Effects of Short-Term Forest Bathing on Human Health in a Broad-Leaved Evergreen Forest in Zhejiang Province,China

Objective To investigate the effects of short-term forest bathing on human health. Methods Twenty healthy male university students participated as subjects and were randomly divided into two groups of 10. One group was sent on a two-night trip to a broad-leaved evergreen forest, and the other was sent to a city area. Serum cytokine levels reflecting inflammatory and stress response, indicators reflecting oxidative stress, the distribution of leukocyte subsets, and plasma endothelin-1 （ET-1） concentrations were measured before and after the experiment to evaluate the positive health effects of forest environments. A profile of mood states （POMS） evaluation was used to assess changes in mood states. Results No significant differences in the baseline values of the indicators were observed between the two groups before the experiment. Subjects exposed to the forest environment showed reduced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory level, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor a levels compared with the urban group. Serum cortisol levels were also lower than in the urban group. Notably, the concentration of plasma ET-1 was much lower in subjects exposed to the forest environment. The POMS evaluation showed that after exposure to the forest environment, subjects had lower scores in the negative subscales, and the score for vigor was increased. Conclusion Forest bathing is beneficial to human health, perhaps through preventive effects related to several pathological factors.

Health Effect of Forest Bathing Trip on Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Forest bathing trip is a short, leisurely visit to forest. In this study we determined the health effects of forest bathing trip on elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group was sent to forest, and the other was sent to an urban area as control. Flow cytometry, ELISA, and profile of mood states （POMS） evaluation were performed. In the forest group,

Additive Benefits of Twice Forest Bathing Trips in Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Chronic heart failure （CHF）, a clinical syndrome resulting from the consequences of various cardiovascular diseases （CVDs）, is increasingly becoming a global cause of morbidity and mortality. We had earlier demonstrated that a 4-day forest bathing trip can provide an adjunctive therapeutic influence on patients with CHF. To further investigate the duration of the impact and the optimal frequency of forest bathing trips in patients with CHF, we recruited those subjects who had experienced the first forest bathing trip again after 4 weeks and randomly categorized them into two groups, namely, the urban control group （city） and the forest bathing group （forest）. After a second 4-day forest bathing trip, we observed a steady decline in the brain natriuretic peptide levels, a biomarker of heart failure, and an attenuated inflammatory response as well as oxidative stress. Thus, this exploratory study demonstrated the additive benefits of twice forest bathing trips in elderly patients with CHF, which could further pave the way for analyzing the effects of such interventions in CVDs.

Traditional Japanese Style Bathing May Contribute to Good Health and Longevity

The objective of this study was to determine how traditional Japanese style bathing could promote good health. Using healthy volunteers, we assessed body temperature (core and cutaneous), red blood cells, white blood cells (WBCs), venous blood gas parameters (PO2, SO2, PCO2, TCO2, HCO3, and pH), weight loss (which may indicate sweat volume), and the time until sweating before and after bathing. We simultaneously conducted a double-blind clinical trial using a bath additive group and a control group to investigate the effect of a bath additive on the same parameters. We found that bathing increased the core and cutaneous body temperature, as well as PO2, SO2, and blood pH. All of the subjects also showed increases in heart rate and weight loss (sweat volume). After bathing, the number and ratio of granulocytes increased while the number and ratio of lymphocytes decreased. These results tended to be emphasized in the bath additive group;however, significant between-group differences were not detected. Our results indicated that bathing improved blood circulation and had a modulatory effect on the autonomic nervous system. This suggested that traditional Japanese style bathing might contribute to good health and longevity;however, additional larger-scale studies were needed to confirm or refute this conclusion.

