The Acute Effect of Hot Water Immersion on Cardiac Function in Individuals with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

J. Clin. Med., 2024 · DOI: 10.3390/jcm13247593 · Published: December 13, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how whole-body heat stress, induced by head-out hot water immersion (HHWI), affects the heart function of individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) compared to healthy individuals. Participants were immersed in warm water, and their heart function was assessed using echocardiography before and after the immersion. The results showed that heat stress improved heart function in healthy individuals, but the effects were different in those with CSCI, suggesting the sympathetic nervous system plays a crucial role.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

8 male patients with complete motor CSCI and 9 healthy controls

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
In healthy participants, heat stress increased left atrial contractility, left ventricular dilatation, and left ventricular contractility.
2
In patients with CSCI, left atrial contractility and left ventricular contractility improved, but there was no improvement in left ventricular diastolic function.
3
The sympathetic nervous system predominantly influences left ventricular dilatation during whole-body heat stress.

Research Summary

This study examined the impact of whole-body heat stress using head-out hot water immersion (HHWI) on cardiac function in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) and healthy participants. Healthy participants experienced improved left atrial contractility, left ventricular dilatation, and left ventricular contractility, while CSCI patients only showed improvements in left atrial and ventricular contractility. The findings suggest the sympathetic nervous system's role in left ventricular diastolic function and provide fundamental data for thermal therapy using HHWI in CSCI individuals.

Practical Implications

Thermal Therapy Potential

HHWI may be a potential thermal therapy for mitigating arteriosclerosis and heart disease in patients with CSCI.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Strategy

HHWI may serve as a potential cardiac rehabilitation strategy for patients with CSCI and healthy individuals, given its ability to augment ventricular contractility.

Home-Based Therapy

The thermal therapy utilized in this study can be performed in the domestic setting, specifically in a bath, and has the potential to be an efficacious thermal therapy.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size
2
All subjects were male
3
Analysis limited to a single heat stress session with fixed temperature and time

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