Complementary therapies in medicine最新文献

{"title":"Clinical efficacy of chinese manual therapy for lumbar disc herniation: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"De-ta Chen ,&nbsp;Hai-xia Zhu ,&nbsp;Zi-jian Wan ,&nbsp;Tian-you Fan ,&nbsp;Jing-liang Gu ,&nbsp;Xin-hua Zhan ,&nbsp;Xiao-ping Sheng","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103285","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103285","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To systematically evaluate and meta-analyze the clinical efficacy of manual therapy for lumbar disc herniation (LDH), with emphasis on its effects on pain relief, functional recovery, and inflammatory modulation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive search of both Chinese and international databases was performed to identify 47 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of manual therapy for LDH. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18.0. Primary outcomes included clinical effectiveness, pain scores, functional measures assessed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Sensitivity analyses, publication bias assessment, and GRADE evidence grading were also performed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 4480 patients were included. Manual therapy was associated with superior clinical effectiveness (RR = 1.20, 95 % CI: 1.15–1.25), significant reductions in pain scores (SMD = 1.23, 95 % CI: 0.98–1.49), and improved functional outcomes (JOA SMD = 1.42, 95 % CI: 1.07–1.77; mean ODI reduction: 14.47 points). Limited evidence also suggested reductions in inflammatory markers, including TNF-α (SMD = 2.25), IL-1β (SMD = 1.45), and IL-6 (SMD = 0.66). Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness of the pooled results, while publication bias was minimal. According to GRADE, the certainty of evidence was moderate for pain relief and clinical effectiveness and low for other outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Manual therapy demonstrates consistent short-term benefits for patients with LDH across multiple domains, including pain, function, and inflammation. However, since most included trials were conducted in China and were of low-to-moderate methodological quality, the certainty of evidence should be considered moderate to low, and findings should be interpreted with caution. Further high-quality, multi-center international RCTs are warranted to strengthen the evidence base.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 103285"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145430602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of lumbar spinal manipulation on pain and quadriceps strength in patellofemoral pain syndrome: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Jinhee Won ,&nbsp;Yongwoo Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103301","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103301","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition associated with anterior knee pain and functional limitations. Conventional conservative approaches such as exercise and taping often provide inconsistent relief. Spinal manipulation, a manual therapy technique frequently used in complementary medicine, has demonstrated neurophysiological effects on pain modulation and motor control, but its application in PFPS remains underexplored.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of lumbar spinal manipulation on pain and quadriceps strength in individuals with PFPS.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Thirty participants with clinically diagnosed PFPS were randomly allocated to a lumbar spinal manipulation group (n = 15) or a placebo group (n = 15). Interventions were administered twice weekly for four weeks. Outcome measures included pressure pain threshold, knee joint position sense, dynamic balance (Y-balance test), and quadriceps strength, assessed pre- and post-intervention. Paired and independent t-tests were used for within- and between-group comparisons (p &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant within-group improvements were observed in all outcomes except proprioception at 60° in the manipulation group, and in all but proprioception in the placebo group (p &lt; 0.05). Compared to placebo, lumbar spinal manipulation resulted in significantly greater improvements in pain reduction and quadriceps muscle strength (p &lt; 0.05). No significant between-group differences were noted in proprioception or dynamic balance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Lumbar spinal manipulation appears to be an effective intervention for alleviating pain and enhancing quadriceps strength in patients with PFPS. Although its impact on proprioception and balance was limited, the findings support its clinical relevance in integrative management strategies for PFPS.</div></div><div><h3>Trial Registration</h3><div>Korea Clinical Trial Registry (KCT0010483)</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 103301"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145430582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy and safety of buccal acupuncture for pain management: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Liyang Guo ,&nbsp;Tianrui Jia ,&nbsp;Yuhan Yang ,&nbsp;Huagui Feng ,&nbsp;Ping Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103297","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103297","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of buccal acupuncture (BA) therapy for pain management through meta-analysis and systematic review.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic search was conducted across eight databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, etc) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of BA in pain management. The search timeframe encompassed records form each database’s inception through January 25, 2025. