Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30239008›Full record

SynthesisClinical cardiology2018

Effects of sauna bath on heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Miikka Källström, Inga Soveri, Jonas Oldgren, Jari Laukkanen, Tomoko Ichiki, Chuwa Tei, Mark Timmerman, Lars Berglund, Hans Hägglund

Open access · bronzeAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Clinical cardiology, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
1.5field-weighted citation impact, top 18% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 23 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 5 institutions in 4 countries.

Miikka KällströmDepartment of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Inga SoveriDepartment of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Jonas OldgrenUppsala Clinical Research Center and Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Jari LaukkanenFaculty of Sport and Health Sciences and Central Finland Health Care District, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Tomoko IchikiCardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Cardiology, International University of Health and Welfare, Rochester, Minnesota.
Chuwa TeiWaon Therapy Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
Mark TimmermanDepartment of Family Medicine, River Valley Clinic, Spring Green, Wisconsin.
Lars BerglundUppsala Clinical Research Center and Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Hans HägglundDepartment of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2101-4183
Uppsala University · SEJapan Research Institute · JPMayo Clinic · USSpring Valley Hospital · USUniversity of Eastern Finland · FI

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSauna bath has potential as a lifestyle treatment modality for heart failure (HF). It is important to analyze the current evidence to help suggest paths of future study and potential for clinical application. HYPOTHESIS: Sauna bath has a positive effect on HF patients.

methodsPubMed, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases were searched to identify randomized and nonrandomized controlled studies to compare effects of sauna bath with no sauna bath. Studies were searched for both infrared sauna bath and Finnish sauna bath. The strength of evidence was rated using a modified GRADE approach. Out of 1444 studies, nine met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Seven of these nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Only studies with infrared sauna bath met the inclusion criteria.

resultsIn the meta-analysis, exposure to an infrared sauna bath in 60°C for 15 minutes, followed by a 30-minute rest in warm environment, five times a week for 2 to 4 weeks, was associated with a significant reduction in B-type natriuretic peptide, cardiothoracic ratio, and an improvement in left-ventricular ejection fraction. There was no significant effect on left-ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left atrial diameter, systolic blood pressure, or diastolic blood pressure. The strength of evidence varied from moderate to insufficient.

conclusionInfrared sauna bath was associated with short-term improvement in cardiac function. More evidence is needed about long-term effects of sauna bath and the effects of a Finnish sauna on cardiovascular health among patients with HF or other cardiovascular diseases.

Indexed as

AgedBiomarkersFemaleHeart FailureHumansInfrared RaysMaleMiddle AgedNatriuretic Peptide, BrainRecovery of FunctionSteam BathStroke VolumeTreatment OutcomeVentricular Function, LeftBiomarkersNatriuretic Peptide, Brainheart failuresauna bathWaon therapy

Identifiers

PMID30239008
PMCPMC6489706
OpenAlexW2890644262

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.