The effects of repeated thermal therapy for two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the successful treatment of two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) using repeated thermal therapy.


METHODS
Two patients with CFS underwent treatment with prednisolone (PSL), with no satisfactory effect. They were subjected to thermal therapy that consisted of a far-infrared ray dry sauna at 60 degrees C and postsauna warming. The therapy was performed once a day, for a total of 35 sessions. After discharge, these subjects continued the therapy once or twice a week on an outpatient basis for 1 year.


RESULTS
Symptoms such as fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and low-grade fever were dramatically improved after 15 to 25 sessions of thermal therapy. Although PSL administration was discontinued, the subjects showed no relapse or exacerbation of symptoms during the first year after discharge. The patients became socially rehabilitated 6 months after discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that repeated thermal therapy might be a promising method for the treatment of CFS.
Respiratory and Stress Care Center, Kagoshima University Hospital, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan. masudaak@m.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
Akinori
A
Masuda
Takashi
T
Kihara
Tsuyoshi
T
Fukudome
Takuro
T
Shinsato
Shinichi
S
Minagoe
Chuwa
C
Tei
D000328:Adult; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006361:Heating; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019233:Retreatment; D029002:Steam Bath; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011239:Prednisolone