Application of warm water foot bath therapy for stage two hypertension clients in the family context

Hypertension is often regarded as a silent killer because the disease often causes no symptoms in the sufferers. This disease does not only need treatment, but family support is required to prevent and treat family members who are suffering. The objective of the study is to analyze the application of warm water for foot bath therapy to lower blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension. The design used is descriptive with case studies, through family nursing process. Monitoring of warm water foot bath was carried out for 3 days, before and after measuring the blood pressure Results: there was a decrease in blood pressure after 3 days of action. In family 1, the initial blood pressure was 160/90 mmHg, after 3 days of action it decreased to 145/85 mmHg. Family 2 before therapy 150/100 mmHg, decreased to 140/86 mmHg after soaking feet in warm water. The decrease in blood pressure observed in both families was more than 10 mmHg. The application of foot bath therapy using warm water which is carried out for 3 days, is effective in reducing blood pressure in hypertension cases. Suggestions are recommended for families and subjects to be able to apply independently warm water foot bath therapy and carry out routine blood pressure checks at the nearest healthcare facility.

Influence of Different Temperature Warm Bathing on Arterial Stiffness in Elderly Subjects / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  Purpose: Age-associated changes in arterial structure and function increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have found that the body temperature response might influence acute changes in arterial stiffness after exercise. However, the relationship between increased body temperature during warm bathing and arterial stiffness has not been clarified. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of increases in body temperature by bathing in warm water on arterial stiffness in elderly subjects.  Methods: Healthy elderly 8 subjects (8 males, mean age ± standard error: 61.1 ± 1.1 years) bathed in water at 35°C, 38°C, and 40°C for 15 min. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (aortic PWV) and femoral-ankle PWV (leg PWV), blood pressure, heart rate, and rectal temperature were measured at baseline and at 30 and 60 min after bathing, in a quiet and air-conditioned room at the same time in the morning.  Results: Rectal temperature was significantly increased at 30 and 60 min after bathing at 38°C and 40°C, whereas leg PWV significantly decreased. Heart rate significantly increased at 30 and 60 min after bathing at 40°C. Blood pressure did not change after bathing at any temperature.  Conclusion: The present study showed that leg PWV significantly decreased in elderly subjects after bathing at 40°C, but not at 35°C and 38°C. However the underlying mechanism of the decrease remains unknown and these effects might depend on increased body temperature. Thus, it is suggested that warm bathing might affect the decrease in leg arterial stiffness.

Influence of Different Temperature Warm Bathing on Arterial Stiffness in Elderly Subjects / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  Purpose: Age-associated changes in arterial structure and function increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have found that the body temperature response might influence acute changes in arterial stiffness after exercise. However, the relationship between increased body temperature during warm bathing and arterial stiffness has not been clarified. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of increases in body temperature by bathing in warm water on arterial stiffness in elderly subjects.  Methods: Healthy elderly 8 subjects (8 males, mean age ± standard error: 61.1 ± 1.1 years) bathed in water at 35°C, 38°C, and 40°C for 15 min. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (aortic PWV) and femoral-ankle PWV (leg PWV), blood pressure, heart rate, and rectal temperature were measured at baseline and at 30 and 60 min after bathing, in a quiet and air-conditioned room at the same time in the morning.  Results: Rectal temperature was significantly increased at 30 and 60 min after bathing at 38°C and 40°C, whereas leg PWV significantly decreased. Heart rate significantly increased at 30 and 60 min after bathing at 40°C. Blood pressure did not change after bathing at any temperature.  Conclusion: The present study showed that leg PWV significantly decreased in elderly subjects after bathing at 40°C, but not at 35°C and 38°C. However the underlying mechanism of the decrease remains unknown and these effects might depend on increased body temperature. Thus, it is suggested that warm bathing might affect the decrease in leg arterial stiffness.

