Silja Kuderer1, Katrin Vagedes1, Henrik Szöke2, Matthias Kohl3, Stefanie Joos4, Peter W Gündling5, Jan Vagedes6. 1. Research Department, ARCIM Institute (Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine), Im Haberschlai 7, 70794 Filderstadt, Germany. 2. Department of Integrative Medicine, University of Pécs, Vörösmarty utca 3, 7623 Pécs, Hungary. 3. Institute of Precision Medicine, University Furtwangen, Jakob-Kienzle-Straße 17, 78054 VS-Schwenningen, Germany. 4. Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstraße 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. 5. Hochschule Fresenius, University of Applied Sciences, Limburger Str. 2, 65510 Idstein, Germany. 6. Research Department, ARCIM Institute (Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine), Im Haberschlai 7, 70794 Filderstadt, Germany; Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, Filderklinik, Im Haberschlai 7, 70794 Filderstadt, Germany. Electronic address: j.vagedes@arcim-institute.de.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects between warm water (WW) and ginger footbaths (WW+ginger) on sleep quality and warmth regulation in adults with self-reported insomnia symptoms. METHODS: A prospective randomized-controlled study in which 28 participants (mean age 50.9 years, 64.3% women, insomnia symptom duration 11.4 years) were randomized to receive WW (n = 13) or WW+ginger (n = 15) daily for 2 weeks. Treatment involved nightly footbaths (12 liters of 38-42 °C warm tap water, maximum duration 20 min) with and without topical ginger (80 g of powdered ginger rhizomes). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was self-reported sleep quality (global score from Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) at 2 weeks. Secondary outcomes included measures of insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index, ISI) and warmth regulation (Herdecke Warmth Perception Questionnaire, HWPQ and 24-hour distal-proximal skin temperature gradient, DPG). RESULTS: WW+ginger had no greater effect on PSQI (mean between-difference 0.0 [95% CI -3.0 to 2.9], Cohen's d=0.0) or ISI (-0.2 [-3.9 to 3.4], 0.0) than WW. Nor were there any significant differences in HWPQ perceived warmth (0.1 ≥d≥0.5) or DPG (0.1 ≥d≥0.4) between WW and WW+ginger. Both groups improved over time in PSQI (WW+ginger: d=0.7, WW: d=1.3) and ISI (WW+ginger: d=0.8, WW: d=1.0). Perceived warmth of the feet increased only in WW+ginger over time (d=0.6, WW: d=0.0). CONCLUSIONS: This dose of ginger (6.67 g/liter) did not have greater effects on sleep quality, insomnia severity or warmth regulation than WW. Considering effect sizes, costs and risks, the use of WW would be recommended over WW+ginger in this patient population.
OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects between warm water (WW) and ginger footbaths (WW+ginger) on sleep quality and warmth regulation in adults with self-reported insomnia symptoms. METHODS: A prospective randomized-controlled study in which 28 participants (mean age 50.9 years, 64.3% women, insomnia symptom duration 11.4 years) were randomized to receive WW (n = 13) or WW+ginger (n = 15) daily for 2 weeks. Treatment involved nightly footbaths (12 liters of 38-42 °C warm tap water, maximum duration 20 min) with and without topical ginger (80 g of powdered ginger rhizomes). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was self-reported sleep quality (global score from Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) at 2 weeks. Secondary outcomes included measures of insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index, ISI) and warmth regulation (Herdecke Warmth Perception Questionnaire, HWPQ and 24-hour distal-proximal skin temperature gradient, DPG). RESULTS: WW+ginger had no greater effect on PSQI (mean between-difference 0.0 [95% CI -3.0 to 2.9], Cohen's d=0.0) or ISI (-0.2 [-3.9 to 3.4], 0.0) than WW. Nor were there any significant differences in HWPQ perceived warmth (0.1 ≥d≥0.5) or DPG (0.1 ≥d≥0.4) between WW and WW+ginger. Both groups improved over time in PSQI (WW+ginger: d=0.7, WW: d=1.3) and ISI (WW+ginger: d=0.8, WW: d=1.0). Perceived warmth of the feet increased only in WW+ginger over time (d=0.6, WW: d=0.0). CONCLUSIONS: This dose of ginger (6.67 g/liter) did not have greater effects on sleep quality, insomnia severity or warmth regulation than WW. Considering effect sizes, costs and risks, the use of WW would be recommended over WW+ginger in this patient population.
Authors: Jan Vagedes; Silja Kuderer; Katrin Vagedes; Henrik Szőke; Matthias Kohl; Stefanie Joos; Florian Beissner; Ursula Wolf Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2022-07-18 Impact factor: 2.650