Thermotherapy Research Articles

Acute and adaptive cardiovascular and metabolic effects of passive heat therapy or high-intensity interval training in patients with severe lower-limb osteoarthritis.

Exercise is painful and difficult to perform for patients with severe lower-limb osteoarthritis; consequently, reduced physical activity contributes to increased cardiometabolic disease risk. The aim of this study was to characterize the acute and adaptive cardiovascular and metabolic effects of two low or no impact therapies in patients with severe lower-limb osteoarthritis: passive heat therapy (Heat) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) utilizing primarily the unaffected limbs, compared to a control intervention of home-based exercise (Home). Participants completed up to 12 weeks of either Heat (20-30 min immersed in 40°C water followed by ~15-min light resistance exercise), HIIT (6-8 × 60-s intervals on a cross-trainer or arm ergometer at ~90-100% peak O2 ) or Home (~15-min light resistance exercise); all 3 sessions/week. Reductions in systolic (12 & 10 mm Hg), diastolic (7 & 4 mm Hg), and mean arterial (8 & 6 mm Hg) blood pressure (BP) were observed following one bout of Heat or HIIT exposure, lasting for the duration of the 20-min monitoring period. Across the interventions (i.e., 12 weeks), resting systolic BP and diastolic BP decreased with Heat (-9 & -4 mm Hg; p < 0.001) and HIIT (-7 & -3 mm Hg; p ≤ 0.011), but not Home (0 & 0 mm Hg; p ≥ 0.785). The systolic and diastolic BP responses to an acute exposure of Heat or HIIT in the first intervention session were moderately correlated with adaptive responses across the intervention (r ≥ 0.54, p ≤ 0.005). Neither intervention improved indices of glycemic control (p = 0.310). In summary, both Heat and HIIT induced potent immediate and adaptive hypotensive effects, and the acute response was moderately predictive of the long-term response.

Effect of Exercise Therapy, Electrical Therapy, and Heat Therapy on Hamstring Injury Pain Levels of SPFA Athlete

Hamstring muscle injuries often occur in athletes, especially in soccer, athletes who are injured on average experience pain in their muscles. Therefore, proper treatment can speed up the rehabilitation process for hamstring muscle injuries in the form of exercise therapy, electrical therapy, and heat therapy. This type of research is a quantitative experiment. Data collection techniques using Numeric Rating Scale sheet. Using purposive sampling which collected 30 people, namely soccer athletes from Safin Pati Football Academy aged 12-16 years. The data analysis technique used nonparametric statistical tests because the data distribution was not normal, namely using the Wilcoxon test. The results of this study obtained the lowest value for the calculation of the Numeric Rating Scale pretest was 3 and the highest value was 6 with an average of 4.7. The lowest value of the post-test Numeric Rating Scale calculation is 1 and the highest value is 3 with an average of 1.8. In the analysis test with the Wilcoxon test, a P-value of 0.000 was obtained. It can be said that p &lt; 0.05 which means that there is a difference in meaning between the calculation of the Numeric Rating Scale pretest and posttest or Ha is accepted. Conclusions from the results of research and discussion, it can be said that exercise therapy, electrical therapy, and heat therapy affect hamstring injuries in soccer athletes at the Safin Pati Football Academy.

The PHYSIOLOGY OF MENSTRUAL PAIN AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TECHNOLOGY-BASED PAIN MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

Dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain significantly affects the quality of life for many women, necessitating effective and non-invasive pain management strategies. This study systematically reviewed existing literature on the physiological causes of menstrual pain and the effectiveness of technology-based pain relief techniques. The review shows that menstrual pain is mainly regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis, with prostaglandins and inflammatory cytokines playing key roles. Also, stress and anxiety can amplify menstrual discomfort. It also uncovers several technology-based interventions for effective pain management, including Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), heat therapy, mobile apps, virtual reality (VR), and wearable tech. However, potential risks and limitations of these interventions, such as overreliance, data security, limited accessibility, varying effectiveness, cost, user acceptance, and lack of human contact, were also identified. Despite these limitations, technology-based pain management techniques represent promising non-invasive alternatives for managing menstrual discomfort. Additional high-quality research is needed to further validate the efficacy of these approaches and address potential risks.

