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Probable Benefits of Sauna
The
following information is supported by randomized, controlled trials
in peer-reviewed, medically respected journals. None of these
trials specifically refer to infrared saunas.
Improvement in Patients
with Congestive Heart Failure
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In
the Journal of Cardiac Failure, researchers reported
statistical improvements in blood pressure, strength of heart
(ejection fraction on echocardiogram), and exercise tolerance
while reducing number of hospital admissions for this condition
in patients treated with sauna. Sauna may be an effective
adjunctive treatment in this patients
with this condition.
Miyamoto, H. et al.
Safety and efficacy
in repeated sauna bathing in patients
with chronic systolic heart failure: a preliminary report.
Journal of Cardiac Failure. 2005; 11(6): 432-6.
These
claims also supported by Michalsen A, et
al. Thermal hydrotherapy improves
quality of life and hemodynamic function
in patients with chronic heart failure.
American Heart Journal. 2003; 146(4): 728-33
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A study in Circulation Journal
studied 30 patients with congestive heart failure and
preventricular contractions (PVCs),
delegating half to 60 degree C sauna treatment for 15 minutes
followed by bedrest and the other
half to 45 minutes of bed rest once a day for two weeks. The
researchers found statistical difference in the number of
PVCs as well as a statistical
improvement in the subjective functional status of the
patients. More research is needed for long-term benefits.
Kihara,
Takashi, et al. Effects of repeated saune
treatment on ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic heart
failure. Circulation Journal. 2004, 68: 1146-1151.
Possible Improvement in
Risk for Heart Disease
Imamura, M, et al.
Repeated thermal therapy improves impaired vascular endothelial
function in patients with coronary risk factors. Journal of the
American College of Cardiology. 2001, 38 (4): 1983-88.
Improvement in Patients
with Mild Depression
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A study out of Psychosomatic
Medicine looked at a group of 28 mildly depressed patients
with appetite loss and subjective symptoms and treated half of
the patients with sauna once a day for 4 weeks and half with
just bed rest for 4 weeks. They showed a significant
improvement in somatic complaints, hunger and relaxation scores
in the group treated with sauna compared to the control group.
In addition, the plasma ghrelin and
daily caloric intake improved in the sauna group significantly
more than controls. More research is needed on long-term
effects.
Masuda A, et al. Repeated
thermal therapy diminishes appetite loss and subjective complaints
in mildly depressed patients. Psychosomatic Medicine. 2005
67 (4): 643-47.
Improvements in Patients
with Chronic Pain
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A
study in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics tested 46
patients with chronic pain using a variety of treatment
modalities with and without far-infrared sauna. They found a
decrease in pain score, pain behavior, self-rating depression
and anger score in both groups of patients, but a more
significant drop was noted in the sauna group. Two years after
treatment, more of the patients in the sauna group had returned
to work than those without sauna treatment. This may be a very
promising method for the treatment of chronic pain.
Masuda, A, et al. The
effects of repeated thermal therapy for patients with chronic pain.
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. 2005; 74 (5): 288-94.
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