Work

Acute Effects of a Single Session of Waon Therapy on Endothelial Function in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: A Comparative Study between RH-PAT and FMD

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Waon therapy, a mild thermal therapy that uses a 60℃ far-infrared dry sauna, has been shown to improve hemodynamics, autonomic balance, and endothelial function in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the acute effects of a single session on vascular endothelial function remain unclear. This prospective single-arm study enrolled 21 outpatients with CVD (median age, 76 years) who underwent one session of Waon therapy (15 min at 60℃ followed by 30 min of warm rest). Endothelial function was evaluated before and after therapy using simultaneous measurements of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT). Physiological parameters, including blood pressure, heart rate, tympanic and skin temperature, hallux blood flow, and heart rate variability (low frequency [LF]/high frequency [HF] ratio, HF power), were also analyzed. Tympanic and skin temperatures increased significantly, while systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased (both p < 0.001). Heart rate increased (p < 0.001). FMD decreased significantly (median 4.0%→3.2%, p = 0.007), whereas the RH-PAT index showed no significant change (1.7→1.6, p = 0.079). Peripheral blood flow velocity and mass in the hallux increased (p < 0.001). The LF/HF ratio rose during recovery, indicating transient sympathetic activation. A single Waon therapy session increased body temperature, reduced blood pressure, and improved peripheral circulation with relative sympathetic activation. Different responses were observed in FMD and PH-PAT, suggesting that the acute effects of Waon therapy may differ depending on the blood vessels affected.

Source: Institutional Repositories DataBase (IRDB)

Authors: Kayashima, Ryo, Abe, Shichiro, Kono, Kaori, Wada, Mayo, Toyoda, Shigeru

Institution: Dokkyo Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Award: A new evaluation index for peripheral circulatory failure in patients with chronic heart failure