Examination of the Appropriateness of Teaching Materials for Preventing Dangers during Ablution and Bathing of Infants by Mothers and Family Members

Purpose: This study aimed to develop teaching materials to prevent the dangers of ablution and bathing infants, based on the dangerous experiences of mothers and family members, and examine their appropriateness. Methods: A total of 20 midwives and public health nurses were selected as participants. Teaching materials and anonymous self-administered questionnaires were distributed, and the participants were asked to view the teaching materials and fill in the questionnaires. Retrieval was done by mail. The teaching materials included digital content, such as videos, sounds, and characters, which incorporated dangerous situations, preventions, and innovations in ablution and bathing procedures. The analysis was conducted by simple tabulation for each survey item. The free description was coded to preserve anonymity. This study was conducted with the approval of the Research Ethics Review Board of the authors’ affiliated university. Results: The teaching materials were found to be appropriate in terms of suitability to purpose, degree of difficulty of content, ease of viewing the videos, validity of time, appropriateness of expression, and usability. Conclusions: Ablution teaching materials that are used at the present time do not focus on dangers, and to date, no resources on bathing have been used as teaching materials. The created teaching materials in this study can be viewed multiple times, and mothers and family members who are unfamiliar with ablution and bathing can acquire knowledge regarding dangers and danger prevention. The addition of specific preventive measures and countermeasures for the occurrence of danger, along with practice, would result in the development of further appropriate teaching materials to reduce danger and alleviate anxiety.

Study and Practice of Forest-bathing Field in Japan

Japan has made remarkable achievements in the study and development of forest tourism for health care reason. Through the comprehensive investigation into the development of forest-bathing field in Japan, this paper studied the forest tourism for health care factor in Japan and concluded the evaluation standard and construction of forest-bathing field, as well as personnel training. In the end, some suggestions were proposed for the study and development of forest tourism for health care factor in Asia.

A Change in Bathing Style May Improve Mental Fitness

Frequent bathtub bathing (BB) improves the mental health of middle-aged and older Japanese in-dividuals. This study investigated the chronic mental health effects of BB, maintaining warmth using an insulating sheet and sleeping bag after bathtub bathing (BBW), and bathtub bathing with herbal extracts (BBH) in healthy young adults. The study involved healthy young adults who habitually showered, as opposed to bathing. In the first experiment, 18 participants were randomly assigned to either the BB or BBW groups for 14 consecutive nights. After a 2-week washout period, the participants were asked to switch their bathing styles (a cross-over design). In the second experiment, 20 participants were randomly assigned to the BB or BBH group. The herbal extracts for the BBH group contained angelicae radix, aurantii nobilis pericarpium, chamomile, and zingiberis rhizoma. After a 2-week washout period, these participants also switched to the other bathing style. The participants’ mental conditions pre- and post-intervention were assessed using the Profile of Mood States-Brief Form questionnaire, Japanese version, and were statistically analyzed. The participants’ Anger-Hostility score converged to an average (50 points) in the post-BBW and post-BBH participants, and there were no significant differences in BB. The Confusion change rate was significantly different in the first experiment (BB versus BBW). The Depression-Dejection and Fatigue change rates were significantly different in the second experiment (BB versus BBH). Our findings suggest that changing bathing style from showering to BBW or BBH improves the POMS Anger-Hostility scores of healthy young adults.

Hemodynamic Response during Japanese-Style Bathing in Elderly Disabled Subjects

Aims: Bathing in deep, Japanese-style bathtubs is associated with high rates of sudden death in the elderly in Japan. The predominant causes of death in such cases are cardiovascular events and drowning. Blood pressure changes induced by water pressure and high temperature during bathing may be an important cause of these accidents. Therefore, we investigated the changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) before and after bathing in elderly Japanese individuals. Methods: Forty-eight elderly (average age, 86.4 ± 7.5 years) persons were enrolled in this study. Results: Changes in systolic blood pressure after bathing correlated negatively with baseline blood pressure before bathing, and participants with baseline systolic blood pressures of <125 mmHg experienced a greater elevation in blood pressure while bathing. Pulse rate was significantly increased after bathing, and the change in pulse rate correlated negatively with the baseline values. SpO2 did not differ significantly during bathing, but changes in SpO2 correlated negatively with baseline values. Lean participants showed a more marked elevation of SpO2, and those with hypertension showed reduced SpO2. Conclusion: These data suggest that the disabled elderly with low blood pressure experience trends in cardiovascular response during bathing which differ from those of young persons.

