Sauna

    Written by:
    Nick Milazzo

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Brady Holmer, Molly Gregas
    Last Updated: November 14, 2023

    Sauna is a form of passive heat therapy characterized by exposure to high ambient temperatures for short periods of time. It’s most heavily studied for its effects on the cardiorespiratory system, for which it can produce a number of benefits (many that are similar to exercise). The design and practices of saunas can vary considerably, which makes it difficult to directly compare studies on them.

    19 references on this page
    1,176 participants in 22 trials and 1 meta-analysis

    Overview

    Examine Database: Sauna

    Research FeedRead all studies

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Examine Database References

    1. Brain Natriuretic Peptide - Tei C, Imamura T, Kinugawa K, Inoue T, Masuyama T, Inoue H, Noike H, Muramatsu T, Takeishi Y, Saku K, Harada K, Daida H, Kobayashi Y, Hagiwara N, Nagayama M, Momomura S, Yonezawa K, Ito H, Gojo S, Akaishi M, Miyata M, Ohishi M, Waon Therapy for Managing Chronic Heart Failure　- Results From a Multicenter Prospective Randomized WAON-CHF Study.Circ J.(2016)
    2. Brain Natriuretic Peptide - Miyata M, Kihara T, Kubozono T, Ikeda Y, Shinsato T, Izumi T, Matsuzaki M, Yamaguchi T, Kasanuki H, Daida H, Nagayama M, Nishigami K, Hirata K, Kihara K, Tei CBeneficial effects of Waon therapy on patients with chronic heart failure: results of a prospective multicenter study.J Cardiol.(2008-Oct)
    3. Brain Natriuretic Peptide - Kuwahata S, Miyata M, Fujita S, Kubozono T, Shinsato T, Ikeda Y, Hamasaki S, Kuwaki T, Tei CImprovement of autonomic nervous activity by Waon therapy in patients with chronic heart failure.J Cardiol.(2011-Jan)
    4. Brain Natriuretic Peptide - Kihara T, Biro S, Ikeda Y, Fukudome T, Shinsato T, Masuda A, Miyata M, Hamasaki S, Otsuji Y, Minagoe S, Akiba S, Tei CEffects of repeated sauna treatment on ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic heart failure.Circ J.(2004-Dec)
    5. Brain Natriuretic Peptide - Ichiki T, Burnett JC, Scott CG, Heublein DM, Miyata M, Kinugawa K, Inoue T, Tei C, Neurohumoral Modulation During Waon Therapy in Chronic Heart Failure　- Subanalysis of Waon-CHF Study.Circ J.(2017-Apr-25)
    6. Brain Natriuretic Peptide - Fujita S, Ikeda Y, Miyata M, Shinsato T, Kubozono T, Kuwahata S, Hamada N, Miyauchi T, Yamaguchi T, Torii H, Hamasaki S, Tei CEffect of Waon therapy on oxidative stress in chronic heart failure.Circ J.(2011)
    7. Heart Failure Severity - Basford JR, Oh JK, Allison TG, Sheffield CG, Manahan BG, Hodge DO, Tajik AJ, Rodeheffer RJ, Tei CSafety, acceptance, and physiologic effects of sauna bathing in people with chronic heart failure: a pilot report.Arch Phys Med Rehabil.(2009-Jan)
    8. Depression Symptoms - Masuda A, Nakazato M, Kihara T, Minagoe S, Tei CRepeated thermal therapy diminishes appetite loss and subjective complaints in mildly depressed patients.Psychosom Med.(2005)
    9. Swimming Performance Metrics - Skorski S, Schimpchen J, Pfeiffer M, Ferrauti A, Kellmann M, Meyer TEffects of Postexercise Sauna Bathing on Recovery of Swim Performance.Int J Sports Physiol Perform.(2019-Dec-22)
    10. Heart Rate - Dariusz Sitkowski, Tomasz Cisoń, Zbigniew Szygula, Olga Surała, Michał Starczewski, Dorota Sadowska, Jadwiga Malczewska-LenczowskaHematological Adaptations to Post-Exercise Sauna Bathing with No Fluid Intake: A Randomized Cross-Over StudyRes Q Exerc Sport.(2021 Nov 2)
    11. Oxygen Uptake - Lee E, Kolunsarka I, Kostensalo J, Ahtiainen JP, Haapala EA, Willeit P, Kunutsor SK, Laukkanen JAEffects of regular sauna bathing in conjunction with exercise on cardiovascular function: a multi-arm, randomized controlled trial.Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol.(2022-Sep-01)
    12. Blood Pressure - Akinori Masuda, Masaaki Miyata, Takashi Kihara, Shinichi Minagoe, Chuwa TeiRepeated sauna therapy reduces urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha)Jpn Heart J.(2004 Mar)
    13. Wound Healing - Papp AA, Alhava EMSauna-bathing with sutures. A prospective and randomised study.Scand J Surg.(2003)
    14. Common Cold Symptoms - Pach D, Knöchel B, Lüdtke R, Wruck K, Willich SN, Witt CMVisiting a sauna: does inhaling hot dry air reduce common cold symptoms? A randomised controlled trial.Med J Aust.(2010)
    15. Blood glucose - Schenaarts L, Hendriks FK, Fuchs CJ, Sluijsmans WE, Snijders T, van Loon LJA Single Sauna Session Does Not Improve Postprandial Blood Glucose Handling in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Over, Randomized, Controlled Trial.Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes.(2024 Sep 26)
    16. Heart Rate Variability - Kunbootsri N, Janyacharoen T, Arrayawichanon P, Chainansamit S, Kanpittaya J, Auvichayapat P, Sawanyawisuth KThe effect of six-weeks of sauna on treatment autonomic nervous system, peak nasal inspiratory flow and lung functions of allergic rhinitis Thai patients.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol.(2013-Jun)
    17. Plasma Volume - Kissling LS, Akerman AP, Campbell HA, Prout JR, Gibbons TD, Thomas KN, Cotter JDA crossover control study of three methods of heat acclimation on the magnitude and kinetics of adaptation.Exp Physiol.(2022-Apr)
    18. Perceived Body Temperature - Campbell HA, Akerman AP, Kissling LS, Prout JR, Gibbons TD, Thomas KN, Cotter JDAcute physiological and psychophysical responses to different modes of heat stress.Exp Physiol.(2022-May)
    19. Blood Pressure - Bartolomé I, Siquier-Coll J, Pérez-Quintero M, Robles-Gil MC, Grijota FJ, Muñoz D, Maynar-Mariño M3-Week passive acclimation to extreme environmental heat (100± 3 °C) in dry sauna increases physical and physiological performance among young semi-professional football players.J Therm Biol.(2021-Aug)
    20. Exercise Tolerance - Kikuchi H, Shiozawa N, Takata S, Ashida K, Mitsunobu FEffect of repeated Waon therapy on exercise tolerance and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot controlled clinical trial.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis.(2014)
    21. Microbiome - Karolkiewicz J, Nieman DC, Cisoń T, Szurkowska J, Gałęcka M, Sitkowski D, Szygula ZNo effects of a 4-week post-exercise sauna bathing on targeted gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function, and hsCRP in healthy men: a pilot randomized controlled trial.BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil.(2022-Jun-16)
    22. Depression Symptoms - Kanji G, Weatherall M, Peter R, Purdie G, Page REfficacy of regular sauna bathing for chronic tension-type headache: a randomized controlled study.J Altern Complement Med.(2015-Feb)