appetite loss since she had to experience the stoma management. We first administered antidepressants without any amelioration of the symptoms. Because she complained about the coldness throughout the body, we administered the combination of Shimbuto extract and Ninjinto extract. After two weeks, her appetite and depression were improved dramatically, with the sense of the whole body warmed up.
Case 2 was a 33-year-old female. Her complaints were low grade fever, diarrhea, and depressive mood. The combination of Simbuto extract and Ninjinto extract improved her fever and abdominal pain. Thereafter, we administered Tsumyakushigyakuto (decoction) in reference to the results of electrothermo-acupuncture instrument. After that, her coldness of extremities and scores of psychological tests improved markedly.
Case 3 was a 35-year-old female. She was diagnosed depression four years ago, and had administered various types of antidepressants and Kampo formula without any improvement. When she visited our outpatient department, she complained about her coldness urgently. Focusing on her subjective coldness, we changed the drug regimen to Tsumyakushigyakuto. As a result, she could go out in just two days after administration, and two weeks later, her appetite and coldness were dramatically improved. Six weeks later, she could comfortably sleep without the use of a sleep medication.
Based on our cases, it is possible that internal cold modulates not only physical symptoms but also psychological symptoms, such as depression those are treatment resistant in modern western medicine. In such cases, thermal therapy with Kampo medicine, would be an effective approach in the fields of psychosomatic medicine.
Hintergrund: Depressionen stellen in Deutschland die häufigste psychische Erkrankung dar, für die nach wie vor noch unzureichende Behandlungsmöglichkeiten bestehen. Ziel dieser Studie war es, Überwärmungsbäder und ein Bewegungsprogramm in ihrer Wirksamkeit auf Depressionen zu vergleichen.
Methodik: Es wurde eine randomisierte, kontrollierte, monozentrische Studie imParallelgruppendesign durchgeführt. Die Überwärmungsbäder fanden im 40°C heißen Quellbecken des Eugen-Keidel-Bades in Freiburg statt. Die Vergleichsgruppe absolvierte ein moderates Bewegungsprogramm im Freien. Die Studie bestand aus zwei Phasen: In den ersten 2 Wochen erfolgten 4 Interventionen unter Anleitung, gefolgt von 14 Wochen mit je 2 Anwendungen pro Woche, die die Probanden selbstständig durchführten. Die Schwere der depressiven Symptomatik wurde mittels der Hamilton Depression Rating Scale zu folgenden Zeitpunkten erfasst: vor Beginn der Anwendungen (T0), nach 2 Wochen (T1) und nach den Anwendungen nach 8 Wochen (T2).
Ergebnisse: Die Körpertemperatur stieg während der ÜWB im Mittel um 1,96°C. Im HAMD-Gesamtscore zeigte sich zu T1 ein signifikanter Gruppenunterschied zugunsten der ÜWB-Gruppe (p < 0,001), der HAMD-Wert war um 4,3 Punkte reduziert. Auch in der Item-Gruppe “Stimmung” ergab sich zu T1 eine signifikante Reduktion um 3,3 Punkte (p < 0,001), die bis zu T2 signifikant blieb. Bei den körperlichen Symptomen kam es zu einer signifikanten Reduktion um 0,95 Punkte in der ÜWB-Gruppe zu T1 (p = 0,045). Sowohl die Überwärmungsbäder als auch das Bewegungsprogramm konnten von den Probanden selbstständig und sicher durchgeführt werden, es sind keine schweren Nebenwirkungen aufgetreten.
Schlussfolgerungen: Überwärmungsbäder haben spezifische Effekte auf depressiveSymptome. Sie stellen eine geeignete Behandlungsmethode insbesondere für Patienten dar, die ein körperliches Training nicht absolvieren können.
Die Volkskrankheit Depression nimmt in Deutschland an Häufigkeit zu und führt nicht nur zu enormen Kosten im Gesundheitssystem, sondern bedeutet vor allem für jeden einzelnen Patienten eine Bürde im alltäglichen Leben. Trotz verschiedener evidenzbasierter Therapieoptionen bleibt die Depression oft schwer behandelbar und häufig setzt die Wirkung erst verzögert nach einigen Wochen ein. Deswegen werden neue Therapien gebraucht, die eine kurzfristige bzw. ergänzende Wirkung haben und einfach selbstständig durchzuführen sind. Überwärmungsbäder (ÜWB) werden schon seit langer Zeit bei der Therapie der Depression in der Naturheilkunde angewandt - es fehlen jedoch Studien, die ihre Wirkung beweisen.
Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Wirksamkeit von ÜWB, mit der von Bewegungstherapie (BT), einer komplementären Standardtherapie, bei Patienten mit Depressionen zu vergleichen.