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was utilized to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 40 RCTs involving 3009 patients were included. Compared with the control intervention, BA improved the total effective rate [RR= 1.19, 95 %CI(1.13, 1.24), p &lt; 0.00001], reduced the incidence of adverse reactions [RR= 0.46, 95 %CI(0.37,0.57), p &lt; 0.00001] and showed a better effect on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) [SMD= -1.51, 95 %CI(-1.98, −1.04), p &lt; 0.00001] scores. The VAS was used to assess pain intensity, where higher values indicate greater pain severity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>BA demonstrates certain advantages over conventional acupuncture and pharmacotherapy in pain management, with benefits including a lower incidence of adverse reactions and superior pain relief. It may serve as an adjunctive therapy to conventional analgesic treatments in clinical practice. However, further validation through higher-quality, large-sample clinical RCTs is required.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 103297"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145430566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of seated Baduanjin training modalities on body composition, muscle strength, and gait parameters in older adults: A cluster-randomised controlled trial","authors":"Chia-Feng Chen ,&nbsp;Shu-Ching Chiu ,&nbsp;Ching- Kuei Chiang ,&nbsp;Yu-Wen Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103300","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103300","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and Objective</h3><div>The relationship between seated exercise frequency and physiological changes in older adults has received insufficient research attention. We examined how Baduanjin session frequency, Baduanjin instructional format, and low-intensity resistance training affect the body composition, muscle strength, and gait parameters of older adults.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A prospective, cluster-randomised, controlled, two-arm trial was conducted at day care centres for older adults in Taiwan over 12 weeks between May and September 2024. The experimental group received a multicomponent seated Baduanjin intervention which included online and in-person sessions and additional resistance training, whereas the control group completed only the online Baduanjin sessions. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Muscle strength of the upper and lower extremities was measured using handheld dynamometers. Gait parameters were evaluated using GaitUp wearable motion sensors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Linear mixed-effects analysis revealed significant between-group differences in grip strength, gait speed, cadence, and load ratio after 12 weeks (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). The experimental group maintained their functional abilities, whereas the control group experienced marked declines. No significant changes were observed in skeletal muscle index, body fat percentage, or isometric knee extensor force over the intervention period. Additionally, the foot-flat ratio significantly decreased in the experimental group (<em>p</em> = 0.004) but increased in the control group (<em>p</em> = 0.011); the between-group difference was significant (B = 5.28, 95 % confidence interval [2.14, 8.41], <em>p</em> = 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The multicomponent seated Baduanjin intervention was more effective than the once-weekly Baduanjin sessions in improving physical outcomes. Thus, Baduanjin is a safe, feasible, and beneficial. intervention for older adults. This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Registration No. NCT06550661) on 6 August 2024.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 103300"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145488188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The combined effect of myofascial release and hip strength training on iliotibial band syndrome: A preliminary randomized controlled trial","authors":"Ziwei Ming ,&nbsp;Gengxin Dong ,&nbsp;Liyu Luo ,&nbsp;Lei Yuan ,&nbsp;Yutang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To compare the short-term outcomes and maintenance effects of myofascial release therapy (MFR) combined with hip strength training versus hip strength training alone on pain, patellofemoral function, and iliotibial band (ITB) thickness in patients with iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS).</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Double-blind, randomized controlled trial.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>16 patients (mean age 22.2 ± 1.6 years) with ITBS randomly assigned to an experimental group (MFR combined with hip strength training, n = 8) or a control group (hip strength training alone, n = 8).</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>VAS and Kujala scale was measured at baseline, week 2, week 4 and week 8 during intervention. ITB thickness was measured at week 4.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The experimental group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in pain (VAS) at week 2 (mean difference = −1.25 cm, 95 % CI: [−2.10 cm, −0.40 cm]) and ITB thickness at week 4 (mean difference = −0.66 mm, 95 % CI: [−1.15 mm, −0.16 mm]) compared to the control group. However, no significant between-group differences were observed in Kujala scale at any follow-up time point (p &gt; 0.05 for all comparisons).