TITLE:
Effect of thermal therapy using hot water bottles on brain natriuretic peptide in chronic hemodialysis patients
AUTHORS:
Yoko Uchiyama-Tanaka
KEYWORDS:
BNP; Brain Natriuretic Peptide; Chronic Heart Failure; Chronic Kidney Disease; Hemodialysis; Hot Water Bottle Thermal Therapy
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.2,
February
28,
2013
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The use of repeated thermal therapy for improving
the symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) has been recently demonstrated.
Usually, thermal therapy requires an infrared dry sauna. However, it is
difficult for small clinics to acquire such an expensive and extensive
system. The author assessed the efficacy of its substitution with hot water
bottles. Moreover, there are no prior studies demonstrating the efficacy of
thermal therapy in hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure. Methods:
The author evaluated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in 98
hemodialysis patients in a clinic. A total of nine patients whose BNP levels
were more than 500 pg/mL agreed to be enrolled in this study and received
thermal therapy using hot water bottles. Results: Plasma BNP levels, a potential marker for CHF, tended to decrease
(891 ± 448 pg/mL to 680 ± 339 pg/mL), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.0845). The oral temperature
changed from 36.44℃± 0.45℃ to 37.04℃ ± 0.48℃ (+0.597℃, P