ABSTRACT
Less than 0.5% of hot springs in Japan is natural carbonated hot springs. Therefore, the spread of artificial bicarbonate (CO2) water in Japan starts by developing the gas-permeable membrane. There are two methods to produce artificial CO2 water. The first is gas-permeable membrane method and the second is pressurizing stir method. Both are widespread. Because the gas-permeable membrane method is provided by stable concentration in medical treatment, generally the stirring methods spread because a price is cheap. There is a custom of whole body bathing in Japan from old days, and the CO2 warm water bathing has spread all over Japan in about ten years recently. The vasodilation effect can be caused by the CO2 in warm water of 41 degrees Celsius (approximately 1,000ppm: max saturation under conditions of atmospheric pressure), which is the temperature favored by Japanese people. This differs from the vasodilation caused by the nitric oxide (NO) by thermal, and the reason is thought to be the participation of hormone from a blood vessel endothelium such as prostaglandin E2. When CO2 penetrates from the epidermis and it reaches the dermis, it enhances the entering blood vessel to the capillary of the dermis. The blood vessel is enhanced according to the concentration of CO2. A wide capillary increases volume flow of blood, sends the tissue oxygen and nourishment, and accentuates the renewal of the skin. By the use of this mechanism, arteriosclerosis obliterans using the footbath and the pressure sore treatment in the medical, and cosmetics with CO2 water are widespread in the beauty industry in Japan. Moreover, a vasodilated vessel carries the febris easily from the warm water to the inside of the body, and raises the body temperature high early. Body temperature increases CO2 water 1.5 degrees Celsius, tap water 1.0 degrees Celsius by the warm water hole body bathing of 41 degrees Celsius 15 minutes from before bathing. This phenomenon of CO2 warm water raises the body temperature easier than the tap water, and works as a heat stress for the human body. It provides to increasing of the immunity (natural killer cell activities) and the heat shock protein (HSP) caused by this stress, and it consequentially enhances health promotion. In addition, using the bulla from unstable CO2 to clean the hair and the hair root and to improve the blood circulation of the scalp is becoming popular in Japanese hair salon. Though custom of the drinking CO2 water has been performed in Europe from long ago, it became popular in Japan several years ago, for the appetite increase with small and for the diet with large amount. These spread as one of the dieting methods of a woman from last 2 years. Japan is a country that can use the favor of high concentrate artificial CO2 warm water anywhere, for the development and the widespread of the high concentrated artificial CO2 producting apparatus.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To assess the quality of study reports on spa therapy based on randomized controlled trials by the spa therapy and balneotherapy checklist (SPAC), and to show the relationship between SPAC score and the characteristics of publication. Methods: We searched the following databases from 1990 up to September 30, 2013: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Ichushi Web, Global Health Library, the Western Pacific Region Index Medicus, Psyc INFO, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. We used the SPAC to assess the quality of reports on spa therapy and balneotherapy trials (SPAC) that was developed using the Delphi consensus method. Results: Fifty-one studies met all inclusion criteria. Forty studies (78%) were about “Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective”. The total SPAC score (full-mark; 19pts) was 10.8±2.3pts (mean±SD). The items for which a description was lacking (very poor; ＜50%) in many studies were as follows: “locations of spa facility where the data were collected”; “pH”; “scale of bathtub”; “presence of other facility and exposure than bathing (sauna, steam bath, etc.)”; “qualification and experience of care provider”; “Instructions about daily life” and “adherence”. We clarified that there was no relationship between the publish period, languages, and the impact factor (IF) for the SPAC score. Conclusion: In order to prevent flawed description, SPAC could provide indispensable information for researchers who are going to design a research protocol according to each disease.
