Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40229818›Full record

ArticleBMC research notes2025

A pilot study on the relationship between thermal habits, chronic inflammation, and arterial stiffness in young adults.

Masayo Nagai, Akiko Tanaka

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC research notes, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Effects of Bathtub Bathing and Sauna Practices on Cardiovascular and Systemic Health: A Narrative Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026
    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

2 authors.

Masayo NagaiSchool of Nursing and Rehabilitation Sciences, Showa Medical University, 1865 Tokaichibacho, Midiri-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8555, Japan. m-nagai@nr.showa-u.ac.jp.
Akiko TanakaSchool of Nursing and Rehabilitation Sciences, Showa Medical University, 1865 Tokaichibacho, Midiri-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8555, Japan.

Funding

Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) 22K17448
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveAtherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) progresses silently, highlighting the importance of early prevention. This pilot study aimed to examine the relationship between thermal habits-specifically hot-tub bathing-and biomarkers of chronic inflammation, as well as arterial stiffness in young adults.

resultsTwenty-five participants were included: 9 males (mean age: 21.78 ± 2.05 years) and 16 females (mean age: 21.0 ± 0.97 years). We assessed hot bathing habits and measured plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). IL-6 levels were significantly lower among habitual hot-tub bathers (p = 0.04 overall; p = 0.018 in females). In females, hsCRP tended to be lower with immersion bathing (p = 0.08). No significant differences were observed in hsCRP, HSP70, or baPWV in the overall, male, or female groups. In females, IL-6 negatively correlated with ABI (ρ = -0.543, p = 0.03), and baPWV negatively correlated with bathing duration (ρ = -0.562, p = 0.045). These findings suggest that habitual hot-tub bathing, a culturally embedded and easily implemented habit in Japan, may serve as a lifestyle intervention to reduce inflammation and support ASCVD prevention in young adults.

Indexed as

BathsInflammationVascular StiffnessAdultAnkle Brachial IndexAtherosclerosisBiomarkersChronic DiseaseC-Reactive ProteinFemaleHSP70 Heat-Shock ProteinsHumansInterleukin-6MalePilot ProjectsPulse Wave AnalysisBiomarkersC-Reactive ProteinHSP70 Heat-Shock ProteinsIL6 protein, humanInterleukin-6Atherosclerosis preventionBathing habitsChronic inflammationFomentationHabitual hot-tub bathingInterleukin-6 (IL-6)Skeletal muscleThermal habitsThermal stimulation

Identifiers

PMID40229818
PMCPMC11995562

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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.