Es handelte sich um eine randomisierte, kontrollierte, monozentrische, achtwöchige Pilotstudie im Parallelgruppendesign. Beide Gruppen durchliefen 16 Anwendungen (zweimal/Woche), die je ca. 50min dauerten und aus einem 40°C heißen Bad und einer Nachruhezeit bzw. einem Training mit Lauf- und Krafteinheit bestanden. Der Becks Depressions Inventar (BDI II) und der Pittsburgh Schlaf Qualitäts Index (PSQI) wurden zu Beginn, nach zwei Wochen (T1) und nach acht Wochen (T2) gemessen. Außerdem wurden die subjektive Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit, sowie die Nebenwirkungen erfragt und die Körpertemperaturen gemessen.
Es wurden 45 Probanden (ÜWB=22, BT=23) eingeschlossen. In der ÜWB-Gruppe stieg die Körperkerntemperatur im Mittel um 1,9°C an, in der BT Gruppe kam es zu keinem Anstieg. In der ÜWB-Gruppe besserten sich BDI und PSQI zu T1 signifikant gegenüber Baseline und der BT Gruppe (BDI: p=0,002, PSQI: p=0,036, ITT-Analyse). An T2 fand sich kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den Gruppen. Die Verträglichkeit und Wirksamkeit wurden in beiden Gruppen als gut eingeschätzt, es traten keine schweren Nebenwirkungen auf. In der BT-Gruppe kam es zu einer deutlich höheren Zahl an Drop-outs als in der ÜWB Gruppe (14 versus 4), was als Hinweis auf eine bessere Umsetzbarkeit der ÜWB gewertet werden kann.
Zusammenfassend stellen ÜWB eine vielversprechende, einfach anwendbare Behandlungsmöglichkeit bei Depressionen dar. Sie wirkten kurzfristig besser als eine leitliniengemäße Therapie mit Bewegung.
Objectives:
Examine effect of single hand heating with and without negative pressure on fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PBG).
Design:
Double-blind randomized controlled trial with crossover design.
Subjects:
FBG experiment: 17 healthy subjects (4 males). PBG experiment: 13 healthy subjects (1 males).
Interventions:
Devices included one providing heat only, one heat and negative pressure, and one acting as a sham. For the FBG experiment the devices were used for 30 min. For the PBG experiment the devices were used for one hour during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
Outcome measures:
Blood glucose measurements were used to determine change in FBG, peak PBG, area under the curve (AUC), and incremental AUC (iAUC).
Results:
Temperature: Change in tympanic temperature was ≤ 0.15 °C for all trials. FBG: There was no effect on FBG. PBG: Compared to the sham device the heat plus vacuum and heat only device lowered peak blood glucose by 16(31)mg/dL, p = 0.092 and 18(28)mg/dL, p = 0.039, respectively. AUC and iAUC: Compared to the sham device, the heat plus vacuum device and heat only device lowered the AUC by 5.1(15.0)%, p = 0.234 and 7.9(11.1)%, p = 0.024 respectively and iAUC by 17.2(43.4)%, p = 0.178 and 20.5(34.5)%, p = 0.054, respectively.
Conclusions:
Heating a single hand lowers postprandial blood glucose in healthy subjects.
Far-infrared ray (FIR) is an electromagnetic wave that produces various health benefits against pathophysiological conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, renocardiovascular disorders, stress, and depression etc. However, the therapeutic application on the FIR-mediated protective potentials remains to be further extended. To achieve the better understanding on FIR-mediated therapeutic potentials, we summarized additional findings in the present study that exposure to FIR ameliorates stressful condition, memory impairments, drug dependence, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the central nervous system. In this review, we underlined that FIR requires modulations of janus kinase 2 / signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), muscarinic M1 acetylcholine receptor (M1 mAChR), dopamine D1 receptor, protein kinase C δ gene, and glutathione peroxidase-1 gene for exerting the protective potentials in response to neuropsychotoxic conditions.
New research has brought to light thatis a psychological disorder as well as an organic affliction. Indeed, it would now seem that it is an extremely psychosomatic disorder with psychological aspects weighing heavily in conditioning the onset of the pathology, with sudden restrictions in consumption and a rapid decrease in weight. Over time, this will end in a state of malnutrition and loss of personal control over the situation, together with the onset of phobic fears and the exacerbation of obsessive-compulsive disorders relating to food and the possibility of getting fat.
Hot-water immersion (HWI) is a type of thermal therapy for treating various diseases. In our study, the physiological responses to occasional and regular HWI have been explored. The rats were divided into a control group, occasional group (1D), and regular group (7D). The 1D and 7D groups received 42 °C during 15 mins HWI for 1 and 7 days, respectively. The blood samples were collected for proinflammatory cytokines examinations, the heart, liver and kidney were excised for subsequent IHC analysis to measure the level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The results revealed that the body temperature increased significantly during HWI on Day 3 and significantly declined on Days 6 and 7. For the 7D group, body weight, heart rate, hematocrit, platelet, osmolarity, and lactate level were lower than those in the 1D group. Furthermore, the levels of granulocyte counts, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 were lower in the 7D group than in the 1D group. The induction of HSP70 in the 1D group was higher than in the other groups. Physiological responses to occasional HWI are disadvantageous because of heat stress. However, adaptation to heat from regular HWI resulted in decreased proinflammatory responses and physical heat stress.