Feasibility and pilot study of passive heat therapy on cardiovascular performance and laboratory values in older adults

BackgroundChronic heat therapy may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular function. These effects may be more pronounced in older adults. We performed a pilot feasibility study of repeated heat therapy sessions in a hot tub (40.5 °C) in older adults while wearing a noninvasive hemodynamic monitor. As part of the protocol, the volunteers underwent cardiovascular performance testing pre- and post-intervention.MethodsFifteen volunteers > 50 years old underwent 8–10 separate 45-min hot tub session over 14 days in this exploratory and mixed methods trial. The participants had maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and other cardiovascular data measured via exercise treadmill testing prior to and after all hot tub sessions. The participants also wore noninvasive fingertip volume clamp monitors while immerged in hot water that calculated systemic vascular resistance, heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac output in order to ascertain the feasibility and utility of this data. Other laboratory studies were obtained pre- and post-intervention. The protocol was determined feasible if the heat therapy and cardiovascular testing was completed by at least 90% (14/15 subjects). Feasibility of the noninvasive monitor was determined by the fidelity of the results. Secondary exploratory outcomes were analyzed for differences to identify if they are acceptable to include in an efficacy trial.ResultsAll participants completed the study protocol identifying the feasibility of the protocol. The noninvasive hemodynamic monitors successfully recorded cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, heart rate, and blood pressure with fidelity based on the analysis of recordings. In the secondary analyses, we found no difference in the pre- to post-intervention measurement of VO2 max but did find increased exercise duration following hot tub therapy compared with prior to the therapy (571 s versus 551 s).ConclusionsThe current pilot study protocol is feasible for the purpose of analyzing the effects of heat therapy and cardiovascular performance in older adults while wearing a noninvasive hemodynamic monitor and undergoing treadmill stress testing. Secondary analyses found increased exercise tolerance but no differences in VO2 max following heat sessions.

Multi-Channel Lanthanide Nanocomposites for Customized Synergistic Treatment of Orthotopic Multi-Tumor Cases.

Simultaneous photothermal ablation of multiple tumors is limited by unpredictable photo-induced apoptosis, caused by individual intratumoral differences. Here, a multi-channel lanthanide nanocomposite was used to achieve tailored synergistic treatment of multiple subcutaneous orthotopic tumors under non-uniform whole-body infrared irradiation prescription. The nanocomposite reduces intratumoral glutathione by simultaneously activating the fluorescence and photothermal channels. The fluorescence provides individual information on different tumors, allowing customized prescriptions to be made. This enables optimal induction of hyperthermia and dosage of chemo drugs, to ensure treatment efficacy, while avoiding overtherapy. With an accessional therapeutic laser system, customized synergistic treatment of subcutaneous orthotopic cancer cases with multiple tumors is possible with both high efficacy and minimized side effects.

Multi‐Channel Lanthanide Nanocomposites for Customized Synergistic Treatment of Orthotopic Multi‐Tumor Cases

AbstractSimultaneous photothermal ablation of multiple tumors is limited by unpredictable photo‐induced apoptosis, caused by individual intratumoral differences. Here, a multi‐channel lanthanide nanocomposite was used to achieve tailored synergistic treatment of multiple subcutaneous orthotopic tumors under non‐uniform whole‐body infrared irradiation prescription. The nanocomposite reduces intratumoral glutathione by simultaneously activating the fluorescence and photothermal channels. The fluorescence provides individual information on different tumors, allowing customized prescriptions to be made. This enables optimal induction of hyperthermia and dosage of chemo drugs, to ensure treatment efficacy, while avoiding overtherapy. With an accessional therapeutic laser system, customized synergistic treatment of subcutaneous orthotopic cancer cases with multiple tumors is possible with both high efficacy and minimized side effects.

Effect of home-based heat therapy on skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise in older adults