ABSTRACT
Less than 0.5% of hot springs in Japan is natural carbonated hot springs.<BR> Therefore, the spread of artificial bicarbonate (CO<sub>2</sub>) water in Japan starts by developing the gas-permeable membrane.<BR> There are two methods to produce artificial CO<sub>2</sub> water. The first is gas-permeable membrane method and the second is pressurizing stir method. Both are widespread. Because the gas-permeable membrane method is provided by stable concentration in medical treatment, generally the stirring methods spread because a price is cheap.<BR> There is a custom of whole body bathing in Japan from old days, and the CO<sub>2</sub> warm water bathing has spread all over Japan in about ten years recently.<BR> The vasodilation effect can be caused by the CO<sub>2</sub> in warm water of 41 degrees Celsius (approximately 1,000ppm: max saturation under conditions of atmospheric pressure), which is the temperature favored by Japanese people. This differs from the vasodilation caused by the nitric oxide (NO) by thermal, and the reason is thought to be the participation of hormone from a blood vessel endothelium such as prostaglandin E2.<BR> When CO<sub>2</sub> penetrates from the epidermis and it reaches the dermis, it enhances the entering blood vessel to the capillary of the dermis.<BR> The blood vessel is enhanced according to the concentration of CO<sub>2</sub>.<BR> A wide capillary increases volume flow of blood, sends the tissue oxygen and nourishment, and accentuates the renewal of the skin.<BR> By the use of this mechanism, arteriosclerosis obliterans using the footbath and the pressure sore treatment in the medical, and cosmetics with CO<sub>2</sub> water are widespread in the beauty industry in Japan.<BR> Moreover, a vasodilated vessel carries the febris easily from the warm water to the inside of the body, and raises the body temperature high early. <BR> Body temperature increases CO<sub>2</sub> water 1.5 degrees Celsius, tap water 1.0 degrees Celsius by the warm water hole body bathing of 41 degrees Celsius 15 minutes from before bathing.<BR> This phenomenon of CO<sub>2</sub> warm water raises the body temperature easier than the tap water, and works as a heat stress for the human body.<BR> It provides to increasing of the immunity (natural killer cell activities) and the heat shock protein (HSP) caused by this stress, and it consequentially enhances health promotion.<BR> In addition, using the bulla from unstable CO<sub>2</sub> to clean the hair and the hair root and to improve the blood circulation of the scalp is becoming popular in Japanese hair salon.<BR>Though custom of the drinking CO<sub>2</sub> water has been performed in Europe from long ago, it became popular in Japan several years ago, for the appetite increase with small and for the diet with large amount. These spread as one of the dieting methods of a woman from last 2 years.<BR> Japan is a country that can use the favor of high concentrate artificial CO<sub>2</sub> warm water anywhere, for the development and the widespread of the high concentrated artificial CO<sub>2</sub> producting apparatus.
ABSTRACT
<b>Objecti</b><b>ves:</b> To assess the quality of study reports on spa therapy based on randomized controlled trials by the spa therapy and balneotherapy checklist (SPAC), and to show the relationship between SPAC score and the characteristics of publication.<BR><b>Methods:</b> We searched the following databases from 1990 up to September 30, 2013: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Ichushi Web, Global Health Library, the Western Pacific Region Index Medicus, Psyc INFO, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. We used the SPAC to assess the quality of reports on spa therapy and balneotherapy trials (SPAC) that was developed using the Delphi consensus method.<BR><b>Results: </b>Fifty-one studies met all inclusion criteria. Forty studies (78%) were about “Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective”. The total SPAC score (full-mark; 19pts) was 10.8±2.3pts (mean±SD). The items for which a description was lacking (very poor; ＜50%) in many studies were as follows: “locations of spa facility where the data were collected”; “pH”; “scale of bathtub”; “presence of other facility and exposure than bathing (sauna, steam bath, etc.)”; “qualification and experience of care provider”; “Instructions about daily life” and “adherence”. We clarified that there was no relationship between the publish period, languages, and the impact factor (IF) for the SPAC score.<BR><b>Conclusion:</b> In order to prevent flawed description, SPAC could provide indispensable information for researchers who are going to design a research protocol according to each disease.