The purpose of this article is to examine the potential application of sweat rituals to group counseling, adventure therapy, and other forms of group work by describing a theoretical model for how sweat rituals work and presenting the results of a randomized comparative outcome study on the efficacy of sweat therapy. The theoretical model proposes five factors that reciprocally interact to produce the positive effects of sweat rituals: cultural priming, exercise, self-regulation, metaphorical and contextual elements, and interpersonal factors. To investigate efficacy, 85 university students were randomly assigned to either a sweat condition (group counseling in a sauna), or a non-sweat condition (group counseling in a standard office setting) for six weekly sessions. Measures included the Critical Incidents Questionnaire, Therapeutic Factor Inventory, Exercise Induced Feeling Inventory, and the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale. Results indicated that participants in the sweat condition perceived a greater availability of therapeutic factors, especially for group cohesion and interpersonal learning, and had better attendance, less attrition, and reported sessions to be more useful. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Background. Infrared sauna therapy is one of the least costly, safest and widely used ways to eliminate toxins and combat infections and allergies. Repeated sauna use can lower elevated blood pressure and improve arterial elasticity. The present study looked at the relationship between repeated sauna therapy and body weight reduction. Material and methods. We examined the effects of two weeks of daily sauna therapy on body weight in 18 obese patients and in 12 normal-weight patients using an infrared dry sauna system (65°C for 40 min). Patients were weighed before and after the sauna treatment; oral hydration with water was used to compensate for lost weight. Results. Mean body weight was significantly lower after two weeks of sauna therapy (falling by about 1.77 kg in the experimental group and 1.03 kg in the control group). The most marked weight reduction of 5.4 kg was noted in an obese class Il man (BMI=36.9). Conclusion. The results suggest that repeated sauna therapy decreased body weight in both obese and normal-weight patients. We consider that repeated sauna therapy is useful in the treatment of obesity.
Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of thoron and thermal treatment for aging-related diseases in humans. Materials and Methods: All subjects inhaled thoron with a high concentration (about 4900 Bq/m3) for 2 weeks. Blood pressures were measured and blood samples were collected after each treatment 1, 2 and 3 weeks after the first treatment. Results: The α-atrial natriuretic peptide level of the rheumatoid arthritis group was increased and the blood pressure was significantly decreased. Superoxide dismutase activity of rheumatoid arthritis group was significantly increased by treatment. In addition, thoron and thermal treatment significantly enhanced the concanavalin A-induced mitogen response and increased the level of CD4-positive cells; it decreased the level of CD8-positive cells. The results suggest that thoron and thermal treatment activates antioxidative function. Furthermore, these findings suggest that thoron and thermal treatment prevents diabetic ketoacidosis and contributes to the prevention of aging-related diseases. Conclusion: Thoron and thermal therapy may be part of the mechanism for the alleviation of diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sauna is a form of biomedical regeneration consisting of consecutive exposure to two opposite thermal agents. Firstly, during sauna bath, a person is exposed to high temperature (ranging from 70 to 100°C) at low relative humidity. Secondly, thermal exposure is followed by body cooling. One sauna bath consists of two or three repeated cycles of heat exposure followed by cooling. Sauna can be applied in sport, recreation and therapy. The aim of this publication is to present cardiovascular changes elicited by the sauna bath. High temperature induces cutaneous vasodilation and, consequently, an incerase in cutaneous blood flow. Myocardial contractility and heart rate increase. These changes lead to alterations of blood pressure and cardiac output. Abnormalities of the electrocardiogram pattern, changes in activity of renin-angiotensin- aldosterone and blood rheological properties are observed. Cardiovascular responses to sauna bath depend both on the mode and intensity of warming and the applied methods of cooling. The risk of the sauna bath-related cardiovascular complications in healthy persons is small. Nevertheless, it is higher in individuals, who apply excessive heat exposure in order to reduce the body mass or combine sauna bathing with physical effort or alcohol consumption. However, sauna bathing in patients with cardiovascular disease should be used cautiously and preceded by individual assessment of potential risks, considering concomitant medication and the methods of both heat exposure and, especially, cooling.
