The study conducted by Mitsuo Sobajima and colleagues investigated the effects of *Waon therapy* (WT), a form of sauna treatment, on patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). WT involves using a 60°C far infrared-ray sauna for 15 minutes, followed by a 30-minute rest period in bed covered with blankets, repeated daily for 3 weeks. The research aimed to determine whether WT could improve not only cardiac function and exercise capacity but also the quality of life (QOL) in CHF patients. A total of 49 participants, aged around 69, underwent this treatment. Key measurements, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and QOL scores, were taken before and after the treatment.
The results showed that WT significantly improved both cardiac function (as evidenced by increased LVEF and reduced BNP levels) and exercise capacity (as measured by the 6MWD). Additionally, the therapy led to improvements in QOL, including both physical and mental health components. Interestingly, the mental component of QOL improved independently of the changes in cardiac function and exercise capacity, suggesting that WT could offer broader benefits to CHF patients. The study highlights how sauna therapy can be an effective adjunct treatment for improving not only physical health but also mental well-being in individuals with chronic heart conditions.
