Effects of sauna on pulmonary function in mild intermittent asthma patients

Abstract

Background : Sauna can affect the cardiopulmonary system. Previous studies in people having problem with respiratory system have shown that sauna can change pulmonary function, but there few researches on the effects of sauna on mild intermittent asthma patients.

Objective : The purposes of this study were to compare the change of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) before and after sauna in mild intermittent asthma patients.

Setting : The Faculty of Associated Medical Science, Khon Kaen University

Design : Experimental Study

Method : The subject were 16 mild intermittent asthma patients. Their average age was 30.5 ±11.9 years old. All subjects had their FVC and FEV measured before and after a sauna experience.

Result : FVC were 3.3 ± 0.5 and 3.4 ± 0.6 liters and FEV 1 were 2.7 ± 0.6 and 2.8 ±0.7 liters, respectively. The results showed that FVC and FEV 1 before and after sauna had no significant difference (p = 0.58, p = 0.08), respectively.

Conclusion : If can be concluded that sauna cannot improve FVC and FEV . However, more research is required to establish these findings. Also, further research is need on long-term effects of sauna to pulmonary function.