Introduction. The only treatment method for individuals with primary Raynaud's widely used in Poland, is drug therapy. Aim. The aim of the study was to demonstrate experimentally that other non-pharmacological treatment for primary Raynaud's sufferers are possible, and to determine their efficacy. Material and methods. The paper describes and discusses the results of comprehensive assessment of 60 patients of the Department of Dermatology. The patients were randomly assigned to a control group and two experimental groups (relaxation therapy and physical therapy, 20 patients each). As it would be unethical to deny treatment to those patients assigned to the control group, that group received drug therapy alone, while the other two groups received drug therapy plus additional treatments (infrared sauna or relaxation training). All patients were assessed on three occasions: at baseline (before the experiment) (I), and after twelve (II) and twenty-four (III) weeks of treatment. The paper presents the results of assessment of changes in capillary circulation (by capillaroscopy), pain, sweating (VAS scale), frequency of Raynaud's attacks (questionnaire), and level of anxiety (STAI questionnaire). Results. The experimental groups (physical therapy and relaxation therapy) demonstrated significantly better results on capillaroscopic examination after 24 weeks of treatment compared to the control group (p = 0.015 and p = 0.030, respectively). After 24 weeks of treatment, the physical therapy group reported a lower level of pain than the control group at p = 0.032. Conclusions. The results of the study show that the health-related problems of patients with primary Raynaud's require an interdisciplinary approach.
Background and aims:
Mild thermal treatment with "Pinpoint Plantar Long-wavelength Infrared Light Irradiation (PP-LILI)" named as Stress-Free Therapy(®) increases peripheral-deep body temperature and blood flow, and improves multiple disorders including hyperpiesia, type II diabetes and cardiovascular patients. Immunomodulatory effects of PP-LILI were investigated.
Materials and methods:
Seven healthy individuals and 4 people with underlying medical condition (UMC) participated in this study. Participants were given PP-LILI stimuli twice a week over 3 weeks and followed with placebo stimuli over 3 weeks. This set of sessions was repeated 3 times. For analyses, fresh peripheral mononuclear cells from participants were stained with fluorescencedye conjugated monoclonal antibodies and changes in populational compositions and IL-10 expression levels were observed by flow cytometry.
Results:
Distinct expression of IL-10 in lymphocytes was induced by PP-LILI from the second session in the healthy individuals. This induction was terminated during the following placebo sessions. PP-LILI induced activation of CD19(+) CD24(hi) CD38(hi) regulatory B cells in every session prior to induce the IL-10 in major lymphocytes. Activated regulatory B cells in the individuals with UMC decreased as same levels of healthy individuals after second PP-LILI session and re-activated with the stimuli. Significant population changes in neither regulatory T cells nor proinflammatory IL-17A expressing CD4(+) T cells were observed.
Conclusions:
PP-LILI is a potent immunomodulatory inducer that activates regulatory B cells and consequent IL-10 expression in lymphocytes. Moreover, its stimulatory intervals down-regulate the higher activation of regulatory B cells and lymphocyte's IL-10 expression occurred by UMC to the healthy people's level.
Purpose:
A novel application of infrared-C (IR-C) radiation (3-1000 μm) on hemiparetic stroke patients was evaluated. Hot compresses (HC) were used on the paretic shoulders of patients in this placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effects of IR-C on skin temperature, electrodermal conductance (EC) and pain relief.
Materials and methods:
Skin temperature at the center of the middle deltoid (CMD), Quchi (LI11), and the center of the third metacarpal bone on dorsum of hand (COT) of the subjects at Brunnstrom stage 3-5 before and after IR-C HC, were examined. Meanwhile, EC was measured on Hegu (LI4), Quchi and Juanyu (LI15). Pain intensity was evaluated before and after treatment.
Results:
Skin temperature increased significantly at the CMD and COT on the paretic side in males. In females after treatment, similar skin temperatures were found in each measured region on both the paretic and non-paretic sides. The EC on the paretic side tended to be higher than the non-paretic side before treatment. After treatment, the EC on paretic side declined in both sexes and became even lower than the non-paretic side in females. Pain intensity was lessened after treatment especially in males, which appeared to correspond with an increase in skin temperature and a decrease in EC.
Conclusion:
IR-C hot compress is a promising method for stroke patients in rehabilitation. Physiological mechanisms of this treatment were proposed and summarized from this research.
Background and aims:
The current investigation was aimed at the development of a novel non-invasive treatment system, "pinpoint plantar long-wavelength infrared light irradiation (PP-LILI)", which may be able to relieve mental stress and reduce stress-related hormones. Materials (Subjects) and methods: We compared the subcutaneous temperature, blood pressure, the degree of secretion of stress hormones before and after pinpoint irradiations (wavelength: 8-11 μm; output: 30mW). The study enrolled 15 subjects (Japanese healthy adults; 8 males, 7 females; average age 47.8 ± 14.6 years). Two parts of the planter region were irradiated for 15 min respectively. The stress markers such as ACTH, salivary amylase and cortisol were measured. As well, core body temperature and blood pressure were analyzed before and after the irradiation.
