Chie Nagahiro1. 1. Department of Health Sciences, Kyushu University School of Medicine.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Accidents during bathing is relatively common in Japan, and 85% or more proportion of those who suffered from such accidents were elderly. Most previous studies focused on the effects of low room temperature; a few studies focused on elderly. The present study examined the effect of relatively high room temperatures (20 degrees C and 27 degrees C) on circulatory dynamics and mood during bathing at 41 degrees C among the elderly. METHODS: A total of 14 elderly (6 men and 8 women, with average age of 70 years old) were asked to take a bath at 41 degrees C twice, i.e. at different room temperatures of 20 degrees C and 27 degrees C. The order of bathing at either room temperature was randomly assigned. Blood pressures, heart rate, pressure-rate products (PRP), oxygen saturations, tympanic temperatures, mood and thermal sensations were measured during bathing and thereafter and compared between the two room temperature conditions. RESULTS:1) Tympanic temperatures increased more prominently and blood pressure decreased more after bathing under room temperature of 27 degrees C than under that of 20 degrees C (P < 0.05). 2) Changes in mood or thermal sensations was not significantly different between the two room temperature conditions (P > 0.05). 3) Oxygen saturations tended to be lower after bathing under room temperature of 27 degrees C than under that of 20 degrees C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among the elderly, bathing at room temperatures of 20 degrees C and 27 degrees C were both considered as safe. Bathing at room temperature of 27 degrees C might have a beneficial effect in lowering blood pressure.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Accidents during bathing is relatively common in Japan, and 85% or more proportion of those who suffered from such accidents were elderly. Most previous studies focused on the effects of low room temperature; a few studies focused on elderly. The present study examined the effect of relatively high room temperatures (20 degrees C and 27 degrees C) on circulatory dynamics and mood during bathing at 41 degrees C among the elderly. METHODS: A total of 14 elderly (6 men and 8 women, with average age of 70 years old) were asked to take a bath at 41 degrees C twice, i.e. at different room temperatures of 20 degrees C and 27 degrees C. The order of bathing at either room temperature was randomly assigned. Blood pressures, heart rate, pressure-rate products (PRP), oxygen saturations, tympanic temperatures, mood and thermal sensations were measured during bathing and thereafter and compared between the two room temperature conditions. RESULTS: 1) Tympanic temperatures increased more prominently and blood pressure decreased more after bathing under room temperature of 27 degrees C than under that of 20 degrees C (P < 0.05). 2) Changes in mood or thermal sensations was not significantly different between the two room temperature conditions (P > 0.05). 3) Oxygen saturations tended to be lower after bathing under room temperature of 27 degrees C than under that of 20 degrees C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among the elderly, bathing at room temperatures of 20 degrees C and 27 degrees C were both considered as safe. Bathing at room temperature of 27 degrees C might have a beneficial effect in lowering blood pressure.