Warm water infusion versus air insufflation in the application of difficult colonoscopy / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To explore the effects of warm water insufflation applied in difficult colonoscopy on its success rate, insertion time, operation difficulty level and tolerance of patients. Method 200 cases of the difficult defecation of non-narcotic colonoscopy, IBS and always has a history of pelvic/abdominal surgery patients, were randomly divided into warm water infusion group (experimental group) and traditional method of air insufflation group (control group), then compare the differences of the success rate of the two groups of patients, the insertion time and degree of tolerance in patients. Results All the patients completed the investigation in this study, neither bowel perforation nor other complications occurred. Experimental group success rate of the whole colon examination, the insertion time, the operator satisfaction and check again wishes were significantly higher than that of control group (P 0.05) in Polyp detection rate. Conclusion Warm water insufflation colonoscopy can effectively improve the tolerance and accelerating the colonoscopy in patients with difficult insertion process, improve work efficiency, and is an ideal method, which is worth of promoting.

NURSING OBSERVATION ON THE ANAL EXHAUST EFFECT IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH WARM WATER FOOT BATH AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY / 现代医院

Objective To observe the anal exhaust effect in patients treated with warm water foot bath after laparoscopic surgery.Methods 90 cases after laparoscopic surgery including renal cancer , renal cysts, epinephrine-tumor patients were randomly divided into A , B and C group.Nursing measures were given at 6 hours after operation. A group were treated with warm water feet bath ; B group received abdominal ring massage ; And C group were control group.Time of anal exhaust postoperatively was observed among the 3 groups.Results Anal exhaust time after oper-ation in A group was average (24.34 ±0.28) hours, which was significantly shorter than in B group (33.07 ±0.18) h and C group (37.90 ±0.19) h (p <0.01).Conclusion Warm water foot bath can promote the anal exsufflation rapidly, effectively after laparoscopic surgery in Urology patients , and has great significance helpful to early recovery .

Unsedated Colonoscopy: Experience from an Endoscopy Centre.

Aim and Objective: Colonoscopy is generally considered a painful procedure requiring sedation. Due to the high cost of sedation colonoscopy, coupled with the attendant morbidity and mortality, there is a general trend towards unsedated colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of unsedated colonoscopy on the success of caecal intubation, factors predictive of painful procedure and to compare with results elsewhere. Materials and Methods: Forty one consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy were recruited into this study. The study was carried out at a privately owned low-volume endoscopy centre: Gilead specialist hospital (GSH), Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria from January 2010 to December 2011. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the centre’s Research and Ethics Committee and all the patients gave their individual written consent. SPSS version 15.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA) was deployed for statistical analysis using the t-test for quantitative variables and χ2 test for qualitative variables. Differences were considered to be statistically significant if P value was less than 0.05. Results: The male: female ratio was 1.93:1. The mean age of the studied population was 53.20±9.53 years [age range from 30-71. The indications for colonoscopy were; lower gastrointestinal bleeding (41.5%), abdominal pain or discomfort (19.5%), diarrhea (12.2%), suspected cancer [Patients with history of GI bleeds, weight loss, recurrent diarrhoea and ileus (12.2%), constipation (7.3%) and routine examination (7.3%). Overall, caecal intubation was achieved in 70.7% of cases while in 29.3% caecal intubation was unsuccessful. With on demand analgesia, and exclusion of both cases of obstruction (tumors) and poor bowel preparations, caecal intubation rate rose to 94.3%. Causes of unsuccessful caecal intubation included: abdominal pain or discomfort (33.3%), bowel obstruction (25%), poor bowel preparation (16.7%), anxiety (6.6%) and obesity (8.3%). Colonoscopy findings were haemorrhoids (36.6%), polyps (17.1%), colorectal cancer (14.6%), arteriovenous malformations (7.3%), anal fissure (4.9%), inflammatory bowel disease (2.4%) and normal findings (17.1%). Bowel preparation was adjudged adequate in 80.5% (33/41) of the patients. Female gender and abdominal pain as indication for colonoscopy were found to be predictive for painful colonoscopy (p<0.05). Conclusion: Unsedated colonoscopy with on demand analgesia is advocated in resource poor countries to minimize the direct and indirect costs of colonoscopy. It is also recommended to minimize patient burden in screening and surveillance colonoscopy. Colonoscopists are advised to use the warm water (37°C) method in this setting as against the traditional air insufflations to achieve a high success rate of caecal intubation.