Results:
A series of experiments revealed increased body temperature, decreased levels of blood pressure and stress markers described above after the irradiation.
Conclusions:
These results clearly suggest that the PP-LILI system will be quite useful for relieving stress and improvement of homeostatic functions in the body.
浴槽のサイズにより入浴時のリラックス度が異なるかどうかを調べるため, 10名の健康男性（21-31歳）を対象に, 入浴中の脳波を記録しα波の出現頻度を調べた。被検者は朝より絶食とし, テレメトリー式の脳波計にて, 小浴槽での入浴前, 入浴中, 入浴後10分の脳波を連続記録した。別の日の同時刻に同一被検者が, 大浴槽にて同様の記録を行った。小浴槽として60×70×60cmの浴槽を, 大浴槽として327×595×107cmのプールを用い, 水温は両者とも39℃とした。入浴は胸骨柄の高さまでとし, プールでの水深はプール内の階段を用いて60cmとなるように工夫した。実験終了後全員に, どちらがより快適であったかの質問を行った。小浴槽での入浴中, α波の出現は有意に減少し（P<0.01）, 出浴後には元に戻った。これに対し大浴槽では, 入浴中のα波の出現は入浴前と比べ変化がなく, 出浴後にはむしろ増加した。入浴中のα波の出現頻度は, 小浴槽に比べ大浴槽において有意に高かった（P<0.05）。実験終了後に行った質問では, 被検者全員が大浴槽の方が快適と答えた。以上より, リラックスする目的で入浴する場合には, より大きな浴槽での入浴が好ましいと考えられた。
Ghrelin, a novel 28 amino acid peptide found in hypothalamus and stomach, was recently identified as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). We have now found that both intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of ghrelin in freely feeding rats stimulated food intake. The onset of increased feeding was rapid and after i.c.v. administration was sustained for 24 hours. Following i.c.v. administration of 3 nmol ghrelin, the duration and magnitude of the feeding stimulation was similar to that following 5 nmol neuropeptide Y (NPY). Plasma growth hormone (GH) concentration increased following both i.c.v. and i.p. administration of ghrelin. Release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) was stimulated and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) inhibited following i.c.v. administration of ghrelin. These data suggest a possible role for the newly identified endogenous hypothalamic peptide, ghrelin, in stimulation of feeding and growth hormone secretion.
Ghrelin is a recently identified endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It is synthesized predominantly in the stomach and found in the circulation of healthy humans. Ghrelin has been shown to promote increased food intake, weight gain and adiposity in rodents. The effect of ghrelin on appetite and food intake in man has not been determined. We investigated the effects of intravenous ghrelin (5.0 pmol/kg/min) or saline infusion on appetite and food intake in a randomised double-blind cross-over study in nine healthy volunteers. There was a clear-cut increase in energy consumed by every individual from a free-choice buffet (mean increase 28 +/- 3.9%, p<0.001) during ghrelin compared with saline infusion. Visual analogue scores for appetite were greater during ghrelin compared to saline infusion. Ghrelin had no effect on gastric emptying as assessed by the paracetamol absorption test. Ghrelin is the first circulating hormone demonstrated to stimulate food intake in man. Endogenous ghrelin is a potentially important new regulator of the complex systems controlling food intake and body weight.
Systemic thermal therapy, such as taking a warm-water bath and sauna, induces systemic vasodilation. It was found that repeated sauna therapy (60 degrees C for 15 min) improved hemodynamic parameters, clinical symptoms, cardiac function, and vascular endothelial function in patients with congestive heart failure. Vascular endothelial function is impaired in subjects with lifestyle-related diseases, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and smoking. Sauna therapy also improved endothelial dysfunction in these subjects, suggesting a preventive role for atherosclerosis. In animal experiments, sauna therapy increases mRNA and protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in aortas. In normal-weight patients with appetite loss, repeated sauna therapy increased plasma ghrelin concentrations and daily caloric intake and improved feeding behavior. In obese patients, the body weight and body fat significantly decreased after 2 weeks of sauna therapy without increase of plasma ghrelin concentrations. On the basis of these data, sauna therapy may be a promising therapy for patients with lifestyle-related diseases.
RECENT development and use of the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) has Proven to be a valuable tool in the assessment of depressive disorders in a group of hospitalized inpatients.1 There is a similar need in outpatient clinics to quantitate the amount of depressive symptomatology present or absent in the patients seen for treatment. Depressive symptoms may be present in any of the psychiatric disturbances seen in such a clinic, and a diagnosis of depressive disorder must still be made on a clinical basis. However, the use of such a scale is valuable in documenting and quantitating initial symptoms and complaints, and following changes in the patient's clinical course subsequent to treatment, using any of the modalities available.
