Doctor holds a stethoscope to a heart model

Study on balneotherapy for chronic heart failure

Jun-Ichi Oyama et al.

January 2012

Healing & thermal therapy

Heart / Circulatory system

Kneipp therapy

Thalasso treatment

The aim of this study was to prove a positive effect of balneotherapy on patients with chronic heart failure.

The sample consisted of 32 people with heart failure II or III according to the New York Heart Association classification and was divided into a balneotherapy group and a control group. The balneotherapy group received treatment in hot springs at 40 °C for 10 minutes daily for 2 weeks, while the subjects in the control group showered daily.

The clinical symptoms as well as CTR, EF and BNP showeda significant improvement after 2 weeks of balneotherapy. Although there was no change in heart rate, there was also a significant reduction in inflammatory reactions.

The study provided evidence that repeated hyperthermia can improve cardiac function and inflammatory status in patients with chronic heart failure.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Chronic heart failure
Institution: Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Geriatric Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital at Beppu and Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 4546 Tsurumihara, Beppu, Oita, 874-0838, Japan
Title: Study on the effect of balneotherapy on chronic heart failure
Brief description: The study shows that balneotherapy in chronic heart failure improves heart function and significantly reduces inflammation.
Original title: Hyperthermia by bathing in a hot spring improves cardiovascular functions and reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines in patients with chronic heart failure
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22231540/