Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review
Joint Authors
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2018, Issue 2018 (31 Dec. 2018), pp.1-30, 30 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2018-04-24
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
30
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Introduction.
Many health benefits are claimed by individuals and facilities promoting sauna bathing; however the medical evidence to support these claims is not well established.
This paper aims to systematically review recent research on the effects of repeated dry sauna interventions on human health.
Methods.
A systematic search was made of medical databases for studies reporting on the health effects of regular dry sauna bathing on humans from 2000 onwards.
Risk of bias was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines.
Results.
Forty clinical studies involving a total of 3855 participants met the inclusion criteria.
Only 13 studies were randomized controlled trials and most studies were small (n<40).
Reported outcome measures were heterogeneous with most studies reporting beneficial health effects.
Only one small study (n=10) reported an adverse health outcome of disrupted male spermatogenesis, demonstrated to be reversible when ceasing sauna activity.
Conclusions.
Regular dry sauna bathing has potential health benefits.
More data of higher quality is needed on the frequency and extent of adverse side effects.
Further study is also needed to determine the optimal frequency and duration of distinct types of sauna bathing for targeted health effects and the specific clinical populations who are most likely to benefit.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Hussain, Joy& Cohen, Marc. 2018. Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-30.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1154487
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Hussain, Joy& Cohen, Marc. Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2018 (2018), pp.1-30.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1154487
American Medical Association (AMA)
Hussain, Joy& Cohen, Marc. Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018. Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-30.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1154487
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1154487