ABSTRACT
<b>Introduction:</b> The health-related QOL is important for an index to prescribe health condition, but there is little analysis that what kind of bathing method the person whom this index has good performs. In this study, health-related QOL and habitual bathing was intended to clarify relationship, correlation. <BR><b>Methods: </b>The participants were 198 employees of a quasi-drug manufacturing company and their family members who could and cooperated in the present study. The study was conducted as a self-report survey from October 1-30, 2010, with questionnaires being distributed to and collected from subjects before and after this period.Participants were asked about their sex, age, bathing number of times in week, frequency of bath additive use in week, temperature of bathing, bathing duration, and water level when in the bath, health, and sleep quality. Health-Related Quality of Life was assessed using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36v2) , and self-rated health andquality of sleep were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).<BR><b>Results:</b> When I divided it at the average age concerning a bathing method and the age, there was much frequency of bathing per week in late debut as an entertainer 45 years old or older, and under 45 years old had a short bathing time, and water level when in the bath was shallow. The shallow tendency that water level when in the bath was observed in that level in female. Relationship SF-36v2 and bathing method, it was suggested that a Social functioning significantly (p<0.01) increases so that temperature of bathing was low, a Role physical significantly (p<0.05) increases so that there was much bathing number of times in week, a General health significantly (p<0.05) increases so that there was much frequency of use of bath additives per week. Each of subjective self-rated health, quality of sleep by VAS, it was good in conjunction with frequency of use of bath additives per week.<BR><b>Discussion:</b> This study applied to an authorized company employee, and there was a limit that the external validity was weak, but was related to General health, social functioning, Role physical and bathing method. The influence of bathing habits such as full-bath bathing and the use of bath additives on a person’s physical and psychological state as found by our study can be regarded as a way of maintaining health among those in the prime of life. Because our study uses a cross-sectional design, interpretation had a limit, and it was thought that a prospective study would be necessary in future.
ABSTRACT
<b>Purpose: </b>We have previously reported the physiological and biochemical effects of bath salts. In this study, we used bath additive containing artificial carbon dioxide and sodium chloride (S bath additive), and the acute effects of bathing once with S bath additive and chronic effects of daily bathing with S bath additive for 15 consecutive days were compared with the effects of bathing once in plain water. Improvement in 10 symptoms was investigated using a 5-point verbal rating scale (VRS).<BR><b>Methods:</b> Nine patients aged 51-82 years (mean, 66.6 years) with cold intolerance and lower leg pain were treated with balneotherapy. Whole-body bathing at 40°C was performed for 10 min daily (day 1, bathing in plain water; days 2-16, bathing with S bath additive). On days 1, 2, and 16, changes in patient’s subjective symptoms were evaluated using a VRS ranging from -1 to +3.<BR><b>Results:</b> Compared with bathing once in plain water, bathing once with S bath additive was improvement of coldness, body warmth, blood circulation promotion, limb warmth, lightness of foot, and coldness in limbs. Daily bathing with S bath additive for 15 days significantly improved all symptoms compared with bathing in plain water. A comparison between single and daily bathing with S bath additive showed that relieving fatigue and lumbago were significantly improved after consecutive bathing, demonstrating the benefits of long-term usage.<BR><b>Discussion: </b>Bathing once with S bath additive had acute effects on symptoms associated with peripheral circulation, such as coldness in limbs, body warmth, and limb warmth. Daily bathing with S bath additive improved bone- and joint-related symptoms, such as lumbago and shoulder stiffness, demonstrating that the chronic effects of S bath additive differ from the acute ones. These results are consistent with previous studies on natural hot springs which found that the efficacy of short-term treatment was distinct from that obtained after >2 weeks of treatment.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: We have previously reported the physiological and biochemical effects of bath salts. In this study, we used bath additive containing artificial carbon dioxide and sodium chloride (S bath additive), and the acute effects of bathing once with S bath additive and chronic effects of daily bathing with S bath additive for 15 consecutive days were compared with the effects of bathing once in plain water. Improvement in 10 symptoms was investigated using a 5-point verbal rating scale (VRS). Methods: Nine patients aged 51-82 years (mean, 66.6 years) with cold intolerance and lower leg pain were treated with balneotherapy. Whole-body bathing at 40°C was performed for 10 min daily (day 1, bathing in plain water; days 2-16, bathing with S bath additive). On days 1, 2, and 16, changes in patient’s subjective symptoms were evaluated using a VRS ranging from -1 to +3. Results: Compared with bathing once in plain water, bathing once with S bath additive was improvement of coldness, body warmth, blood circulation promotion, limb warmth, lightness of foot, and coldness in limbs. Daily bathing with S bath additive for 15 days significantly improved all symptoms compared with bathing in plain water. A comparison between single and daily bathing with S bath additive showed that relieving fatigue and lumbago were significantly improved after consecutive bathing, demonstrating the benefits of long-term usage. Discussion: Bathing once with S bath additive had acute effects on symptoms associated with peripheral circulation, such as coldness in limbs, body warmth, and limb warmth. Daily bathing with S bath additive improved bone- and joint-related symptoms, such as lumbago and shoulder stiffness, demonstrating that the chronic effects of S bath additive differ from the acute ones. These results are consistent with previous studies on natural hot springs which found that the efficacy of short-term treatment was distinct from that obtained after >2 weeks of treatment.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The health-related QOL is important for an index to prescribe health condition, but there is little analysis that what kind of bathing method the person whom this index has good performs. In this study, health-related QOL and habitual bathing was intended to clarify relationship, correlation. Methods: The participants were 198 employees of a quasi-drug manufacturing company and their family members who could and cooperated in the present study. The study was conducted as a self-report survey from October 1-30, 2010, with questionnaires being distributed to and collected from subjects before and after this period. Participants were asked about their sex, age, bathing number of times in week, frequency of bath additive use in week, temperature of bathing, bathing duration, and water level when in the bath, health, and sleep quality. Health-Related Quality of Life was assessed using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36v2) , and self-rated health and quality of sleep were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: When I divided it at the average age concerning a bathing method and the age, there was much frequency of bathing per week in late debut as an entertainer 45 years old or older, and under 45 years old had a short bathing time, and water level when in the bath was shallow. The shallow tendency that water level when in the bath was observed in that level in female. Relationship SF-36v2 and bathing method, it was suggested that a Social functioning significantly (p<0.01) increases so that temperature of bathing was low, a Role physical significantly (p<0.05) increases so that there was much bathing number of times in week, a General health significantly (p<0.05) increases so that there was much frequency of use of bath additives per week. Each of subjective self-rated health, quality of sleep by VAS, it was good in conjunction with frequency of use of bath additives per week. Discussion: This study applied to an authorized company employee, and there was a limit that the external validity was weak, but was related to General health, social functioning, Role physical and bathing method. The influence of bathing habits such as full-bath bathing and the use of bath additives on a person’s physical and psychological state as found by our study can be regarded as a way of maintaining health among those in the prime of life. Because our study uses a cross-sectional design, interpretation had a limit, and it was thought that a prospective study would be necessary in future.
ABSTRACT
<B>Background:</B> Bathing is an important behavior for keeping the body clean and is one of the habits of daily life. Among other things, bathing is regarded as a means of relieving fatigue, refreshing oneself, benefiting health, and improving sleep. As such it can be considered a health-maintaining activity. Apart from a previous study by the authors, there has been very little research on the relationship between home bathing habits and health.<br><B>Objective:</B> The aim of this study was, therefore, to clarify how physical and mental health relate to daily bathing in the home, particularly the habit of full bath immersion.<br><B>Method:</B> The participants were 198 employees of a quasi-drug manufacturing company and their family members who could and cooperated in the present study. The study was conducted as a self-report survey from October 1-30, 2010, with questionnaires being distributed to and collected from subjects before and after this period. Participants were asked about their sex, age, frequency of bathing per week, frequency of use of bath additives per week, temperature of bath water, bathing duration, and water level when in the bath, health, and sleep quality. Health was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) inventory, and self-rated health and quality of sleep were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).<br><B>Results:</B> Among bathing habits, the group with a high bath frequency had significantly low scores for tension-anxiety and depression-dejection mood scales, and significantly high self-rated health. In the present study, self-rated health and quality of sleep were significantly better in the group who frequently used bath additives. In the full bath group, Fatigue score was significantly low and self-rated health and quality of sleep scores were significantly high.<br><B>Discussion and Conclusion:</B> Taking a full bath frequently and frequent use of bath additives are bathing habits that increase physical and psychological health in the middle-aged.
ABSTRACT
Background: Bathing is an important behavior for keeping the body clean and is one of the habits of daily life. Among other things, bathing is regarded as a means of relieving fatigue, refreshing oneself, benefiting health, and improving sleep. As such it can be considered a health-maintaining activity. Apart from a previous study by the authors, there has been very little research on the relationship between home bathing habits and health. Objective: The aim of this study was, therefore, to clarify how physical and mental health relate to daily bathing in the home, particularly the habit of full bath immersion. Method: The participants were 198 employees of a quasi-drug manufacturing company and their family members who could and cooperated in the present study. The study was conducted as a self-report survey from October 1-30, 2010, with questionnaires being distributed to and collected from subjects before and after this period. Participants were asked about their sex, age, frequency of bathing per week, frequency of use of bath additives per week, temperature of bath water, bathing duration, and water level when in the bath, health, and sleep quality. Health was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) inventory, and self-rated health and quality of sleep were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: Among bathing habits, the group with a high bath frequency had significantly low scores for tension-anxiety and depression-dejection mood scales, and significantly high self-rated health. In the present study, self-rated health and quality of sleep were significantly better in the group who frequently used bath additives. In the full bath group, Fatigue score was significantly low and self-rated health and quality of sleep scores were significantly high. Discussion and Conclusion: Taking a full bath frequently and frequent use of bath additives are bathing habits that increase physical and psychological health in the middle-aged.