ABSTRACT
Hot sprigs elements and balneological effects of Tokyo 23 wards, which is not recognized as hot spring region were considered. The density of the hot spring’s source in this region is high compared to other parts of the country. Moreover, a useful element and temperature for the balneological treatment was confirmed by the hot springs with deep digging in a lot of places. The hot springs in Tokyo can be classified into the NaCl strong salt hot springs, NaHCO3, and the sodium metasilicates. The strong Na-Cl (salt) springs are recognized in hot springs found by deep digging, and exists everywhere in Tokyo. The hot springs of the NaHCO3 are localized in Ohta ward by moderate depth digging. The hot springs including with the rich sodium metasilicates in Ohta ward by shallow digging. If the hot springs in Tokyo are to be used the balneologically, the following effects are expected. Thermal and warm keeping effects can be expected from the strong Na-Cl (salt) springs. Cleanness and smoothing effects of the skin can be expected of NaHCO3. Hyperkeratosis of the skin can be expected from rich sodium metasilicates.
ABSTRACT
Hot sprigs elements and balneological effects of Tokyo 23 wards, which is not recognized as hot spring region were considered. The density of the hot spring’s source in this region is high compared to other parts of the country. Moreover, a useful element and temperature for the balneological treatment was confirmed by the hot springs with deep digging in a lot of places.<br> The hot springs in Tokyo can be classified into the NaCl strong salt hot springs, NaHCO<SUB>3</SUB>, and the sodium metasilicates. The strong Na-Cl (salt) springs are recognized in hot springs found by deep digging, and exists everywhere in Tokyo. The hot springs of the NaHCO<SUB>3</SUB> are localized in Ohta ward by moderate depth digging. The hot springs including with the rich sodium metasilicates in Ohta ward by shallow digging.<br>If the hot springs in Tokyo are to be used the balneologically, the following effects are expected.<br> Thermal and warm keeping effects can be expected from the strong Na-Cl (salt) springs. Cleanness and smoothing effects of the skin can be expected of NaHCO<SUB>3</SUB>. Hyperkeratosis of the skin can be expected from rich sodium metasilicates.
ABSTRACT
In order to know the lower-limb muscle activities in water walking, we measured the lower-limb muscle activities in forward, backward, and lateral walking on land and in water for 5 healthy females and studied to compare their muscle activities.<BR>1. Free walking in water was greatly influenced by buoyancy than by viscosity resistance of water, and the activities of most muscles measured in all walking patterns were equivalent to those of free walking on land or decreased.<BR>2. Because labored walking in water obtains muscle propulsion compared to free walking on land, the amount of activity of all muscles except the middle gluteal muscle and the gastrocnemial muscle in forward walking and that of the adducent muscle group of the hip joint and the long head of biceps femoris muscle in backward walking and lateral walking significantly increased compared to those of free walking on land. A detailed analysis of the study indicated the possibility of selective muscle training such as labored backward walking in water for the long head of biceps femoris muscle and labored lateral walking in water for the adducent muscle group of the hip joint.
ABSTRACT
Ginseng powder was dissolved in the warm water to develop bath salt that contained Ginseng powder (250mg: 1% Ginseng powder, 500mg: 2% Ginseng powder) and it made comparative study of the effects with the tap warm water for seven healthy adults (male 3, female 4, 20.7±0.8 years old). The Ginseng powder of 250mg and 500mg was made so that the bath salt of 25g may become 1% and 2%. The whole body immersion of 15 minutes was done to all subjects under the condition that 1% or 2% cannot be distinguished without tap water bathing.<br>As a result, the warm water with Ginseng powder increased in the changes of the deep thermometer in front of chest between immersion and after bathing, compared with the tap warm water. But there were not significant change of the surface skin temperature on the arm and the tissue blood flow on thigh skin.<br>Therefore, the warm water with Ginseng powder was suspected that the thermo effects and the retaining warmth were good compared with the tap warm water.<br>It seemed that it was possible to use it safely as bath salt for it did not change of the blood pressure, the heart rate, and abnormality of the skin without the case to whom the skin had temporarily flushed, was not additionally recognized.
