Effects of Sauna bathing on Exercise Capacity and Muscle Function in HFpEF
Bekfani T, Abo Hwach A, Moebert R, Seibel S, Burger A, Kaehne T, M Bekhite M, Vargas KG, Janashia M, Groscheck T, Daboul A, Rauwolf T, Behrendt T, Lichtenauer M, Paar V, Lemmer P, Friede T, Schega L, Biering-Sorensen T, Schulze PC, Anker SD, von Haehling S, Schmeisser A, Braun-Dullaeus RC
European journal of heart failure · 0 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Controlled clinical trial (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- University or hospital
- department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Intensive Medicine, University Hospital Magdeburg
Based on 1 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2026-03-12 · Eur J Heart Fail
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Cited
- 3 citations · more than 100% of similar papers · 35.2× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 49 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Cardiovascular and exercise physiology · Cardiovascular Function and Risk Factors · Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Keywords
- Anaerobic exercise, Heart failure, Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, Heart rate, Exercise intolerance, Skeletal muscle, Ejection fraction, Blood pressure, Cardiac function curve
24 authors
From DK, DE, AT
- Tarek Bekfani · correspondingUniversity of Copenhagen; University Hospital Magdeburg
- Ammar Abo HwachUniversity Hospital Magdeburg
- R MoebertUniversity Hospital Magdeburg
- S SeibelUniversity Hospital Magdeburg
- Alina BurgerUniversity Hospital Magdeburg
- Thilo KaehneOtto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
Abstract
Background and aims
Treatment options to improve exercise capacity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are limited. We hypothesized that sauna bathing enhances exercise performance, skeletal muscle function, body composition, and quality of life (QoL) in HFpEF. However, benefits may decline after discontinuation. SAUNA-HFpEF is the first prospective mechanistic, translational pilot study investigating feasibility, safety, and efficacy of supervised sauna bathing in stable HFpEF outpatients.
Methods
Participants completed 10 weeks of sauna sessions (60°C, twice weekly), with duration progressively increased from 8 to 15 minutes. Blood pressure and heart rate were monitored three times per session. Assessments were performed at baseline, end of study (after 10 weeks intervention), and 3 months after sauna withdrawal (follow-up), including echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), quadriceps strength testing, QoL questionnaires (SF-36, HADS, EQ-5D), laboratory testing, and body composition. Skeletal muscle biopsies were collected at baseline and at end of study to explore structural and metabolic mechanisms.
Results
Eighteen patients completed the study with 97% adherence and no adverse events. Peak VO2 and 6MWT improved [(18.2±5.1 to 20.6±5.7 ml/min/kg, p<0.001), 494±95 to 527±111m (p=0.006)], as did anaerobic threshold, quadriceps strength, diastolic function (E/e´), HADS-depression-score, and SF-36 social functioning; p<0.05). At follow-up, peak VO2 and anaerobic threshold declined compared to end of study (p<0.01). Body fat mass decreased continuously. Muscle biopsies showed anabolic/metabolic upregulation and catabolism downregulation.
Conclusion
Sauna bathing was safe, feasible, and improved exercise capacity, body composition, muscle function, and QoL in HFpEF. Benefits diminished after withdrawal. A large multicentre controlled randomized trial is currently being planned.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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