17-6Spread to medical and beauty industry of the artificial high-concentrate bicarbonate warm water in Japan, and the utility / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  Less than 0.5% of hot springs in Japan is natural carbonated hot springs.<BR>  Therefore, the spread of artificial bicarbonate (CO₂) water in Japan starts by developing the gas-permeable membrane.<BR>  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.<BR>  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.<BR>  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.<BR>  When CO₂ 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 CO₂.<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 CO₂ 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 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.<BR>  　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.<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 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.<BR>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.<BR>  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.

17-6 Spread to medical and beauty industry of the artificial high-concentrate bicarbonate warm water in Japan, and the utility / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  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.

Dormancy and germination characteristics of Nirtaria sibirica seeds / 中草药

Objective: To break the seed dormancy and improve the germination rate of the Nirtaria sibirica seeds. Methods: N. sibirica seeds were treated with soaking in warm water, storing with moisture sand, and immersing seed in H2SO4 (98%) and gibberellic acid (GA), then the germination rate, germination vigor, and germination peak period of the seeds were determined. Results: The germination rate and germination vigor were 30% and 10% under soaking in warm water. The seeds began to germinate on the day 7 and reached the germination peak on the day 10.The germination rate and germination vigor were 55.5% and 26.5% under storing with moisture sand for 37 d. The seeds began to germinate on the day 2 and reached the germination peak on the day 10.The germination rate and germination vigor were 86.8% and 60.3% under storing with moisture sand for 95 d. The seeds began to germinate on the day 2 and reached the germination peak on the day 7.The germination rate and germination vigor were both 90.0% under being treated with 98% H2SO4 for 2 h. The seeds began to germinate on the day 1 and reached the germination peak on the day 4.Seeds after being treated with 98% H2SO4 for 2 h were sowed on the dark medium of MS + 0.5 g/mL BA + 0.5 g/mL GA, and the germination rate and germination vigor both reached to 98.1%. The seeds began to germinate on the day 1 and reached the germination peak on the day 4. Conclusion: The dormancy of N. sibirica seeds is caused by hard seed vessels. The best way of breaking the seed dormancy is first treated with 98% H2SO4 for 2 h and then cultured in the dark medium of MS + 0.5 g/mL BA + 0.5 g/mL GA, which could effectively break the dormancy of hard seeds and reach a high germination rate.

Left Ventricular Function during and After Warm-water Immersion at 40°C in Elderly Subjects / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<B>Objective:</B> To assess LV function during and after warm-water immersion in elderly subjects. Concomitantly with aging, left ventricular (LV) diastolic function decreases. According to results of previous studies, warm-water immersion improves cardiac function in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, its effect in normal elderly is still unclear.<BR><B>Material and Methods:</B> To investigate the effect of acute warm-water immersion on LV function with Doppler echocardiography in elderly subjects, subjects underwent immersion in 40°C water to nipple level for 15 min.<BR><B>Results:</B> The stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) increased significantly during and after warm-water immersion. The ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow (E) and early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity (E’), an index LV of filling pressure, did not increase during or after immersion. Some LV diastolic function indexes such as E increased during immersion, but after immersion indexes of diastolic function were not different relative to before immersion.<BR><B>Conclusion:</B> These results suggest that LV diastolic function did not correspond to the increased systolic function in elderly subjects, so it might suggest that the LV contraction-relaxation coupling may be interrupted in elderly.

