Effects of Waon therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study
Soejima Y, Munemoto T, Masuda A, Uwatoko Y, Miyata M, Tei C
Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) · 21 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Controlled clinical trial (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- Government
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Grants
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (26461148)
Based on 1 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2015-01-01 · Intern Med · vol. 54 · issue 3 · pp. 333–338
- Publisher
- The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
- Cited
- 31 citations · more than 81% of similar papers · 1.5× the field average
- References
- 37 works
- Access
- Open access (free to publish)
- Research areas
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research · Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Keywords
- Medicine, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Mood, Profile of mood states, Physical therapy, Rating scale, Anxiety, Depression (economics), Adverse effect, Internal medicine, Psychiatry
- MeSH
- humans, fatigue syndrome, chronic, pain, pain measurement, treatment outcome, hyperthermia, induced, severity of illness index, pilot projects, depression, affect, anxiety, infrared rays, quality of life, adolescent, adult, middle aged, patient satisfaction, female, male, surveys and questionnaires
6 authors
From JP
- Yuji SoejimaKagoshima University
- Takao MunemotoKagoshima University
- Akinori MasudaKagoshima University
- Yuuki UwatokoKagoshima University
- Masaaki MiyataKagoshima University
- Chuwa TeiKagoshima University
Abstract
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.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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