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Preliminary evidence suggests MFR may accelerate early pain relief and ITB structural normalization when combined with hip strengthening. Future trials with larger samples,broader functional outcome measures, and longer follow-up are needed to confirm clinical relevance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 103274"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145408422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of mindfulness meditation on blood pressure and quality of life in patients with intradialytic hypertension during haemodialysis: A randomised controlled trial","authors":"Yongyao Wu ,&nbsp;Qiaojing Xia ,&nbsp;Yiyi Gao ,&nbsp;Chao Zhang ,&nbsp;Pengjie Xu ,&nbsp;Haojie Zhang ,&nbsp;Gao Chao ,&nbsp;Rizhen Yu ,&nbsp;Jiang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the effects of mindfulness meditation on blood pressure changes and quality of life in patients with intradialytic hypertension (IDH) during haemodialysis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This single-blind, randomised controlled trial involved 69 patients with IDH undergoing maintenance haemodialysis at Lihuili Hospital in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, between August and December 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 34) receiving mindfulness meditation and a control group (n = 35) receiving standard care. Blood pressure and quality of life were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>During haemodialysis, the intervention group exhibited significantly lower systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures, as well as pulse rate, than the control group (p &lt; 0.001). Quality of life, assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36, improved significantly in the intervention group across multiple dimensions, including physical function, role limitations due to physical problems, bodily pain, general health, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being and sleep (p &lt; 0.05). However, no significant improvement was observed in social function (p &gt; 0.05). Laboratory tests showed a significant reduction in serum homocysteine levels in the intervention group (p &lt; 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the intervention group (11.76 %) than in the control group (45.71 %, p &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Mindfulness meditation can effectively improve IDH in patients undergoing haemodialysis and substantially enhance their quality of life. As a non-pharmacological intervention, mindfulness meditation is safe and easy to implement, offering a new therapeutic option for patients with IDH.</div></div><div><h3>Trial Registration</h3><div>ISRCTN82788940, Registration date: 29/10/2024</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103245"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145085261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative efficacy of acupuncture-related interventions for perimenopausal depression and anxiety: A systematic review and frequentist meta-analysis","authors":"Lei Chen ,&nbsp;Kaiyin Wang ,&nbsp;Wenrui Huang ,&nbsp;XueLian Du","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103250","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Background&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different acupuncture-related interventions for perimenopausal depression and anxiety using a frequentist network meta-analysis, in order to identify the most effective treatment strategies.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Method&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We systematically searched Chinese and international databases for randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for perimenopausal depression and anxiety. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined PICOS criteria. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, and evaluation of evidence certainty using the CINeMA tool. A frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17.0. Mean differences were used for continuous outcomes and risk ratios for binary outcomes. Heterogeneity and consistency were assessed, and Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values were calculated to rank the comparative effectiveness of different acupuncture interventions.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Result&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;A total of 54 randomized controlled trials were included, involving 4406 participants. The included studies were predominantly of moderate quality, with few at low or high risk of bias. According to the CINeMA assessment, the certainty of evidence for most pairwise comparisons was rated as low to moderate. Acupuncture-related interventions showed superior efficacy to Western medicine in improving clinical response rates, depressive and anxiety symptoms, menopausal complaints, and hormone levels. For clinical response, the most effective interventions were manual acupuncture (MA) + Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) (RR = 1.52, 95 % CI: 1.12–2.08) and electroacupuncture (EA) + CHM (RR = 1.49, 95 % CI: 1.05–2.12). Regarding depressive symptoms measured by the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), EA + Western medicine (WM) (MD = –5.04, 95 % CI: –6.97 to –3.12) and MA + CHM (MD = –5.69, 95 % CI: –10.47 to –0.92) achieved the greatest reductions. For anxiety symptoms assessed by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), EA alone significantly reduced scores (MD = –8.40, 95 % CI: –14.31 to –2.49). On the Kupperman Index, MA + WM (MD = –5.37) and MA + CHM (MD = –5.00) were most effective. EA + WM also produced the largest improvement in Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores (MD = –9.10). Hormonally, MA + WM significantly increased estradiol (E2) levels (MD = 26.25), while both EA + WM and MA + CHM lowered follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. SUCRA analysis indicated that EA + WM and MA + CHM consistently ranked among the top treatments across most outcomes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;EA + WM and MA + CHM may be among the most effective acupuncture-based interventions for perimenopausal depression and anxiety. However, given the moderate quality of evidence, further high-quality trials are needed to confirm these findi","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103250"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145136795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “The need for increasing pediatric obesity advocacy.” [Volume 80 (2024) 1–2]","authors":"Eric M. Bomberg ,&nbsp;Theodore K. Kyle ,&nbsp;Fatima C. Stanford","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103267","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103267","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103267"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hot spring and sauna use for improving blood lipid profiles: A systematic review and expert consensus on efficacy and recommendations","authors":"Satoshi Yamasaki ,&nbsp;Tomotake Tokunou ,&nbsp;Yusuke Kashiwado ,&nbsp;Mari Makishi ,&nbsp;Takahiko Horiuchi","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103241","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103241","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Traditional treatments often focus on pharmacological interventions; however, alternative therapies, such as hot spring and sauna use, have recently gained attention because of their potentially beneficial effects on lipid profiles and cardiovascular health.</div></div><div><h3>Design and setting</h3><div>This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the efficacy of hot spring and sauna use, alone or combined with exercise therapy, in improving blood lipid profiles, with a focus on mechanisms, benefits, and limitations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search of 330 records across major databases identified 127 studies for blinded screening using Rayyan (a web-based application for conducting systematic reviews). Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of hot spring and sauna use on lipid profiles in adults were included.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Four RCTs in younger adults (mean age &lt; 60 years) demonstrated that hot spring and sauna use resulted in reductions in serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; these therapies were given a weak expert recommendation. Three RCTs in older adults (mean age ≥ 60 years) showed no significant blood lipid changes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In younger adults, hot spring and sauna use, particularly when combined with exercise therapy, may contribute to improved lipid profiles. Emerging evidence from intervention studies could inform future guidelines for integrating these therapies into dyslipidemia management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103241"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145005376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Short-term effects of arm baths on blood pressure in participants with arterial hypertension - a randomized crossover study","authors":"Elisabeth Reiter ,&nbsp;Roman Huber","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Hypertension is the predominant risk factor for premature cardiovascular disease, and contributes to heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and stroke. As of recently, scientists began to systematically investigate the vast physiological potential of hydrotherapy in individuals with cardiovascular disease. Hot baths in particular have been shown to transiently reduce arterial stiffness and to exert vasodilatory effects. Potentially beneficial in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, hot arm baths (HAB) have rarely been put to the test in randomized-controlled trials.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Based on the hypothesis that HAB may exert short-term blood pressure-lowering effects, a monocentric, randomized-controlled pilot study was performed in participants with arterial hypertension. In a crossover design, participants received a HAB with a temperature of 45 °C and a thermoneutral arm bath (TAB) with a temperature of 28 °C for five minutes each, with a post-interventional observation period of 90 min. Effects on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) as well as on heart rate (HR) and hand and foot temperature (HT, FT) were measured in close intervals (after 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 and 90 min). The washout period between both interventions was seven days.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>54 participants with uncontrolled hypertension were included to the study, of which four participants had to be excluded from the analysis because they did not show up for the second intervention. The mean age of the remaining 50 participants in group A und in group B were 61 and 62 years, respectively. The participants in both groups were slightly overweight (group A: BMI 25.2 kg/m², group B: BMI 27.1 kg/m²). The majority of participants in both groups took antihypertensive medication. Analysis revealed no carry-over effect. The analyses of treatment effects showed a significant decrease from baseline of DBP 5, 10 and 15 min after the HAB in comparison with the TAB. In addition, we found statistically significant differences of the two interventions in the changes from baseline of the HR after 1 and 5 min and HT after 1, 5, 10, 15 and 30. No major side effects were reported.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>HAB could be used as rapid-acting add-on tool in conjunction with pharmacotherapy to manage uncontrolled hypertension in various contexts at home.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103257"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145298412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}