Comparative Study on the Effects of Health Promotion of Single Bathing and 200m Running / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<B>Purpose</B><br> The effects of10 min bathing at 41°C and 200 m/1.2min running inducing similar tachycardic response were examined comparatively on cardiovascular functions, blood gas and tissue metabolism, and peripheral blood compositions.<br><B>Subjects and Methods</B><br> The subjects examined were 13 healthy males (28.7±3.6 yrs). They kept rest for 30min before bathing and running study and measurements of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), sublingual temperature and skin blood flow and a indwellng catheter for blood sampling in cubital vein were performed. The subjects had 41°C bathing for 10 min and 200 m running/1.2 min (10km/hr) separately which induced the increase in heart rate by 30bpm in preliminary study. Measurements and blood sampling were done just after the loading (bathing or running) and 15min after the loading.<br><B>Results and Discussion</B><br> The increase in HR just after bathing and running were nearly the same level, 27 and 25 bpm, respectively. The increase in systolic BP after running was greater than that after bathing, and diastolic BP was significantly reduced after bathing from resting level. Sublingual temperature and skin blood flow were increased only after bathing suggesting the marked thermal vasodilation.<br> After bathing, venous pO<SUB>2</SUB> was significantly increased and pCO<SUB>2</SUB> was significantly decreased, and there were no significant changes in lactate and pyruvate level. On the contrary, after 200 m running, venous pO<SUB>2</SUB> was decreased and pCO<SUB>2</SUB> was increased, and blood lactate, pyruvate and P/L ratio were significantly increased. These changes show that bathing provides tissue full oxygenation and washout of CO<SUB>2</SUB> by increased blood supply without metabolic activation. After running, increased glycolysis in muscle and delayed oxidation by TCA cycle were suggested.<br> As the increase in WBC after bathing (+6%) and exercise (+22%) subsided very shortly., these changes might be explained by mixing perivascular flow enriched with leucocytes and central flow enriched with plasma due to increased circulation. Previous reports on the change of lymphocyte subsets after bathing and exercise should be examined from this viewpoint. The role of plasma concentration estimated from the changes in RBC and plasma protein was relatively low, around 2% by bathing and 4% by running.<br><B>Conclusion</B><br> Health promotion by bathing seems to be conducted through sufficient O<SUB>2</SUB> supply and washout of CO<SUB>2</SUB> by thermal vasodilation without metabolic activation. Health promotion by exercise is induced by strong activation of cardiovascular and muscle metabolic function. Combination of passive effects by bathing and active exercise will be favorable for balanced health promotion.

Left Ventricular Function during and After Warm-water Immersion at 40°C in Elderly Subjects / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Objective: To assess LV function during and after warm-water immersion in elderly subjects. Concomitantly with aging, left ventricular (LV) diastolic function decreases. According to results of previous studies, warm-water immersion improves cardiac function in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, its effect in normal elderly is still unclear. Material and Methods: To investigate the effect of acute warm-water immersion on LV function with Doppler echocardiography in elderly subjects, subjects underwent immersion in 40°C water to nipple level for 15 min. Results: The stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) increased significantly during and after warm-water immersion. The ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow (E) and early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity (E’), an index LV of filling pressure, did not increase during or after immersion. Some LV diastolic function indexes such as E increased during immersion, but after immersion indexes of diastolic function were not different relative to before immersion. Conclusion: These results suggest that LV diastolic function did not correspond to the increased systolic function in elderly subjects, so it might suggest that the LV contraction-relaxation coupling may be interrupted in elderly.