ABSTRACT
HSP70 is a kind of stress protein that takes care of protein through its life, and it has attracted attention as a factor to promote health. This protein is known for its induction route through hyperthermia stimulation. We compared differences between the effects of carbonic warm water bathing and tap warm water bathing, and the report obtained interesting results. The subjects are six healthy adults (average age: 23.8±5.5 years, each three from males and females), applied full immersion bathing at 41°C for 10min in both ca. 1, 000ppm of high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> warm water and tap warm water, and compared HSP70 before the bathing and one day after the bathing. During the observation of 24h, external thermal stimulation such as warm bathing was banned. 3 persons took warm bathing in CO<sub>2</sub> water first and the other 3 persons took tap water first. There was 10 days interval between the bathing in both types of bathing.<br>The results showed that an increase in precordial temperature measured with a deep-body thermometer was 1.0°C in tap warm water bathing and 2.3°C in CO<sub>2</sub> warm water bathing. The change in HSP70 was 3.31→4.35 (AU/mg protein: p=0.08) in tap warm water bathing and 3.42→5.04 (p<0.05) in CO<sub>2</sub> warm water bathing. Although a slight increase was recognized in tap warm water bathing, a significant increase in HSP70 was recognized in CO<sub>2</sub> warm water bathing.
ABSTRACT
The Salt Lake mineral was dissolved in the warm water to develop bath salt that contained the Salt Lake mineral with the element of seawater, and we made comparative study of the effects with the tap warm water for five healthy adults.<br>As a result, the warm water with the Salt Lake mineral increased in the changes of the surface skin temperature in the forehead, the deep thermometer in front of chest and the tissue blood flow of thigh skin compared to the tap warm water.<br>Therefore, the warm water with the Salt Lake mineral was suspected that the thermo effects was good compared to the tap warm water.<br>It seemed that it was possible to use it safely as bath salt, for it did not change the blood pressure, the heart rate, the oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide exhaust. Also, the abnormality of the skin was not additionally recognized.
ABSTRACT
We evaluated the effects of SCP bathing on the body by compared with those of a-EG, one of major component of SCP, bathing and the control bathing with tap water alone. Healthy adults were used as the subjects. The effects of bathing on blood pressure and pulse rate were not significantly different among the three bathings, indicating that effects of SCP and α-EG bathing on the lung and heart were similar to those of an ordinary bathing. The surface skin temperature at the forehead decreased more slowly in the subjects after taking a SCP bathing than the other two, suggesting that SCP has temperature holding effects. Also, the results of deep body temperature suggested that α-EG might be related to the heat absorbing effects of SCP bathing, which were significantly marked than those of the other two bathings. The present results regarding the changes in blood flow and deep body temperature during bathing suggest that SCP might produce an environment that allows more rapid heat transfer from bath water to the body and less releasing it from the body. Therefore, we concluded that some component other than α-ethylglucoside would be involved in the heat transfer and moisturizing during SCP bathing. Measurement of skin water content indicated that a region directly contacting with hot water was moisturized in a short time, but this condition quickly returned to the pre-bath condition. Whereas, for regions not contacting with bath water, the skin was much more moisturized by taking SCP bath than the other two bathings. Therefore, it was concluded that SCP is effective for enhancement of skin moisturizing.
