This study, conducted by Masaaki Miyata and colleagues, examined the clinical effects of Waon therapy (a type of heat therapy using a far-infrared sauna) on patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). A total of 188 patients with CHF were included in the study and were randomly assigned to either a Waon therapy group (112 patients) or a control group (76 patients), both of which continued their standard CHF treatments. The Waon therapy group underwent daily sessions in a 60°C sauna for 15 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of bed rest, for two weeks. The researchers measured several key health indicators before and after the treatment, including heart size and function through chest radiography, echocardiography, and plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a marker of heart strain.
The results showed that Waon therapy was effective in improving both clinical symptoms and cardiac function in CHF patients. In the Waon therapy group, heart function improved significantly, as seen in better echocardiographic measurements, including increased ejection fraction (EF) and reduced heart size (e.g., reduced left ventricular dimensions). Additionally, the plasma BNP levels dropped significantly in the Waon therapy group, indicating reduced heart strain, while there was no significant change in the control group. Overall, the study concluded that Waon therapy is a safe and promising non-drug treatment that improves cardiac function, reduces heart size, and alleviates symptoms in patients with CHF. The research highlights how heat therapy, through its ability to improve circulation and reduce stress on the heart, can be a valuable addition to traditional treatments for heart failure.