Comparative Study on the Effects of Health Promotion of Single Bathing and 200m Running / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Purpose  The effects of 10 min bathing at 41°C and 200 m/1.2min running inducing similar tachycardic response were examined comparatively on cardiovascular functions, blood gas and tissue metabolism, and peripheral blood compositions. Subjects and Methods  The subjects examined were 13 healthy males (28.7±3.6 yrs). They kept rest for 30min before bathing and running study and measurements of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), sublingual temperature and skin blood flow and a indwellng catheter for blood sampling in cubital vein were performed. The subjects had 41°C bathing for 10 min and 200 m running/1.2 min (10km/hr) separately which induced the increase in heart rate by 30bpm in preliminary study. Measurements and blood sampling were done just after the loading (bathing or running) and 15min after the loading. Results and Discussion  The increase in HR just after bathing and running were nearly the same level, 27 and 25 bpm, respectively. The increase in systolic BP after running was greater than that after bathing, and diastolic BP was significantly reduced after bathing from resting level. Sublingual temperature and skin blood flow were increased only after bathing suggesting the marked thermal vasodilation.  After bathing, venous pO2 was significantly increased and pCO2 was significantly decreased, and there were no significant changes in lactate and pyruvate level. On the contrary, after 200 m running, venous pO2 was decreased and pCO2 was increased, and blood lactate, pyruvate and P/L ratio were significantly increased. These changes show that bathing provides tissue full oxygenation and washout of CO2 by increased blood supply without metabolic activation. After running, increased glycolysis in muscle and delayed oxidation by TCA cycle were suggested.  As the increase in WBC after bathing (+6%) and exercise (+22%) subsided very shortly., these changes might be explained by mixing perivascular flow enriched with leucocytes and central flow enriched with plasma due to increased circulation. Previous reports on the change of lymphocyte subsets after bathing and exercise should be examined from this viewpoint. The role of plasma concentration estimated from the changes in RBC and plasma protein was relatively low, around 2% by bathing and 4% by running. Conclusion  Health promotion by bathing seems to be conducted through sufficient O2 supply and washout of CO2 by thermal vasodilation without metabolic activation. Health promotion by exercise is induced by strong activation of cardiovascular and muscle metabolic function. Combination of passive effects by bathing and active exercise will be favorable for balanced health promotion.

Avaliação da descontaminação fúngica de camomila [Chamomilla recutita (L. ) Rauschert] por meio de diferentes métodos caseiros em duas temperaturas / Evaluation of fungal decontamination of chamomile [Chamomilla recutita (L. ) Rauschert] through different home procedures at two temperatures

O aumento no consumo de plantas medicinais vem se transformando em problema de Saúde Pública, devido ao potencial de contaminação microbiana, principalmente por origem natural e condições inadequadas de uso e armazenamento. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a descontaminação fúngica de camomila [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert] através de diferentes processos caseiros (decocção, infusão, água morna). Foram analisadas 10 amostras de camomila, procedentes de diferentes estabelecimentos comerciais. Os resultados das análises microbiológicas indicaram redução da contaminação fúngica na maioria das amostras, porém não atingindo os índices considerados satisfatórios, o que evidencia a necessidade de medidas regulatórias e educacionais que garantam a qualidade destes produtos, desde a produção até a colheita.

The increase in the consumption of medicinal plants has become a Public Health problem due to potential microbiological contamination, especially due to their natural origin and inadequate conditions of use and storage. The present study aimed to evaluate the fungal decontamination of chamomile [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert] through different home procedures (decoction, infusion, warm water). Ten chamomile samples from different commercial establishments were analyzed. The results of microbiological analyses indicated a reduction in fungal contamination in most samples which, however, did not reach the indexes considered satisfactory, evidencing the need of regulatory and educational measures to guarantee the quality of these products, from production to harvest.

Effects of Bathing in Warm Water with Added Glycerin on Skin Conditions and Prevention of Skin Disorders in Patients with Severe Motor and Intellectual Disabilities / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Dry skin causes many skin disorders such as dry dermatitis. It requires a lot of time and medication to treat patients with skin disorder that cover a vast skin area. Although glycerin is a component of many skin care creams and cosmetics, there is no report regarding the effects of glycerin alone as a bathwater additive. We investigated the effects of bathing in warm water with added glycerin on skin conditions and the prevention of skin disorders in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities.<br>Two studies were conducted to analyze the effects of a glycerin+warm water bath (GWWB). In study 1, the skin conditions in a total of 18 subjects were compared between the glycerin group (G) and nonglycerin group (NG). In the G group, skin moisture, skin pH, and skin sebum were measured with a skin analyzer noninvasively at the forehead and precordial and lateral forearm after GWWB for approximately 6 months. Subjects in the 2 groups had bathed 2 times per week and were immersed in warm water at 40 to 41°C for 2 to 3min. In the G group, 250ml glycerin was added in a 14001 bathtub. In study 2, a total of 78 subjects were examined retrospectively; their medical records after GWWB for approximately 6 months were investigated to gain information regarding cutaneous diseases (number of diagnosis, drugs, areas affected with cutaneous diseases, and days of treatment) in order to compare the G and NG groups.<br>Skin moisture levels at forearm improved significantly (p<0.05) in the G group. The average skin moisture level in other areas was higher in the G group than in the NG group but without sig nificance. Skin sebum levels at the forehead improved significantly (p<0.05) in the G group. The number of diagnosis, drugs, and areas with cutaneous disease were significantly lower in the G group than in the NG group. Further, the average number of treatment days was lower in case of the G group than in case of the NG group but without significance.<br>The moisturizing effects are produced due to a thin film formed by glycerin after GWWB, especially in an area where there is friction between the skin and clothes. Skin sebum is also maintained due to glycerin-film formation.<br>It is possible that maintenance of skin moisture protects the skin from cutaneous diseases due to xerosis. In conclusion, these results indicate that GWWB maintains skin moisture and sebum and prevents skin disorders.

