A study led by F.G.J. Oosterveld and colleagues explored the effects of infrared (IR) sauna treatments on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), as well as healthy individuals. The study included 17 RA patients, 19 AS patients, and 21 healthy subjects. Each participant underwent a 30-minute IR sauna session at 55°C, during which various physiological responses were measured, including heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. The researchers found significant improvements in pain and stiffness in both RA and AS patients, with reductions of 40-60%. Additionally, the treatments led to a measurable weight loss due to sweating, though this effect was more pronounced in the healthy participants.
The study concluded that IR sauna therapy has beneficial short-term effects on pain and stiffness for patients with RA and AS, with no significant differences observed between these patients and healthy controls. Infrared sauna therapy produced similar physiological responses in both patient groups and healthy subjects, suggesting that it is a safe and effective treatment for improving the discomfort associated with arthritis. The treatment was well-tolerated by all participants, and they reported feeling comfortable both during and after the sessions. This research supports the use of infrared saunas as a therapeutic modality for managing musculoskeletal pain and stiffness in conditions like RA and AS.
