OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about the health benefits of far-infrared sauna (FIRS) use. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: A search of Web of Science, EBSCO, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid HealthSTAR, and EMBASE using the terms far-infrared and sauna, refined by limiting the search to studies of humans published in English, yielded 9 relevant papers (level I or level II evidence). MAIN MESSAGE: Far-infrared saunas are approved by the Canadian Standards Association and are sold to the public. The manufacturers claim numerous health benefits; however, the published evidence to substantiate these claims is limited. Four papers support the use of FIRS therapy for those with congestive heart failure and 5 papers support its use for those with coronary risk factors. CONCLUSION: There is limited moderate evidence supporting FIRS efficacy in normalizing blood pressure and treating congestive heart failure; fair evidence, from a single study, supporting FIRS therapy in chronic pain; weak evidence, from a single study, supporting FIRS therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome; weak evidence, from a single study, supporting FIRS therapy for obesity; and consistent fair evidence to refute claims regarding the role of FIRSs in cholesterol reduction.
OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about the health benefits of far-infrared sauna (FIRS) use. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: A search of Web of Science, EBSCO, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid HealthSTAR, and EMBASE using the terms far-infrared and sauna, refined by limiting the search to studies of humans published in English, yielded 9 relevant papers (level I or level II evidence). MAIN MESSAGE: Far-infrared saunas are approved by the Canadian Standards Association and are sold to the public. The manufacturers claim numerous health benefits; however, the published evidence to substantiate these claims is limited. Four papers support the use of FIRS therapy for those with congestive heart failure and 5 papers support its use for those with coronary risk factors. CONCLUSION: There is limited moderate evidence supporting FIRS efficacy in normalizing blood pressure and treating congestive heart failure; fair evidence, from a single study, supporting FIRS therapy in chronic pain; weak evidence, from a single study, supporting FIRS therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome; weak evidence, from a single study, supporting FIRS therapy for obesity; and consistent fair evidence to refute claims regarding the role of FIRSs in cholesterol reduction.
Authors: Christine M Judge; Lisa Chasan-Taber; Lenore Gensburg; Philip C Nasca; Elizabeth G Marshall Journal: Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 3.980
Authors: I Loturco; Ccc Abad; F Y Nakamura; S P Ramos; R Kobal; S Gil; L A Pereira; Fhp Burini; H Roschel; C Ugrinowitsch; V Tricoli Journal: Biol Sport Date: 2016-07-02 Impact factor: 2.806