The purpose of a self-rating depression scale to be used in such an outpatient clinic setting would be similar to the ones stated previously with respect to its
17O-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of serum were taken in rats, which had been exposed to far-infrared radiation since the prenatal period (either at 21 or at 61 days of age). No significant difference in half height width of water signal was observed between the exposed and the non-exposed rats.
The adverse effects and therapeutic benefits of heat, specifically infrared radiation, on skin have received little attention. In this review we discuss the evidence indicating that heat and infrared radiation are not totally harmless, but that they may be involved in both photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. We also review the clinical syndrome thought to be caused by infrared radiation and the therapeutic uses of both local heat and infrared radiation.
Contrary to previous presumption, accumulated evidence indicates that far-infrared rays are biologically active. A small ceramic disk that emits far-infrared rays (4-16 microns) has commonly been applied to a local spot or a whole part of the body for exposure. Pioneering attempts to experimentally analyze an effect of acute and chronic radiation of far-infrared rays on living organisms have detected a growth-promoting effect in growing rats, a sleep-modulatory effect in freely behaving rats and an insomiac patient, and a blood circulation-enhancing effect in human skin. Questionnaires to 542 users of far-infrared radiator disks embedded in bedclothes revealed that the majority of the users subjectively evaluated an improvement of their health. These effects on living organisms appear to be non-specifically triggered by an exposure to far-infrared rays, which eventually induce an increase in temperature of the body tissues or, more basically, an elevated motility of body fluids due to decrease in size of water clusters.
SINCE the initial publications on the development and validation of the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS),1,2 there has been continued interest in it. Diversity in the application of this tool is evidenced by its use in the programs of suicide prevention centers, alcoholism clinics, child guidance and adult psychiatric clinics, health and welfare agencies, and by various research groups, including the Veterans Administration Cooperative Studies in Psychiatry and the Early Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit of the Psychopharmacology Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health.
In a series of studies exploring social structure and mental illness, Redlich et al3-6 reported highly significant relationships between social class position and aspects of psychiatric disorders, such as prevalence of psychiatric patients, types of psychiatric disorders, and choice of treatment modalities.
If these relationships exist as such, is there a significant correlation between social status and results
A warm-water bath (WWB) or sauna bath (SB) has generally been considered inappropriate for patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF). However, a comprehensive investigation of the hemodynamic effects of thermal vasodilation in CHF has not been previously undertaken.
To investigate the acute hemodynamic effects of thermal vasodilation in CHF, we studied 34 patients with chronic CHF (mean age, 58 +/- 14 years). Clinical stages were New York Heart Association functional class II in 2, III in 19, and IV in 13 patients. Mean ejection fraction was 25 +/- 9%. After a Swan-Ganz catheter was inserted via the right jugular vein, the patient had a WWB for 10 minutes at 41 degrees C or an SB for 15 minutes at 60 degrees C. Blood pressure, ECG, echo-Doppler, expiration gas, and intracardiac pressures were recorded before, during, and 30 minutes after each bath. Oxygen consumption increased mildly, pulmonary arterial blood temperature increased by 1.2 degrees C, and heart rate increased by 20 to 25 beats per minute on average at the end of WWB or SB. Systolic blood pressure showed no significant change. Diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly during SB (P < .01). Cardiac and stroke indexes increased and systemic vascular resistances decreased significantly during and after WWB and SB (P < .01). Mean pulmonary artery, mean pulmonary capillary wedge, and mean right atrial pressures increased significantly during WWB (P < .05) but decreased significantly during SB (P < .05). These pressures decreased significantly from the control level after each bath (P < .01). Mitral regurgitation associated with CHF decreased during and 30 minutes after each bath. Cardiac dimensions decreased and left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly after WWB and SB. In an additional study, plasma norepinephrine increased significantly during SB in healthy control subjects and in patients with CHF and returned to control levels by 30 minutes after SB.
Hemodynamics improve after WWB or SB in patients with chronic CHF. This is attributable to the reduction in cardiac preload and afterload. Thus, thermal vasodilation can be applied with little risk if appropriately performed and may provide a new nonpharmacological therapy for CHF.
Small synthetic molecules called growth-hormone secretagogues (GHSs) stimulate the release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary. They act through GHS-R, a G-protein-coupled receptor for which the ligand is unknown. Recent cloning of GHS-R strongly suggests that an endogenous ligand for the receptor does exist and that there is a mechanism for regulating GH release that is distinct from its regulation by hypothalamic growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). We now report the purification and identification in rat stomach of an endogenous ligand specific for GHS-R. The purified ligand is a peptide of 28 amino acids, in which the serine 3 residue is n-octanoylated. The acylated peptide specifically releases GH both in vivo and in vitro, and O-n-octanoylation at serine 3 is essential for the activity. We designate the GH-releasing peptide 'ghrelin' (ghre is the Proto-Indo-European root of the word 'grow'). Human ghrelin is homologous to rat ghrelin apart from two amino acids. The occurrence of ghrelin in both rat and human indicates that GH release from the pituitary may be regulated not only by hypothalamic GHRH, but also by ghrelin.