The arterial vasculature undergoes profound changes across the lifespan. This vascular aging manifests as structural (e.g., vascular rarefaction) and functional (e.g., endothelial dysfunction) maladaptations. These age-related maladaptations contribute to the hypo-perfusion of skeletal muscle during conditions that require an elevated blood supply and substrate delivery (e.g., exercise) by tipping the vasoactive balance in favor of vasoconstriction. Acute heat exposure increases body and tissue temperature, increases blood flow and shear stress throughout the arterial tree, and initiates a humoral response. Importantly, chronic exposure to these temperature-dependent stimuli may reverse age-related vascular dysfunction, thereby improving perfusion of active skeletal muscle (i.e., exercise hyperemia). However, the effect of chronic heat therapy on exercise hyperemia has never been explored. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that home-based heat therapy would increase skeletal muscle blood flow in older adults performing plantar flexion exercise. Six older adults (5 women; 67 ± 4 years) performed graded (5, 9, and 14 kg) unilateral dynamic plantar flexion exercise before (pre) and after (post) 8 weeks of home-based heat therapy. Each session of heat therapy required participants to immerse their lower legs ~33 cm into a heated (~ 42°C) and circulated water bath 4 days per week, for 45 min per session. Dynamic plantar flexion exercise was performed using a duty cycle of 1 s contraction and 2 s relaxation. Superficial femoral artery blood velocity and diameter were measured via Duplex ultrasonography and used to calculate the change in blood flow measured from baseline to each stage of exercise. Vascular conductance was calculated as flow/pressure. The change in leg blood flow during exercise was increased following heat therapy ( P = 0.08 for main effect of time), an effect that was mediated by augmented vascular conductance (5 kg: pre, Δ143 ± 89 ml/min/mmHg vs post, Δ188 ± 89 ml/min/mmHg; 9 kg: pre, Δ225 ± 89 ml/min/mmHg vs post, Δ234 ± 89 ml/min/mmHg; 14 kg: pre, Δ264 ± 89 ml/min/mmHg vs post, Δ290 ± 89 ml/min/mmHg; P = 0.07). Our preliminary data suggest that home-based heat therapy increases skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise in older adults, and may serve as a pragmatic intervention to improve exercise and functional capacity in this population. Supported by: American Heart Association TPA958179 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Effectiveness of heat and cold therapy in muscle spasm: A review

Muscle spasms are involuntary, prolonged hypertonicities of one or more muscles that are frequently accompanied by pain and irritability. Clinical therapists employ a variety of treatment modalities as well as manual therapy techniques to treat muscle spasm. Thermotherapy and cryotherapy are often valuable in the treatment of pain, inflammation, and muscle spasm. Knowledge of their unique indications and contraindications are essentials for the safe use of different modalities. Understanding the physiological consequences of heat and cold is necessary for selecting a method of application. The size of the area to be treated, convenience of application, affordability, and duration of application and depth of penetration are just a few of the variables that influence which thermal modality is selected. The major intention of this study is to identify the effectiveness of heat and cold therapy in reducing muscle spasm.

Effectiveness of manipulative therapy and heat therapy on pain reduction, increased range of motion and motion function in cases of low back pain

Effectiveness of manipulative therapy and heat therapy on pain reduction, increased range of motion and motion function in cases of low back pain

Finnish Sauna Bathing and Vascular Health of Adults with Coronary Artery Disease: a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Regular Finnish sauna use has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality. However, physiological mechanisms underlying this association remain unknown. Other forms of heat therapy have been shown to improve markers of vascular health in healthy young adults, middle-aged adults with cardiovascular risk factors, and older adults with chronic heart failure. It is unknown if Finnish sauna use elicits similar adaptations. HYPOTHESIS: This study determined if Finnish sauna bathing improves markers of vascular health in adults with coronary artery disease (CAD). We tested the primary hypothesis that 8 weeks of Finish sauna bathing improves peripheral endothelial function. Secondary hypotheses were that Finish sauna bathing improves peripheral microvascular function, central arterial stiffness and blood pressure. METHODS: Forty-one adults (62 ± 6 years, 29.0 ± 4.3 kg/m2, 33 men/8 women) with stable CAD and na&amp;iuml;ve to heat therapy were randomized to 8 weeks of Finnish sauna use (n=21, 4 sessions/week, 20-30 min/session) or control intervention (lifestyle maintenance, n=20). Peripheral endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, FMD), central arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity), total (area under the curve) and peak post-occlusion forearm reactive hyperemia, and blood pressure (automated auscultation) were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Brachial artery FMD changed from 4.09 ± 2.05% to 4.24 ± 2.70% in response to sauna bathing and from 4.00 ± 2.02% to 4.10 ± 2.10% in response to the control intervention (p for interaction = 0.95). The change in central arterial stiffness (p for interaction = 0.82), total reactive hyperemia (p for interaction = 0.07), systolic (p for interaction = 0.95) and diastolic (p for interaction = 0.29) blood pressure also did not differ between interventions. The change in peak reactive hyperemia differed between interventions (p for interaction = 0.05) due to a slight decrease in response to sauna bathing (3.03 ± 1.42 to 2.75 ± 1.18 ml/min/mmHg, p=0.76) relative to a slight increase in response to control (2.78 ± 0.98 to 3.24 ± 1.00 ml/min/mmHg, p=0.05). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that 4 sessions of Finnish sauna bathing per week for 8 weeks does not improve markers of vascular health in older adults with stable CAD. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Effectiveness of the combination of frirage massage and heat therapy to reduce the pain and increase range of motion of ancle after getting injury