ABSTRACT
To investigate the scientific grounds for the effect of raspberry ketone bathing that is claimed to increase energy consumption by stimulating metabolism, a bathing experiment was conducted in 10 normal healthy adults.<br>As a result, no appreciable difference was detected among tap water, CO<sub>2</sub>-enriched water and raspberry water in respect to blood pressure, pulse rate and depth thermometer readings, which suggested that bathing in warm raspberry water was safe, producing no marked load on the cardiovascular system. Changes in the skin surface temperature indicated slow elevation of body temperature, from which bathing in warm raspberry water was considered to produce no marked load on the body even if bathing lasted relatively long as compared with bathing in warm tap water or CO<sub>2</sub>-enriched warm water. From the skin tissue blood flow data, it seemed likely that the increase in blood flow caused by bathing in warm raspberry water was produced, not by vasodilatation as in CO<sub>2</sub>-enriched warm water bathing, but by such mechanisms as acceleration of metabolism. Data on insulin suggested that bathing in warm raspberry water affected the carbohydrate metabolism as compared with that in warm tap water or CO<sub>2</sub>-enriched warm water. Since there was no difference among warm water groups in changes in the adrenocortical hormone “cortisol”, raspberry ketone bathing was considered not to have specific activity. Data on NK cell activity showed that bathing in warm raspberry water produced no appreciable effect on the immune system. It was suggested that measurement of β-endorphin should be performed after adjustment of psychological environments.<br>The results of expiration air analysis also indicated that, while bathing in CO<sub>2</sub>-enriched warm water was related to changes in the cardiovascular system, bathing in warm raspberry ketone water produced no appreciable load on the cardiovascular system but consumed energy through acceleration of metabolic activities.
ABSTRACT
A comparative study was made on bathing-induced changes in body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and tissue blood flow of 12 healthy adults using tap water and artificial CO<sub>2</sub> water at 37°C to clarify the physiological effects of CO<sub>2</sub> at various concentrations of 0, 100, 300, 600, 800 and 1000ppm. There was no change in body temperature during bathing in either water, whereas blood pressure and pulse rate were similarly decreased during bathing, but either of these decreases was not significantly different between tap water and CO<sub>2</sub>-water. Therefore, it seemed that the decrease in blood pressure due to vasodilation during bathing would be controlled through some regulatory system like autonomic nerve system not so as to result in too much decrease. But, tissue blood flow was more increased during bathing in CO<sub>2</sub>-water than tap water, suggesting that blood circulation in the tissue near skin surface would have been more enhanced by bathing in hot CO<sub>2</sub>-water, resulting in a decrease of blood pressure.<br>Since the increase in tissue blood flow during bathing was dependent on the concentration of CO<sub>2</sub>, it seemed that an improvement of tissue circulation and metabolism would have resulted from venous return increase associated to venous dilatation, one of dose-dependent CO<sub>2</sub> effects.
ABSTRACT
The ulcer of the foot induced by arteriosclerotic obstruction (ASO) is poor prognosis that often comes to amputation. In the meantime, the CO<sub>2</sub> warm water is reported with that it has the powerful vasodilator action. In this research, it was made that the effects for the foot ulcer using the high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> warm water bathing was examined to be a purpose.<br>The subjects are the 49 cases (average 66-years, male: female=20: 29) degree of Fontaine II-IV. We prepared high concentrated CO<sub>2</sub> warm water in approx. 1, 000ppm at 38— technically utilizing an artificial gas-permeable dialysis membrane (MRE-SPA, Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering Co., Ltd.). Using the partial bathing with this CO<sub>2</sub> warm water, the progress was observed on the improvement of foot ulcer in the bathing of 10min. as the period, and of 1-2time/day. In addition, the peripheral tissue bloodflow and the transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure in dorsum pedis during the warm water bathing were observed.<br>The obvious improvement on each case of ulcer was confirmed within several months. The peripheral tissue blood flow (before bathing 1.1±0.5<i>ml</i>/min/100g) was increased after 1min and it rose to 4.4±1.8 after 10min from the beginning to bathing (p<0.01). Afterwards, it immediately returned to the previous value after the end. In the meantime, though the transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure was 40.7±18.3mmHg prior to the bathing, it increases after 10min with 50.7±18.2mmHg (p<0.05), and it was maintained at 50.3±20.8mmHg in 20min after bathing (p<0.01). And, in each Fontaine groups it significantly increase with the peripheral tissue bloodflow and the transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure.<br>As a conclusion, the partial bathing of the foot with high concentration CO<sub>2</sub> warm water is effective as the therapy for the foot ulcer caused by ASO. The mechanism indicated that the rise of transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure and peripheral tissue bloodflow was concerned without relating to the seriousness of ASO.
