Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review
Hussain J, Cohen M
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 46 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- University or hospital
- RMIT University
- Nonprofit
- Jacka Foundation
Based on 2 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2018-01-01 · Evid Based Complement Alternat Med · vol. 2018 · issue 1 · p. 1857413
- Publisher
- Hindawi Publishing Corporation
- Cited
- 98 citations · more than 85% of similar papers · 1.6× the field average
- References
- 117 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Therapeutic Uses of Natural Elements · Textile materials and evaluations
- Keywords
- Medicine, Bathing, Adverse effect, Psychological intervention, Environmental health, Health benefits, Clinical trial, Meta-analysis, Systematic review, Randomized controlled trial, Physical therapy, MEDLINE, Gerontology, Surgery, Internal medicine, Traditional medicine, Nursing, Pathology
2 authors
From AU
- Joy N. Hussain · correspondingRMIT University
- Marc Maurice CohenRMIT University
Abstract
Introduction
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 n = 10) reported an adverse health outcome of disrupted male spermatogenesis, demonstrated to be reversible when ceasing sauna activity.
Conclusions
Regular dry sauna bathing has potential health benefits. 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.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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