Effectiveness of the combination of frirage massage and heat therapy to reduce the pain and increase range of motion of ancle after getting injury

Passive heat therapy improves cognitive and cerebrovascular function in healthy midlife and older adults

Fluid cognitive function (the domain of cognition most impaired in Alzheimer’s Disease) declines with aging, predisposing older adults to Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. Age-related cerebrovascular dysfunction contributes to cognitive decline by impairing brain blood flow such that there is chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, which has been linked to cognitive impairment. Increased oxidative stress and the resultant loss of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability likely play mechanistic roles in age-related cerebrovascular dysfunction. Passive heat therapy (i.e., regular heat exposure) improves peripheral vascular outcomes and reduces oxidative stress and, therefore, may also improve cognitive and cerebrovascular function. Purpose: To test the hypotheses that heat therapy would 1) improve fluid cognitive function, 2) increase total cerebral blood flow (tCBF), and 3) reduce cerebrovascular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increase NO bioavailability. Methods and results: Midlife and older (ML/O) adults (50+ years) were randomized to 8-10 weeks of passive heat therapy (via hot [40 °C] water immersion; 30 x 60-min sessions) or sham control (via thermoneutral [36 °C] water immersion; NCT03264508). The following preliminary results were collected at baseline (pre) and at the end (post) of the heat therapy or sham intervention (n=6-10/group). Fluid Cognition Composite scores, assessed using the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery, increased from 97± 3 (mean ± SEM) at baseline to 100± 3 at end-intervention (p=0.03) in subjects who underwent heat therapy, an improvement from the 42nd to 50th percentile of all U.S. adults, but there was no consistent change in sham subjects (p=0.16). tCBF, assessed via duplex ultrasonography of the vertebral and internal carotid arteries, increased from 766± 99 mL/min at baseline to 841± 123 mL/min after heat therapy (p=0.03), whereas there was no change following sham (pre: 723± 20 vs. post: 729± 26 mL/min; p=0.89). Cerebrovascular ROS production and NO bioavailability were assessed with fluorescent probes in vitro using human brain endothelial cells (HBECs; technical replicates n=24-29) cultured in hot (39 °C; to match in vivo body core temperature during heat therapy sessions) and standard (37 °C) conditions. HBECs cultured in hot conditions had lower basal ROS production (hot: 860± 7 AU vs. standard: 907± 5 AU; p&lt;0.01) and higher acetylcholine-stimulated NO production (hot: 1.5± 0.06 vs. standard: 1.3± 0.04 fold change in NO production; p=0.03). Conclusions: These results suggest that heat therapy can improve fluid cognition and brain blood flow in ML/O adults, possibly by reducing brain endothelial cell ROS production and increasing NO bioavailability. Heat therapy shows potential to protect cognitive performance in the domain most affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and improve cerebrovascular function in ML/O adults. NIH/NCATS UL1 TR002535; T32 AG000279; R01 AG073117 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Effects of heat therapy on skeletal muscle interstitial oxygenation and exercise tolerance in HFpEF rats

