Safety, Acceptance, and Physiologic Effects of Sauna Bathing in People With Chronic Heart Failure: A Pilot Report

Waon Therapy for Managing Chronic Heart Failure – Results From a Multicenter Prospective Randomized WAON-CHF Study –

“…*P<0.05 using paired t-test. Waon Therapy for Advanced HF over trial, 22 the safety in patients with advanced HF has been hitherto unknown. We demonstrated in the present study that Waon therapy could be performed as safely as the prevalent optimal medical therapy.…”

Leg Heating Using Far Infra-red Radiation in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure Acutely Improves the Hemodynamics, Vascular Endothelial Function, and Oxidative Stress

“…In addition, many people, even patients with CHF, have found sauna bathing pleasurable and relaxing (9). Thermal therapy may be an alternative or adjuvant treatment for patients with CHF which provides not only cardiovascular benefits but also relaxation and pleasure.…”

“…to improve left ventricular function and vascular activity in people with CHF (5)(6)(7)(8)(9). In addition, many people, even patients with CHF, have found sauna bathing pleasurable and relaxing (9).…”

Neurohumoral Modulation During Waon Therapy in Chronic Heart Failure ― Subanalysis of Waon-CHF Study ―

“…these neurohumoral systems became even more critical when it was discovered that modulation of these 2 systems prolongs survival in HF such as with the newly approved drug Entresto (angiotensin-converting enzyme/neprilysin inhibitor), and that monitoring these circulating neurohormones is important in understanding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies of HF. 11 After confirming the safety of Waon therapy by a firstin-human study, 12 phase I and II clinical trials of Waon therapy in patients with chronic and hospitalized HF were initiated in Japan, which showed safety, and efficacy according to clinical symptoms and B-type NP (BNP) levels. 3,5,6,9,13, 14 Most recently, we reported a phase III clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of Waon therapy in a multicenter, randomized study (WAON-CHF Study).…”

“…With Waon therapy, the sauna temperature is set at 60°C for 15 min, and performed 3 times per week for 4 weeks, which has resulted in decreased noradrenaline and a trend to decreasing ANP levels. 12 After confirmation of the safety of the treatment in terms of neurohumoral action, phase I and II clinical trials of Waon therapy for 2-4 weeks in patients with chronic, hospitalized HF were initiated in Japan, which showed safety, and efficacy according to the clinical symptoms and reduced BNP levels. 3,5,6,9,13, 14 With regard to pathophysiological mechanisms, Waon therapy may play an important role in endothelial function.…”