Efficacy of Ḥammām-i-yābis (dry bath) in metabolic syndrome: a single arm, open-labelled clinical trial.

Abstract

This study intended to evaluate the efficacy of Ḥammām-i-yabis (dry bath) in metabolic syndrome as primary objective and perceived improvement and changes in quality of life as secondary objective. The study was designed as single arm, open-labelled, pre and post without control clinical trial comprising 30 diagnosed cases of metabolic syndrome belonging to 20-50 years of age of either sex. The enrolled patients were exposed to the dry heat of Ḥammām-i-yābis for 15min at a temperature of 60 degree centigrade on every third day for a duration of 30days (a total of 10 sittings). Objective parameters comprising systolic and diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference were assessed on every follow up, while other objective parameters (FBS, HDL and Serum Triglycerides) were assessed before and after the study. Significant statistical difference was observed in objective parameters. Two tailed paired Student's t-test, (for pre and post) and repeated measure ANOVA (for 0, 15th and 30th day) were used to find the significance of mean change in study parameters. No significant adverse change appeared in safety parameters. Ḥammām-i-yābis was found effective, safer, more feasible and less expensive regimenal modality for the patients of metabolic syndrome.