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) impairs skeletal muscle microvascular function and blood flow thereby reducing exercise tolerance. Limited therapies currently exist to restore physical capacity in HFpEF. Heat therapy has been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes and exercise tolerance in health and other diseases. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that chronic whole-body heat therapy would improve heart function and morphology, body composition, skeletal muscle interstitial oxygenation (PO2) and, therefore, exercise tolerance in a rodent model of HFpEF. METHODS: Male obese ZSF1 rats (5-6 mo) underwent either 8 weeks (6 days/wk) of heat therapy (HT; 39°C; n=10) or control (CON; 22°C; n=8) interventions. Exercise tolerance (treadmill tests to exhaustion), body composition (echoMRI) and heart function and morphology (echocardiography) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Spinotrapezius PO2 (phosphorescence quenching) was assessed post-intervention from rest to submaximal contractions (1 Hz, 5-7 V, 3 min). RESULTS: Repeated HT prevented the decline in the main outcome of exercise tolerance (PRE:424±17, POST:425±13 s; p&gt;0.05) observed in CON (PRE:444±24, POST:319±24 s; p&lt;0.05). Left ventricular mass was not different between groups over the study period (CON PRE:2.5±0.1, POST:2.6±0.1; HT PRE:2.4±0.1, POST:2.3±0.2 mg/g; p&gt;0.05). There were no differences in isovolumetric relaxation time after treatment (CON PRE:23±2, POST:24±1; HT PRE:21±1, POST:24±2 ms; p&gt;0.05). HT averted the decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (PRE:71.3±1.7, POST:73.7±2.3 %; p&gt;0.05) observed in CON (PRE:75.3±0.9, POST:67.9±4.0 %; p&lt;0.05). Total body mass increased in both groups during the 8 wk intervention period (CON PRE:564±8, POST:647±12; HT PRE:550±17, POST:631±18 g; p&lt;0.05). While total fat mass (normalized to body mass) was not different after CON (PRE:0.37±0.01, POST:0.38±0.01 g/mg; p&gt;0.05), it was reduced after HT (PRE:0.38±0.01; POST:0.35±0.01 g/mg; p&lt;0.05). Similarly, total lean mass was not different after CON (PRE:0.56±0.01, POST:0.56±0.01 g/mg; p&gt;0.05) but was increased after HT (PRE:0.56±0.01, POST:0.60±0.01 g/mg; p&lt;0.05). In addition, HT elevated the resting spinotrapezius PO2 (CON:15.9±1.4, HT:19.1±1.0 mmHg; p&lt;0.05) and improved (slowed) the overall speed of PO2 fall during muscle contractions (T63; CON:18±2, HT:23±1 s; p&lt;0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Repeated HT preserves left ventricular ejection fraction and exercise tolerance whilst improving body composition in rats with HFpEF. Moreover, HT enhances skeletal muscle interstitial PO2 from rest to submaximal contractions. Chronic whole-body HT promotes central and peripheral adaptations that impact positively exercise tolerance in a pre-clinical model of HFpEF. ACSM Doctoral Student Research Grant and Purdue University. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Effect of Mulligan’s Mobilization Versus Muscle Energy Technique on Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJDF) is about 15% to 30% identified in a patient with low back aches. This Study aimed to determine the effect of mulligan mobilization versus muscle energy technique on sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The study was a randomized controlled trial that involved 66 participants with SIJDF, after a thorough evaluation the participants were divided into three groups. In experimental group I (Mulligan's mobilization group (MMG)), participants underwent Mulligan mobilization for 20 minutes. The experimental group II (Muscle energy group (MEG)) participants underwent the muscle energy technique for 20 minutes, and the third group underwent moist heat therapy (moist heat group (MHG)) for 20 minutes. For all three groups, 10 minutes of exercise were taught to the patients. All the participants of the groups were included based on pre-determined selection criteria, and all were willing to participate in the Study. The outcome measures of Pain, functional disability, and kinesiophobia were measured by the Numerical pain scale, Oswestry disability index, and Tampa scale respectively. The result was computed using One-way ANOVA, showing significant differences between the three groups. When significant differences were obtained on ANOVA, further analysis was done using a post hoc test. The values for the outcomes are Pain was compared with MMG vs. MEG is 8.045 and the MMG vs. MHG is 4.022 and MMG vs. MEG is 12.07, on Oswestry disability index MEG vs. MHG 9.85, MMG vs. MHG is 2.23 and MMG vs. MEG is 12.08. For kinesiophobia, MMG vs. MEG is 20.25, MMG vs. MHG is 15.35, and MMG vs. MEG is 35.60. This Study concludes that Mulligan's mobilization is more effective in reducing pain, improving function, and kinesiophobia in SI joint dysfunction than the other two groups.

A comparison of passive heat treatment-induced vascular adaptations relative to exercise training