Ghrelin is an acylated peptide that stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary. Ghrelin-producing neurons are located in the hypothalamus, whereas ghrelin receptors are expressed in various regions of the brain, which is indicative of central-and as yet undefined-physiological functions. Here we show that ghrelin is involved in the hypothalamic regulation of energy homeostasis. Intracerebroventricular injections of ghrelin strongly stimulated feeding in rats and increased body weight gain. Ghrelin also increased feeding in rats that are genetically deficient in growth hormone. Anti-ghrelin immunoglobulin G robustly suppressed feeding. After intracerebroventricular ghrelin administration, Fos protein, a marker of neuronal activation, was found in regions of primary importance in the regulation of feeding, including neuropeptide Y6 (NPY) neurons and agouti-related protein (AGRP) neurons. Antibodies and antagonists of NPY and AGRP abolished ghrelin-induced feeding. Ghrelin augmented NPY gene expression and blocked leptin-induced feeding reduction, implying that there is a competitive interaction between ghrelin and leptin in feeding regulation. We conclude that ghrelin is a physiological mediator of feeding, and probably has a function in growth regulation by stimulating feeding and release of growth hormone.
We sought to determine whether sauna therapy, a thermal vasodilation therapy, improves endothelial function in patients with coronary risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking.
Exposure to heat is widely used as a traditional therapy in many different cultures. We have recently found that repeated sauna therapy improves endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure.
Twenty-five men with at least one coronary risk factor (risk group: 38 +/- 7 years) and 10 healthy men without coronary risk factors (control group: 35 +/- 8 years) were enrolled. Patients in the risk group were treated with a 60 degrees C far infrared-ray dry sauna bath for 15 min and then kept in a bed covered with blankets for 30 min once a day for two weeks. To assess endothelial function, brachial artery diameter was measured at rest, during reactive hyperemia (flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilation [%FMD]), again at rest and after sublingual nitroglycerin administration (endothelium-independent vasodilation [%NTG]) using high-resolution ultrasound.
The %FMD was significantly impaired in the risk group compared with the control group (4.0 +/- 1.7% vs. 8.2 +/- 2.7%, p < 0.0001), while %NTG was similar (18.7 +/- 4.2% vs. 20.4 +/- 5.1%). Two weeks of sauna therapy significantly improved %FMD in the risk group (4.0 +/- 1.7% to 5.8 +/- 1.3%, p < 0.001). In contrast, %NTG did not change after two weeks of sauna therapy (18.7 +/- 4.2% to 18.1 +/- 4.1%).
Repeated sauna treatment improves impaired vascular endothelial function in the setting of coronary risk factors, suggesting a therapeutic role for sauna treatment in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis.
Ghrelin, a novel GH-releasing peptide isolated from human and rat stomach, stimulates food intake and GH secretion. We determined plasma ghrelin concentrations in patients with simple obesity, anorexia nervosa, and type 2 diabetes mellitus by RIA. We also studied plasma ghrelin responses to glucose load and meal intake and obtained a 24-h profile of circulating ghrelin in humans.
Plasma ghrelin concentrations in patients with simple obesity and anorexia nervosa were lower and higher, respectively, than those of healthy subjects with normal body weight. Among those with type 2 diabetes mellitus, obese patients had lower and lean patients higher fasting plasma ghrelin concentrations than normal-weight patients. Fasting plasma ghrelin concentration was negatively correlated with body mass index in both nondiabetic and diabetic patients. Plasma ghrelin concentrations of normal subjects decreased significantly after oral and iv glucose administration; a similar response was also observed in diabetic patients after a meal tolerance test, reaching a nadir of 69% of the basal level after the meal. Circulating plasma ghrelin showed a diurnal pattern with preprandial increases, postprandial decreases, and a maximum peak at 0200 h. This study demonstrates that nutritional state is a determinant of plasma ghrelin in humans. Ghrelin secretion is up-regulated under conditions of negative energy balance and down-regulated in the setting of positive energy balance. These findings suggest the involvement of ghrelin in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy homeostasis.
The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism by which 60 degrees C sauna treatment improves cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).
We have previously reported that repeated 60 degrees C sauna treatment improves hemodynamic data and clinical symptoms in patients with CHF. We hypothesized that the sauna restores endothelial function and then improves cardiac function.
