Article

We investigated the combined effects of repeated sauna therapy and
exercise training on subjective symptoms, cardiac function, daily activities and
ambulation capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: Fifty four
patients including 26 patients with repeated sauna therapy and exercise training
(combined therapy group) and 28 patients with repeated sauna therapy (monotherapy
group) participated in the study. Repeated sauna therapy and exercise training
were performed once a day, 5 days a week. Clinical symptoms, brain natriuretic
peptide concentration, cardiac functions evaluated by echocardiography, cardiac
size on chest radiography, Barthel Index (BI) and ambulation capacity were
examined and compared between the time of hospital admission and the time of
discharge. RESULTS: Both the groups showed significantly improved New York Heart
Association functional class, cardiothoracic ratio, brain natriuretic peptide
concentration, left ventricular ejection fraction, BI score and ambulation
capacity grade. The changes of New York Heart Association functional class, BI
score and ambulation capacity in the combined therapy group were a higher level
of statistical significance than those in monotherapy group. Notably, significant
between group difference was observed in the changes of BI score. CONCLUSIONS:
The addition of exercise training programs to repeated sauna therapy may be
efficient and effective for improvement of cardiac function and daily activities
for patients with chronic heart failure. Implications of Rehabilitation Repeated
sauna therapy is an effective means of improving cardiac, vascular function and
mental health in CHF patients. Exercise training is an effective means of
improving exercise capacity, thus improving ADL. Combination of repeated sauna
therapy and exercise training may be recommended as a comprehensive treatment to
improve cardiac function, ambulation capacity, and ADL in CHF patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS