Abstract Title: Effects of yoga versus hydrotherapy training on health-related quality of life and exercise capacity in patients with heart failure: A randomized controlled study. Abstract Source: Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2017 Jun ;16(5):381-389. Epub 2017 Jan 27. PMID: 28128646 Abstract Author(s): Ewa Hägglund, Inger Hagerman, Kerstin Dencker, Anna Strömberg Article Affiliation: Ewa Hägglund Abstract: AIMS: The aims of this study were to determine whether yoga and hydrotherapy training had an equal effect on the health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure and to compare the effects on exercise capacity, clinical outcomes, and symptoms of anxiety and depression between and within the two groups. METHODS: The design was a randomized controlled non-inferiority study. A total of 40 patients, 30% women (mean±SD age 64.9±8.9 years) with heart failure were randomized to an intervention of 12 weeks, either performing yoga or training with hydrotherapy for 45-60 minutes twice a week. Evaluation at baseline and after 12 weeks included self-reported health-related quality of life, a six-minute walk test, asit-to-stand test, clinical variables, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Yoga and hydrotherapy had an equal impact on quality of life, exercise capacity, clinical outcomes, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Within both groups, exercise capacity significantly improved (hydrotherapy p=0.02; yoga p=0.008) and symptoms of anxiety decreased (hydrotherapy p=0.03; yoga p=0.01). Patients in the yoga group significantly improved their health as rated by EQ-VAS ( p=0.004) and disease-specific quality of life in the domains symptom frequency ( p=0.03), self-efficacy ( p=0.01), clinical summary as a combined measure of symptoms and social factors ( p=0.05), and overall summary score ( p=0.04). Symptoms of depression were decreased in this group ( p=0.005). In the hydrotherapy group, lower limb muscle strength improved significantly ( p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga may be an alternative or complementary option to established forms of exercise training such as hydrotherapy for improvement in health-related quality of life and may decrease depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure. Article Published Date : May 31, 2017

Abstract Title: Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression. Abstract Source: Med Hypotheses. 2008 ;70(5):995-1001. Epub 2007 Nov 13. PMID: 17993252 Abstract Author(s): Nikolai A Shevchuk Article Affiliation: Molecular Radiobiology Section, The Department of Radiation Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 401 College St, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Abstract: Depression is a debilitating mood disorder that is among the top causes of disability worldwide. It can be characterized by a set of somatic, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, one of which is a high risk of suicide. This work presents a hypothesis that depression may be caused by the convergence of two factors: (A) A lifestyle that lacks certain physiological stressors that have been experienced by primates through millions of years of evolution, such as brief changes in body temperature (e.g. cold swim), and this lack of"thermal exercise"may cause inadequate functioning of the brain. (B) Genetic makeup that predisposes an individual to be affected by the above condition more seriously than other people. To test the hypothesis, an approach to treating depression is proposed that consists of adapted cold showers (20 degrees C, 2-3 min, preceded by a 5-min gradual adaptation to make the procedure less shocking) performed once or twice daily. The proposed duration of treatment is several weeks to several months. The following evidence appears to support the hypothesis: Exposure to cold is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system and increase the blood level of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline and to increase synaptic release of noradrenaline in the brain as well. Additionally, due to the high density of cold receptors in the skin, a cold shower is expected to send an overwhelming amount of electrical impulses from peripheral nerve endings to the brain, which could result in an anti-depressive effect. Practical testing by a statistically insignificant number of people, who did not have sufficient symptoms to be diagnosed with depression, showed that the cold hydrotherapy can relieve depressive symptoms rather effectively. The therapy was also found to have a significant analgesic effect and it does not appear to have noticeable side effects or cause dependence. In conclusion, wider and more rigorous studies would be needed to test the validity of the hypothesis. Article Published Date : Jan 01, 2008

Abstract Title: The effect of physical therapy on beta-endorphin levels. Abstract Source: Eur J Appl Physiol. 2007 Jul;100(4):371-82. Epub 2007 May 5. PMID: 17483960 Abstract Author(s): Tamás Bender, György Nagy, István Barna, Ildikó Tefner, Eva Kádas, Pál Géher Article Affiliation: Polyclinic of Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, Budapest, Hungary. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Abstract: Beta-endorphin (betaE) is an important reliever of pain. Various stressors and certain modalities of physiotherapy are potent inducers of the release of endogenous betaE to the blood stream. Most forms of exercise also increase blood betaE level, especially when exercise intensity involves reaching the anaerobic threshold and is associated with the elevation of serum lactate level. Age, gender, and mental activity during exercise also may influence betaE levels. Publications on the potential stimulating effect of manual therapy and massage on betaE release are controversial. Sauna, mud bath, and thermal water increase betaE levels through conveying heat to the tissues. The majority of the techniques for electrical stimulation have a similar effect, which is exerted both centrally and--to a lesser extent--peripherally. However, the parameters of electrotherapy have not yet been standardised. The efficacy of analgesia and the improvement of general well-being do not necessarily correlate with betaE level. Although in addition to blood, increased brain and cerebrospinal fluid betaE levels are also associated with pain, the majority of studies have concerned blood betaE levels. In general, various modalities of physical therapy might influence endorphin levels in the serum or in the cerebrospinal fluid--this is usually manifested by elevation with potential mitigation of pain. However, a causal relationship between the elevation of blood, cerebrospinal fluid or brain betaE levels and the onset of the analgesic action cannot be demonstrated with certainty. Article Published Date : Jul 01, 2007

Abstract Title: [Repeated cold water stimulations (hydrotherapy according to Kneipp) in patients with COPD]. Abstract Source: Forsch Komplementmed. 2007 Jun;14(3):158-66. Epub 2007 Jun 22. PMID: 17596696 Abstract Author(s): Katrin Goedsche, Martin Förster, Claus Kroegel, Christine Uhlemann Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often suffer from exacerbations caused by infections of the bronchial tract. OBJECTIVE: What effects do hydrotherapeutic applications according to Kneipp have on lung function, blood gases, immune system and quality of life of patients with COPD? Patients and Methods: 20 patients with COPD (17 males, 3 females); mean age: 64; forced expiratory volume (FEV1): 62 of 100% (on average); no acute exacerbations, no oral corticosteroids. Measurements were performed (I) at 10 weeks pre-treatment, (II) immediately before therapy (I-II: baseline-period), (III) after 10 weeks treatment with 3 cold affusions and 2 cold washings of the upper part of the body (self-treatment) per week each, (IV) 3 months after completion of the treatment (follow- up). The following parameters were measured: lung function, blood gases, routine lab, experimental lab (interleukines, lymphocytes), maximal expiratory flow (PEF), quality of life and respiratory infections. RESULTS: The pH increased over the course of the study. PEF and the number of lymphocytes significantly increased over the treatment (II-III). Intracellular expression of IL-4 by T lymphocytes decreased. However, the expression of IFN-gamma increased. Frequency of infections was lower during follow-up (IV) than before and during therapy. Quality of life after treatment was estimated to be good in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated cold stimulations (affusions) can influence the frequency of respiratory infections and improve subjective well-being. It may cause an immunological modulation in terms of the Th1-type pattern. Article Published Date : Jun 01, 2007

Abstract Title: Immune system of cold-exposed and cold-adapted humans. Abstract Source: Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1996 ;72(5-6):445-50. PMID: 8925815 Abstract Author(s): L Janský, D Pospísilová, S Honzová, B Ulicný, P Srámek, V Zeman, J Kamínková Article Affiliation: Department of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University Vinicná 7, Prague, Czech Republic. Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the human immune system can be activated by a noninfectious stimulus, thereby improving the physiological status of the individual. The effect of a single cold water immersion (14 degrees C for 1 h) on the immune system of athletic young men, monitored immediately after immersion, was minimal. With the continuation of the cold water immersions (three times a week for a duration of 6 weeks) a small, but significant, increase in the proportions of monocytes, lymphocytes with expressed IL2 receptors (CD25) and in plasma tumour necrosis factor alpha content was induced. An increase in the plasma concentrations of some acute phase proteins, such as haptoglobin and haemopexin, was also observed. After 6 weeks of repeated immersions a trend towards an increase in the plasma concentrations of IL6 and the amount of total T lymphocytes (CD3), T helper cells (CD4), T suppressor cells (CD8), activated T and B lymphocytes (HLA-DR) and a decrease in the plasma concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin was observed. Concentrations of IL1 beta, neopterin, C-reactive protein, orosomucoid, ceruloplasmin, macroglobulin, immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) and C3, C4 components of the complement, as well as the total number of erythrocytes, leucocytes, granulocytes and neutrophils showed no significant changes after the repeated cold water immersions. It was concluded that the stress-inducing noninfectious stimuli, such as repeated cold water immersions, which increased metabolic rate due to shivering the elevated blood concentrations of catecholamines, activated the immune system to a slight extent. The biological significance of the changes observed remains to be elucidated. Article Published Date : Jan 01, 1996