Preliminary Clinical Experience with Waon Therapy in Korea: Safety and Effect

Abstract

P Pr re el li im mi in na ar ry y C Cl li in ni ic ca al l E Ex xp pe er ri ie en nc ce e w wi it th h W Wa ao on n T Th he er ra ap py y i in n K Ko or re ea a: : S Sa af fe et ty y a an nd d E Ef ff fe ec ct t Waon therapy has beneficial effects on chronic heart failure (CHF), peripheral arterial disease, and other various diseases. This was to assess the safety and effect of Waon therapy by echocardiography for the first time in Korea. M Me et th ho od ds s: : Ten patients with CHF were enrolled. The patients with a light gown were placed in a sitting-position in an evenly maintained 60˚C dry sauna system for 15 minutes, and then after leaving the sauna, they underwent bed rest with a blanket to keep them warm for an additional 30 minutes. Waon therapy was performed once a day, 5 days a week. R Re es su ul lt ts s: : Four of the 5 patients who had been treated for more than 2 weeks as protocol noted improvement of heart failure (HF) symptoms and decrease in left ventricular (LV) volume. There were trends in improvement of LV ejection fraction and parameters of diastolic function after the therapy although statistical significance was lack. No one complained of worsening of HF symptoms. In each session, body weight (61.8±10.2 kg vs. 61.6±10.3 kg, p=0.008) and blood pressure (systolic, 119±28 vs. 111±27 mmHg, p=0.005; diastolic, 69±12 mmHg vs. 63±10 mmHg, p=0.005) were significantly decreased, oral temperature (35.9±0.4˚C vs. 37.0±0.9˚C, p=0.017) was increased by 1.0˚C at the end of sauna bathing, but the heart rate (71±10/min vs. 72±8/min, p=0.8) was not changed. C Co on nc cl lu us si io on n: : We have experienced Waon therapy which was safe and well tolerated and some beneficial effects for patients with CHF. Large scale randomized study is needed to apply Waon therapy as a promising therapy in Korean HF patients.

Far infrared radiation (FIR): Its biological effects and medical applications

“…These cabins are frequently used in Japan where the practice is called “Waon therapy” [20, 21]. Waon therapy has been used extensively in Japan [22] and Korea [23] for cardiovascular conditions and diseases, particularly chronic heart failure [24, 25] and peripheral arterial disease [26, 27]. FIR sauna therapy has been used to improve cardiac and vascular function and reduce oxidative stress in patients with chronic heart failure [28].…”

Dry sauna therapy is beneficial for patients with low back pain

“…Furthermore, these thermal therapy methods increase blood flow and decrease muscle spasms [ 5 , 6 ]. Importantly, thermal therapy has no significant adverse effects and does not require any physical or mental effort [ 7 ]. Therefore, patient compliance with this type of therapy is very high.…”

“…Previous studies on the effects of thermal therapy were performed primarily with Waon therapy [ 7 – 11 ]. Waon therapy uses a far infrared-ray day sauna, which is evenly maintained at 60°C and thus differs from a traditional sauna; it has been used mainly in Japan [ 8 – 11 ].…”

Waon Therapy, Can It Be New Therapeutic Modality in Heart Failure Patients?

“…In this issue of the Journal, the study by Sohn et al 3) evaluated the safety and efficacy of Waon therapy in HF patients on the top of conventional medical therapy. Before this study, Waon therapy has never been introduced in Korea.…”