ABSTRACT
Purpose<br>To investigate the effect of CO<sub>2</sub>-inhalation on the cerebral circulation of CVA patients during artificial CO<sub>2</sub>-bathing, controlled examinations were made with <sup>99m</sup>Tc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime SPECT (hereinafter abbreviated as HM-PAO-SPELT).<br>Subject and Methods<br>HM-PAO-SPECT was conducted on four CVA patients without CO<sub>2</sub>-inhalation as a control. 0.5g of artificial CO<sub>2</sub>-bath tablet (Kao Bub<sup>®</sup>) was them added to 2<i>l</i> of hot tapwater at 40°C to provide an ordinary bathing concentration. The patients inhaled the CO<sub>2</sub> generated for 3min at a height of 20cm above the water level, which was immediately followed by HM-PAO-SPECT. Similar examinations were performed at a higher bathing concentration provided by adding 50g of artificial CO<sub>2</sub>-bath tablet (Kao Bub<sup>®</sup>) to 2<i>l</i> of water. To compare results with systemic circulation, blood pressure and blood gas were measured before and after the CO<sub>2</sub>-inhalation.<br>Results<br>HM-PAO-SPECT showed a remarkable increase in blood flow in two of the four patients when 0.5g of artificial CO<sub>2</sub>-bath tablet was used to provide an ordinary bathing concentration. At a concentration 100 times higher than ordinary concentration using 50g of artificial CO<sub>2</sub>-bath tablet, obvious increase in blood flow was found in three of the patients. At both concentrations, the remaining patient showed a decrease on blood flow, with no change in blood pressure or blood gas.<br>Discussion<br>CO<sub>2</sub> is considered as one of the most potent factors involved in cerebral blood flow. In these examinations, the effect of CO<sub>2</sub>-inhalation from artificial CO<sub>2</sub>-bath tablet in increasing blood flow was confirmed by means of HM-PAO-SPECT. Its usefulness was thus proven. The subject who showed a decrease in blood flow may have been in a period of steal phenomenon, or luxury perfusion, when he underwent the examination. Future studies must be performed on the relationship between the increase in blood flow and the improvement of symptom, timing of artificial CO<sub>2</sub> bathing, and between the effect of artificial bathing and the CO<sub>2</sub> concentration.
ABSTRACT
The effect of the artificial CO<sub>2</sub>-bathing on the blood pressure in patients with Parkinson's disease with autonomic disorder was investigated and the conclusions were obtained as follows;<br>1. Regardless of the extent of the autonomic disorder and the contents in the bath, the slight increase in the blood pressure was observed immediatly after the bathing.<br>2. Systolic blood pressure within 100-150mmHg before the bathing decreased gradually during the bathing and the degree of the decrease was proportional to the extent of the autonomic disorder. The variation of the blood pressere during the bathing was within 30mmHg.<br>3. Furthermore, when the artificial CO<sub>2</sub>-bathing liquid was used, the decrease in the blood pressure after the bathing was salient in proportion to the extent of the autonomic disorder and it was observed that the restoration of the blood pressure to the level before the bathing was remarkably delayed compared with the tap water bathing. This phenomenon was similar in patient with Shy-Drager syndrome characterized by severe autonomic disorder.<br>4. From the above results, it was suggested that the close management of the blood pressure and the attention to the change of position are necessary during and after the artificial CO<sub>2</sub>-bathing in patient with Parkinson's disease with severe autonomic disorders and patients with Shy-Drager syndrome.
ABSTRACT
The therapeutic effect of artificial CO<sub>2</sub> pack on pressure sores of five patients with neurological diseases was confirmed using an infrared thermometer.<br>The artificial CO<sub>2</sub> pack was prepared by dissolving a 5-g KAO-BABU tablet in 250ml of water at 50°C.<br>It was proven that the pressure sore recovered faster after treatment with artificial CO<sub>2</sub> hot-pack than that with plain water hot-pack.<br>In addition, the skin temperature in the area around the pressure sore became lower than the temperature just before the treatment presumably because of the steal phenomenon of blood flow under the skin.