Effects of Whole Body Warm Water Immersion on Indocyanine Green (ICG) Excretion Test in Healthy Human / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Objective: Warm water immeresion (WWI) has been customary in Japan as useful thermal therapy. However, a comprehensive investigation of the effects of WWI on internal organs has never been undertaken. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of single WWI on indocyanine green (ICG) excretion in healthy humans. Subjects: 23 healthy males. (32.6±1.9 [mean±SEM] years) Methods: 1CG was administered intravenously (0.5mg/kg) to calculate excretion rate (ER). ICG injection was given before and after WWI (10min at 41°C). Sublingual temperature (ST), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and cardiac output (CO) were simultaneously measured by noninvasive methods. Results: Significant changes were observed after WWI. These included an increase in ST, HR, and CO and a decrease in systolic BP (p<0.01). ER significantly decreased from 0.210±0.015 to 0.168±0.009 (p<0.01). Front-back ratio of ICG-ER which was calculated in order to evaluate the effect of aging increased significantly with age (R=0.582, p<0.0001). Conclusion: These results indicate that although CO increased due to the vasodilating effects of WWI, hepatic blood flow decreased after WWI and its response reduced with age even in before middle age.

The Experimental Research on Heat Shock Pretreatment in Preventing Achilles Tendon's Enthesiopathy / 医学研究杂志

Objective The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevention of the enthesiopathy which was caused by the pretreatment of heat shock.Methods In this experiment,44 S.D male rats(weight ～100g)were randomly divided into the control group(7 rats),the exercise group(22rats)and the pretreatment group(15 rats).Both ankles of the rats from the pretreatment group were soaked in the warm water(about 42 degree centigrate)for 15 minutes.Then the rats from both pretreatment group and exercise group were stimulated by AC electronic current for 12 weeks.Results From the forth week,the highest jump and the number of the effective jump in the exercise group obviously decreased.In the pretreatment group there was no obvious change during the whole exercise course.Conclusions The pretreatment of heat shock could effectively prevent pathologic changes of enthesiopathy.Soaking the feet in warm water befer training could effectively prevent the athletes from Achilles tendon's enthesiopathy.

The Effects of Warm Water-Filled Bag on Body Temperature, FiO2, Respiration Rate, and Blood Sugar in High Risk Neonates / 아동간호학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of a warm water-filled bag on body temperature, Oxygen demand, respiratory rate and blood sugar in high risk neonates. METHOD: The infants were assigned to two groups, 16 in the experimental and 20 in the control group. Infants in the experimental group was received 40~42 degrees C warm water-filled bag therapy for 2 hours under radiant warmers. Infants in the control group were placed under the same kind of radiant warmers but without the warm water-filled bag. The following were measured every 30 minutes: rectal temperature, O2 demand (FiO2), and respiratory rate. Blood sugar was measured hourly. RESULT: Body temperatures increased significantly in the experimental group (P=0.0138), and there was a difference according to time (P=0.0001). Significant difference were found between the two groups for FiO2 (P=0.0180). There was no difference in respiratory rates between the two groups and rates according to time for the experimental group were also not significant (P=0.3569). No significant difference between two groups was found for blood sugar(P=0.2152), but there was a significant difference according to the times (P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: This results of this study indicate that a warm-filled bag is an effective means of resorting body temperature and reducing O2 demand in high risk neonates.

