Effects of sauna bath on heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Källström M, Soveri I, Oldgren J, Laukkanen J, Ichiki T, Tei C, Timmerman M, Berglund L, Hägglund H
Clinical cardiology · 10 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2018-09-21 · Clin Cardiol · vol. 41 · issue 11 · pp. 1491–1501
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Cited
- 25 citations · more than 49% of similar papers · 0.4× the field average
- References
- 26 works
- Access
- Free to read
- Research areas
- Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Physical Activity and Health · Sleep and related disorders
- Keywords
- Medicine, Heart failure, Meta-analysis, Cardiology, Blood pressure, Internal medicine, Randomized controlled trial, Diastole, Ejection fraction
- MeSH
- humans, natriuretic peptide, brain, stroke volume, treatment outcome, steam bath, infrared rays, recovery of function, ventricular function, left, aged, middle aged, female, male, heart failure, biomarkers
9 authors
From SE, FI, US, JP
- Miikka KällströmUppsala University
- Inga SoveriUppsala University
- Jonas OldgrenUppsala University; Uppsala University Hospital
- Jari A. LaukkanenUniversity of Eastern Finland; Central Finland Health Care District; University of Jyväskylä
- Tomoko IchikiMayo Clinic; Mayo Clinic in Florida; International University of Health and Welfare
- Chuwa Tei
Abstract
Background
Sauna bath has potential as a lifestyle treatment modality for heart failure (HF). It is important to analyze the current evidence to help suggest paths of future study and potential for clinical application.
Hypothesis
Sauna bath has a positive effect on HF patients.
Methods
PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases were searched to identify randomized and nonrandomized controlled studies to compare effects of sauna bath with no sauna bath. Studies were searched for both infrared sauna bath and Finnish sauna bath. The strength of evidence was rated using a modified GRADE approach. Out of 1444 studies, nine met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Seven of these nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Only studies with infrared sauna bath met the inclusion criteria.
Results
In the meta-analysis, exposure to an infrared sauna bath in 60°C for 15 minutes, followed by a 30-minute rest in warm environment, five times a week for 2 to 4 weeks, was associated with a significant reduction in B-type natriuretic peptide, cardiothoracic ratio, and an improvement in left-ventricular ejection fraction. There was no significant effect on left-ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left atrial diameter, systolic blood pressure, or diastolic blood pressure. The strength of evidence varied from moderate to insufficient.
Conclusion
Infrared sauna bath was associated with short-term improvement in cardiac function. More evidence is needed about long-term effects of sauna bath and the effects of a Finnish sauna on cardiovascular health among patients with HF or other cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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