A research group led by Lecturer Yamazaki (at the time) of the Department of Internal Medicine at Kyushu University Beppu Hospital conducted a survey about nighttime hot spring bathing at a hot spring facility in Beppu City and found that the rate of decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after bathing in a hot spring was significantly greater in respondents aged 65 or older than in those under 65.
It has been reported that elderly people with a systolic blood pressure of 160 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 100 mmHg or higher have three to four times the risk of accidents while bathing compared to elderly people with normal blood pressure, but hot spring visitors do not necessarily measure their blood pressure before and after bathing.
Therefore, the research group aimed to prevent accidents caused by hot spring guests with a systolic blood pressure of 160mmHg or above or a diastolic blood pressure of 100mmHg or above by making pre-bathing blood pressure measurements a regular practice at hot spring facilities in Beppu City. Furthermore, for hot spring guests with poorly controlled blood pressure who were unable to bathe in the hot springs, they attempted to establish a mutual cooperation system between the hot spring facilities and the hospital to ensure safe use of the hot springs and to lead to the early detection and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases such as high blood pressure.
We also prospectively evaluated the proportion of people who used the mobile app and the paper questionnaire regarding nighttime hot spring bathing. Of the total 1116 participants, 562 used the app and 556 used the paper questionnaire, with 65% of respondents aged 99.3 or older using the paper questionnaire.
The answers showed that the percentage of reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after bathing in a hot spring was significantly greater in people aged 65 or older than those under 65. When checking the influence of the percentage of reduction in blood pressure before and after bathing in a hot spring at night, there was a significant independent correlation found between age 65 or older, hypertension while taking medication, arrhythmia, depression, and use of chloride springs.
The research group stated that night-time hot spring bathing may be effective in lowering blood pressure in people aged 65 and over, but that people with a history of high blood pressure are at higher risk of accidents due to the effects of antihypertensive medication they are taking, so people should consult with their doctor to ensure safe hot spring bathing, and that further investigation is needed.
Paper information:[PLOS ONE] Night-time hot spring bathing is associated with improved blood pressure control: A mobile application and paper questionnaire study