Effects of Cold and Warm Water Bathing of Hemiplegic Lower Limb on Its Isokinetic Muscle Strength / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Effects of cold and warm water bathing of hemiplegic lower limb on its isokinetic muscle strength were studied in 12 chronic stroke patients (9 males and 3 females, 53.3±14.2 yo, Ueda's grading 8.5±1.6 Grade).<br>Measurements of the isokinetic muscle strength of the knee flexion/extension were repeated three times; 1) after sitting for 10min at room temperature (21-22°C) as a control, 2) after cold water bathing (18°C) of hemiplegic lower limb for 5min, 3) after warm water bathing (41°C, 700ppm artificial CO₂ bath) of hemiplegic lower limb for 10min. The measurements were performed, using Cybex 6000 (Cybex international Co) at velocities of 60, 120, 180 and 240°/sec. Artificial CO₂ bath was prepared by dissolving Kao Babu (Kao Co) in 41°C warm water.<br>Peak torque of the knee flexions at any velocity decreased significantly after cold water bathing and imcreased after warm water bathing. Change in the maximum power and total work were similar to that of the peak torque. The muscle strength of the knee extension were not changed by neither cold nor warm water bathing.<br>The correlation coefficient between Ueda's Grade and its isokinetic muscle strength ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 and significantly improved after warm water bathing at velocity of 120 (°/second) in flexion. Warm water bathing might make it easy to exert their muscle strength at 120°/sec in flexion corresponding to their severity of their hemiplegia.<br>Regarding to the influence of spasticity, patients with no ankle clonus or pseudoclonus showed a tendency to increase in muscle strength of flexion and extension after warm water bathing. In patients with evident clonus, a tendency to decrease on extension and increase on flexion was seen after warm water bathing.<br>Further studies on the effects of warm water bathing of partial and full immersion in the treatment for spasticity of hemiplegic limb would contribute to stroke rehabilitation.

Heart Rate Variability during the Bathing in Still Water and Flowing Water / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

This study was conducted to assess the effects of bathing in still water and in flowing water on the heart rate variability. Eight healthy young males (age 20 to 28) bathed in still water at temperatures of 34°C, 38°C, and 41°C for 20 minutes each. The other eight healthy young males (age 22 to 28) bathed in flowing water at a temperature of 36°C for 30 minutes. Electrocardiograms were recorded before, during, and after the bathing. Subjects sat still for 20 minutes before bathing, and then bathed in water to the axilla in a sitting position. Subjects breathed freely during the experiment. Heart rate variability was estimated with the power spectral analysis using FFT. The power densities in the high frequency (0.15 to 0.50Hz) and low frequency (0.04 to 0.15Hz) areas as obtained from this frequency analysis (HF and LF) as well as the ratio of LF/HF were calculated, and HF was used as index of cardiac parasympathetic activity, LF as index of sympathetic activity with parasympathetic modulation, and LF/HF as index of sympathetic activity.<br>During bathing in still water at 34°C and 36°C, no significant change from the value before the bathing was found in heart rate, HF, LF, or LF/HF. HF and LF significantly decreased during the bathing in still water at 38°C and 41°C, LF/HF significantly increased during the bathing in still water at 38°C, During the bathing in still water at 41°C, we could not calculate LF/HF for many subjects because HF disappeared. During the bathing in water flowing at a moderate speed (1.0m/sec), LF/HF increased significantly. During the bathing in water flowing at a high speed (2.0m/sec), heart rate and LF/HF increased significantly while LF decreased significantly.<br>These results suggest that parasympathetic nervous activities are suppressed and sympathetic nervous activities are enhanced during bathing in still water at temperatures higher than the neutral temperature (34°C), and sympathetic nervous activity is enhanced during the bathing in flowing water at 36°C, However, the effects of respiration rate and tidal-volume on HF, and the validity of the HR variabilities as an index of autonomic nervous activities should be examined in further detail.