The study conducted by Il-Suk Sohn and colleagues, published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, explores the effects of Waon therapy on patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Waon therapy, which involves exposure to a 60°C dry sauna followed by rest, aims to improve cardiovascular health by enhancing cardiac function and alleviating symptoms associated with heart failure. The study involved ten CHF patients who underwent Waon therapy for a minimum of two weeks. The results indicated that four of the five patients who adhered to the therapy for this duration experienced improvements in heart failure symptoms and a reduction in left ventricular volume. While the study noted trends towards improved left ventricular ejection fraction and diastolic function, these findings were not statistically significant. The therapy was well tolerated, with no adverse events reported.
This pioneering research in Korea highlights the potential of Waon therapy as a non-invasive treatment option for CHF. Previous studies, primarily conducted in Japan by Tei et al., suggested that this thermal therapy could enhance vascular endothelial function and improve hemodynamics in heart failure patients. The Korean study reinforces these findings, suggesting that Waon therapy may lower blood pressure and body weight while increasing body temperature during sessions. Despite the promising results, the authors stress the need for larger, randomized trials to better understand the long-term effects and safety of Waon therapy in diverse patient populations.