Epidemiological data indicate that repeated heat stress improves cardiovascular health, making passive heat therapy (PHT) a potential alternative for those unable to exercise. Few studies to date have examined the potential exercise mimetic effects in humans, and it is unclear how adaptations compare in magnitude to exercise training. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of 6 weeks of localized, muscle-focused PHT on resistance artery vascular function, exercise hemodynamics, and exercise performance relative to the adaptations observed following high-intensity aerobic exercise training focused on the same muscles. HYPOTHESIS: 6 weeks of PHT, applied through pulsed shortwave diathermy (2 hr, 3 days/week), would increase resistance artery function, improve exercise hemodynamics, and enhance exercise performance more than a sham treatment, but less than single-leg knee extension (KE) exercise training (EX; 40 min, 3 days/week). We also hypothesized that these functional adaptations would be accompanied by increased skeletal muscle capillarity. METHODS: We randomized 34 sedentary but otherwise healthy, young adults (ages 18–36; n = 17 female, 17 male) to receive PHT, EX, or sham heating sessions (SHAM; 2 hr, 3 days/week) over 6 weeks. Vascular function was determined through the blood flow response during both a passive leg movement (PLM) assessment and a knee extension graded exercise test (GXTmax). Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. RESULTS: Peak muscle treatment temperature was significantly different between all groups with PHT exhibiting a higher peak temperature (~40.80°C) than those in the EX (~37.75°C, P&lt;0.001) and SHAM groups (~36.10°C, P&lt;0.001). Peak blood flow during PLM increased to the same extent (P=0.625) in both the EX (~10.5% increase, P=0.009) and PHT groups (~8.5% increase, P=0.044); but tended to decrease in the SHAM group (P=0.087). KE peak flow increased in EX (~19%, P=0.005), but did not change in PHT (P=0.523) and decreased in SHAM (~7%, P=0.020). Peak vascular conductance during KE significantly increased by ~25% in EX (P=0.030) and PHT (P=0.012). KE peak power increased in EX by ~27% (P=0.001) but did not significantly change in PHT(P=0.175) and SHAM groups (P=0.111). EX, but not PHT or SHAM increased muscle capillary-to-fiber ratio (P = 0.0003), capillary density (P = 0.0428), and the Capillary to Fiber Perimeter Exchange Index (P = 0.0089). CONCLUSIONS: 6 weeks of localized PHT, when applied to young healthy individuals, improved resistance artery function at rest and during exercise to the same extent as exercise training. However, PHT did not lead to increased KE peak flow, microvascular remodeling, or improved exercise performance. Therefore, PHT mimics many, but not all the vascular benefits of exercise training. Further research is necessary to determine the mechanism by which 6 weeks of PHT led to improved vascular function at rest and during exercise. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Effect of capsular stretch on frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a chronic disabling disease of the shoulder. The management of the frozen shoulder are numerous, but the studies show their own limitation. Biomechanically, it was noted that the cause of the frozen shoulder is capsular tightness. However, previous studies are not explained this well. So, this study was designed to identify the effect of capsular stretch on a frozen shoulder. Study was conducted at the OPD of physiotherapy, Chettinad Super Specialist Hospital, Chennai. Two hundred and twenty participants were selected for the study. Screening was conducted for these participants, and eighty were recruited for the study. They were all randomly allocated into two groups, with twenty-five (25) in each. Group I, with 25 subjects,, was given capsular stretching for 15 minutes and moist heat therapy for 10 mins. Group II, with 25 subjects, was given general shoulder exercises for 15 minutes and moist heat therapy for 10 mins. All the subjects were taught with Codman’s pendular exercises as a home programme. Study was conducted for eight (8) weeks. The outcomes selected in this study are pain and range of motion (Abduction &amp; External rotation). This was assessed using a Numerical pain rating scale and Goniometer. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0. The NPR and ROM variables were examined using the unpaired ‘t’-test with the 0.05%. The result of the study shows that the ‘t’ value for the NPR is 20.25 ± 0.15 with p&lt; 0.05%, the Abduction range of motion is 15.6 ± 2.77, and External rotation is 15.04 ± 1.53. This indicates a marked difference obtained among Group I and Group II, as well as a substantial variation between the pre-intervention and post-intervention values. This study concluded that capsular stretching had significantly improved pain and shoulder range of motion more than shoulder exercises.

Literature Review: Terapi Komplementer untuk Mengurangi Nyeri Persalinan di Berbagai Negara

Labor pain is one of the most severe and can make it uncomfortable. If the problems of pain haven’t been resolved, it caused several symptoms such as anxiety, fear, and stress which can increase the intensity of the pain. This literature review aims to identify complementary therapies to reduce labor pain in various countries. The author searched articles in databases Google Scholar, Science Direct, Pubmed, and Cochrane. The criteria for articles in the form was quantitative research published in 2014-2019 with locations in various countries. The author reviews 6 articles on therapy complementary to reduce labor pain in various countries such as Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Brazil, and Indonesia. The author identified 7 complementary therapies used to reduce labor pain. This research used RCT (Randomized Controlled Trial) and quasi-experiment methods with VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) instruments. The methods such as breathing using lavender aromatherapy, music therapy, birth ball, heat therapy, cold therapy, acupressure, and hypnobirthing can be used. This therapeutic method is highly recommended to reduce pain and reduce anxiety during labor. In addition, this method has very few side effects and saves costs.

