Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors: summary of published evidence.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature about the health benefits of far-infrared sauna (FIRS) use.


METHODS
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).


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Beever
Richard
R
Richard.beever@northernhealth.ca
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D055703:Reproductive Physiological Phenomena; D012307:Risk Factors; D029002:Steam Bath; D016896:Treatment Outcome