Aug 21

Waon Heat Therapy for Fibro

A recent article from Japanese researchers has shown that Waon Therapy, a specific kind of soothing warmth therapy, can be effective at helping to treat Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro). [1]

For the Waon therapy, 13 female Fibro patients, spent 15 minutes relaxing in far infrared-ray dry sauna maintained at an even temperature of 60 degrees C, folowing which they were transferred to a room maintained at 26-27 degrees C where they were covered with a blanket from the neck down to keep them warm for 30 minutes. [1]

The pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) were used to assess subjective pain levels and symptom impact due to Fibro. After the first session of Waon therapy, all the patients experienced significant pain reduction of 11-70% and after 10 sessions of the therapy, the effects stabilised at 20-78% of pain reduction. Significant reductions in pain and symptoms were determined using the pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and these reductions in pain and symptoms were seen throughout the observation period. [1]

The researchers concluded that:

"Waon therapy is effective for the treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome." [1]

Heat therapies of various forms are often used by Fibro patients, with heated pool treatment being included in the EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. [2] Heat was also rated as one of the most effective management modalities by an internet survey of 2,596 people with Fibro that was carried out last year. [3]

References:

  1. Matsushita K, Masuda A, Tei C. Efficacy of Waon therapy for fibromyalgia. Intern Med. 2008;47(16):1473-6. Epub 2008 Aug 15.
  2. Reference: Carville SF, Arendt-Nielsen S, Bliddal H, Blotman F, Branco JC, Buskila D, Da Silva JA, Danneskiold-Samsøe B, Dincer F, Henriksson C, Henriksson KG, Kosek E, Longley K, McCarthy GM, Perrot S, Puszczewicz M, Sarzi-Puttini P, Silman A, Späth M, Choy EH; EULAR. EULAR evidence-based recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis. 2008 Apr;67(4):536-41. Epub 2007 Jul 20.
  3. Bennett RM, Jones J, Turk DC, Russell IJ, Matallana L. An internet survey of 2,596 people with fibromyalgia. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2007 Mar 9;8:27