Twenty patients (62 plus minus 15 years) in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III CHF were treated in a dry sauna at 60 degrees C for 15 min and then kept on bed rest with a blanket for 30 min, daily for two weeks. Ten patients with CHF, matched for age, gender and NYHA functional class, were placed on a bed in a temperature-controlled (24 degrees C) room for 45 min as the nontreated group. Using high-resolution ultrasound, we measured the diameter of the brachial artery at rest and during reactive hyperemia (percent flow-mediated dilation, %FMD: endothelium-dependent dilation), as well as after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (%NTG: endothelium-independent dilation). Cardiac function was evaluated by measuring the concentrations of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).
Clinical symptoms were improved in 17 of 20 patients after two weeks of sauna therapy. The %FMD after two-week sauna treatment significantly increased from the baseline value, whereas the %NTG-induced dilation did not. Concentrations of BNP after the two-week sauna treatment decreased significantly. In addition, there was a significant correlation between the change in %FMD and the percent improvement in BNP concentrations in the sauna-treated group. In contrast, none of the variables changed at the two-week interval in the nontreated group.
Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial function, resulting in an improvement in cardiac function and clinical symptoms.
Previous studies have reported that fasting plasma ghrelin concentrations play an important role in the pathophysiology of eating disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma ghrelin levels and frequency of abnormal eating behaviors, nutritional parameters in eating disorders. Fasting blood samples were obtained in 40 female anorexia nervosa (AN) patients, 21 restricting type (AN-R) and 19 binge-eating/purging type (AN-BP), in 31 bulimia nervosa (BN) patients, 18 purging type (BN-P) and 13 non-purging type (BN-NP), in 15 female healthy volunteers (control) before the initiation of active treatment. The fasting plasma ghrelin concentrations in all subjects were negatively correlated with nutritional parameters such as body mass index, percent body fat and serum cholinesterase concentration. The mean plasma ghrelin level in BN-P was higher than that in both BN-NP and controls despite similar nutritional parameters. The plasma ghrelin levels in both AN-R and AN-BP did not differ from BN-P despite difference of nutritional parameters. For both AN-BP and BN-P patients with habitual binge/purge behavior, there were significant correlations among plasma ghrelin values, frequencies of binge/purge cycles and serum amylase values. In BN-NP, there were no significant correlations among plasma ghrelin values, frequencies of binge-eating episodes and serum amylase values. These results suggest that habitual binge/purge behavior may have some influence on circulating plasma ghrelin levels in both BN-P and AN-BP. Habitual binge/purge cycles with vomiting as opposed to binge-eating episodes without vomiting may have a greater influence on fasting plasma ghrelin concentration in eating disorders.
The fact that there is a need for assessing depression, whether as an affect, a symptom, or a disorder is obvious by the numerous scales and inventories available and in use today.
This paper describes the successful treatment of two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) using repeated thermal therapy.
Two patients with CFS underwent treatment with prednisolone (PSL), with no satisfactory effect. They were subjected to thermal therapy that consisted of a far-infrared ray dry sauna at 60 degrees C and postsauna warming. The therapy was performed once a day, for a total of 35 sessions. After discharge, these subjects continued the therapy once or twice a week on an outpatient basis for 1 year.
Symptoms such as fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and low-grade fever were dramatically improved after 15 to 25 sessions of thermal therapy. Although PSL administration was discontinued, the subjects showed no relapse or exacerbation of symptoms during the first year after discharge. The patients became socially rehabilitated 6 months after discharge.
These results suggest that repeated thermal therapy might be a promising method for the treatment of CFS.
Kli-nische Lehrbuch der Physikalischen Therapie
- H Drexel
- Hydro
- J Grober
- Fisher
Drexel H. Hydro-und Themotherapie. In: Grober J, Fisher G, eds. Kli-nische Lehrbuch der Physikalischen Therapie. Stuttgart: Verlag; 1970: 261–332
Cutaneous effects and therapeutic uses of heat with emphasis on infrared radiation
- Js Dover
- Tj Phillips
- Ka Arndt
Dover JS, Phillips TJ, Arndt KA. Cutaneous effects and therapeutic uses
of heat with emphasis on infrared radiation. J Am Acad Dermatol
1989;20:278 – 86.
The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders: Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines
The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders: Clinical
Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines. Geneva: World Health
Organization; 1992:6.
Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach
Ghrelin is a growth-hormone-releasing acylated peptide from stomach.
Nature 1999;402:656 -60.
Simultaneous experimental acclimatization to heat and cold in man
- E M Glaser
- R J Shepherd
Glaser EM, Shepherd RJ. Simultaneous experimental acclimatization to
heat and cold in man. J Physiol 1963;169:592-602.
The novel hypothalamic peptide ghrelin stimulates food intake and growth hormone secretion.
- Wren
Cutaneous effects and therapeutic uses of heat with emphasis on infrared radiation.
- Dover
The Cornell Medical Index-Health questionnaire 3. The evaluation of emotional disturbances.
- Brodman
Klinische Lehrbuch der Physikalischen Therapie.
- Drexel