Sauna bathing, renal function and chronic kidney disease: cross-sectional and longitudinal findings from the KIHD study.

It is uncertain if passive heat therapies are associated with adverse renal outcomes. We sought to evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of the frequency of sauna bathing with renal function measures and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Baseline self-reported sauna bathing habits were assessed in 2071 men aged 42-61 years with normal kidney function. Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum levels of creatinine, potassium (K) and sodium (Na) were measured, with only 11-year measurements of K and Na 11 years in a random subset of participants due to logistical reasons. Study participants were followed up for CKD diagnosed using KDOQI guidelines, which were collected from the National Hospital Discharge Registry. The associations of frequency of sauna bathing with renal function measures were evaluated using regression analyses. Hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CIs) were estimated for CKD. There were no significant changes in baseline levels of estimated GFR, creatinine and Na comparing 4-7 sauna sessions/week vs 1 sauna session/week; there was a slight increase in K 0.05 mmol/l (95% CI, 0.00, 0.10; p=0.033). There were no significant changes in levels of serum K and Na at 11 years. After 25.7 years overall median follow-up, 188 CKD cases were recorded. Comparing 4-7 sauna sessions/week with 1 sauna session/week, there was no evidence of an association with CKD 0.84 (95% CI, 0.46-1.53; p=.56). Cross-sectional and longitudinal observational evidence suggests that frequent sauna bathing is not associated with impaired renal function or the future risk of CKD.

Hyperthermia alters neurobehavior by affecting cell proliferation and neuronal survival in young male rats

Maintenance of body temperature within physiological range is critical for the fetal and neonatal development. Hyperthermia is one of the most frequently encountered pediatric complaints and may cause neurological disorders due to neuronal injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of hyperthermia on behavioral alterations, neuronal survival, apoptosis, and cell proliferation in young male Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty-one 13-day-old rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 7 per group). Body temperature was increased to 39°C and 41°C in a hyperthermia induction chamber for 30 min, whereas the animals in control group were maintained at 36°C. Twenty-four hours after hyperthermia, animals were subjected to the open field test, elevated-O-maze test, and grip strength test to assess the locomotor activity, anxiety, and motor function. Neuronal survival, apoptosis, and cell proliferation were investigated in cortex, hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 regions, and corpus callosum (CC). Decreased locomotor activity and motor function and increased anxiety were observed in the hyperthermia groups, and these were more pronounced in the 41°C group. Neuronal survival was significantly decreased in DG, CA1, and CC in the hyperthermia groups (**p < 0.01). Apoptosis was significantly induced in cortex, DG, and CC of the animals exposed to heat (*p < 0.05). In addition, cell proliferation positivity decreased significantly only in DG and CC of the animals exposed to heat (*p < 0.05). Our results suggest that neurobehavioral deficits caused by hyperthermia may be due to the increased apoptosis and neuronal cell death and decreased cell proliferation in the brain of postnatal developing rats.

Disease Burden of Dysmenorrhea: Impact on Life Course Potential.

Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic condition among the female population and has a significant impact on life course potential. It has a widespread impact on a female's mental and physical well-being, with longstanding impairments on quality of life, personal relationships, and education and career attainment. Furthermore, untreated dysmenorrhea can lead to hyperalgesic priming, which predisposes to chronic pelvic pain. Primary dysmenorrhea is pain in the lower abdomen that occurs before or during menses and in the absence of pelvic pathology. One possible mechanism is endometrial inflammation and increased prostaglandin release, resulting in painful uterine contractions. Dysmenorrhea may also occur secondary to pelvic pathology, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or due to cyclic exacerbation of non-gynecologic pain conditions. A thorough patient evaluation is essential to differentiate between potential causes and guide management. Treatment must be tailored to individual patient symptoms. Pharmacologic management with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and/or combined hormonal contraceptives is most common. Heat therapy, exercise, vitamins and dietary supplements have limited evidence and can be offered for patients seeking non-pharmacologic adjunctive or alternative options. Greater awareness for both health-care providers and patients allows for early intervention to reduce impact on quality of life and life course potential.