Hot spring and sauna use for improving blood lipid profiles: A systematic review and expert consensus on efficacy and recommendations
Yamasaki S, Tokunou T, Kashiwado Y, Makishi M, Horiuchi T
Complementary therapies in medicine · 0 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- Government
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Government
- Government of Japan Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare
- Grants
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (24FA1004)
Based on 2 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2025-09-04 · Complement Ther Med · vol. 94 · p. 103241
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Cited
- 4 citations · more than 67% of similar papers · 0.8× the field average
- References
- 25 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY-NC-ND
- Research areas
- Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Therapeutic Uses of Natural Elements · Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- Medicine, Intensive care medicine, Systematic review, Physical therapy, MEDLINE, Medical physics
- MeSH
- humans, lipids, steam bath, consensus, hot springs, adult, middle aged, dyslipidemias, randomized controlled trials as topic
5 authors
From JP
- Satoshi Yamasaki · correspondingSt Mary's Hospital
- Tomotake TokunouFukuoka Dental College
- Yusuke KashiwadoHiroshima Red Cross Hospital & Atomic-bomb Survivors Hospital
- Mari MakishiKeio University
- Takahiko HoriuchiFukuoka City Hospital
Abstract
Objectives
Dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Traditional treatments often focus on pharmacological interventions; however, alternative therapies, such as hot spring and sauna use, have recently gained attention because of their potentially beneficial effects on lipid profiles and cardiovascular health.
Design and setting
This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the efficacy of hot spring and sauna use, alone or combined with exercise therapy, in improving blood lipid profiles, with a focus on mechanisms, benefits, and limitations.
Methods
The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search of 330 records across major databases identified 127 studies for blinded screening using Rayyan (a web-based application for conducting systematic reviews). Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of hot spring and sauna use on lipid profiles in adults were included.
Results
Four RCTs in younger adults (mean age < 60 years) demonstrated that hot spring and sauna use resulted in reductions in serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; these therapies were given a weak expert recommendation. Three RCTs in older adults (mean age ≥ 60 years) showed no significant blood lipid changes.
Conclusions
In younger adults, hot spring and sauna use, particularly when combined with exercise therapy, may contribute to improved lipid profiles. Emerging evidence from intervention studies could inform future guidelines for integrating these therapies into dyslipidemia management strategies.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC-ND).
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