A Survey of Dangers Experienced by Mothers and Families of Infants Aged 3 - 4 Months during Ablution and Bathing

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the dangers experienced by mothers and families of infants aged 3 - 4 months in Japan during ablution and bathing. Method: We distributed an anonymous, self-reported questionnaire at infants’ 3 - 4-month health checkup, which was collected via postal service. 170 valid responses were received and formed our sample data. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for each category surveyed. Inferential statistics were used to compare the dangerous incidents experienced with regard to differences between primi/multipara and the presence/absence of guidance concerning such incidents. This study was approved by the research ethics committees of the affiliated university. Results: 60.0% of mothers and families experienced dangers while washing their infant in a baby tub or similar apparatus (ablution), and 64.9% did while bathing their infant in the normal bath. For ablution, the most common dangers were, in order, nearly dropping the infant in the water and nearly getting soap suds in the mouth. For bathing, these were nearly getting soap suds in the mouth, near submersion of the face, and nearly dropping the infant in the water. The percentage of mothers and families who did not receive instruction regarding potential dangers and their prevention was 55.9% for ablution and 81.8% for bathing. Conclusion: This study revealed the dangers experienced by mothers and families of infants aged 3 - 4 months in Japan during ablution and bathing. Further consideration into the prevention of these dangers is necessary.

Preliminary Study on the Effectiveness of Different Durations of Hot Towel Application to the Back during Bed Bathing

The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective duration of hot towel application during bed bathing, based on temporal changes in skin surface temperature, towel temperature, and subjective comfort. As a secondary objective, differences in skin surface temperature and subjective comfort for hot towel application on the back and dry towel wiping alone were evaluated. For the first objective, hot towels were applied on the lower back of 20 healthy adults, for different duration (10, 15, and 20 s), with a 10-s duration found to be the most effective. For the second objective, we compared bed bathing with hot towel application to dry wiping alone, n 21 healthy adult participants. A 10-s hot towel application increased the surface temperature of the skin (+0.5℃) and provided a perceived sensation of warmth and comfort. In contrast, dry wiping significantly decreased the surface skin temperature (-0.8℃). In conclusion, hot towel application increased skin surface temperature and improved subjective warmth and comfort during bed bathing.

Alteration of microcirculation in burn rehabilitation stage by herbal bathing

Objective To observe the change of microcircul ation of burn patient in convalescen t stage through treatment with herba l bathing.Method40burn patients were bathed by Chinese herbal medicine in convalescent s tage.Before and after bathing,the microcirculation of foot nail fold was observed by WX-753B mic rocirculation microscope and syste m and system of figure management.And the results were compared with normal person.Result The foot nail fold microcirculation changes of burn rehabilitation were remarkable higher than the control g roup(P <0.01)on the malformation rate of capillar y loop,and at the same time the patien ts were accompanied with increase of hidro-duct(P <0.01)and effusion of capillary loop(P <0.01).The malformation rate of capillary loop of the foot nail fold was positiv e improved,the effusion and dripping of capillary loop was signi ficant decreased after treatment wi th bathing.Conclusion Though the wound surface is healed,t he mi-crocirculation disturbance of burn patients exists in rehabilitation s tage.And herbal bathing could effectively improve microcirculation.

Tsunami hazard and mitigation analysis for bathing beaches in China based on numerical simulations

Bathing beaches are usually the first to suffer disasters when tsunamis occur,owing to their proximity to the sea.Several large seismic fault zones are located off the coast of China.The impact of each tsunami scenario on Chinese bathing beaches is different.In this study,numerical models of the worst tsunami scenarios associated with seismic fault zones were considered to assess the tsunami hazard of bathing beaches in China.Numerical results show that tsunami waves from the Pacific Ocean could affect the East China Sea coast through gaps between the Ryukyu Islands.The Zhejiang and Shanghai coasts would be threatened by a tsunami from Ryukyu Trench,and the coasts of Hainan and Guangdong provinces would be threatened by a tsunami from the Manila Trench.The tsunami hazard associated with the Philippine Trench scenario needs particular attention.Owing to China’s offshore topography,the sequential order of tsunami arrival times to coastal provinces in several tsunami scenarios is almost the same.According to the tsunami hazard analysis results,Yalongwan Beach and eight other bathing beaches are at the highest hazard level.A high-resolution numerical calculation model was established to analyze the tsunami physical characteristics for the high-risk bathing beaches.To explore mitigating effects of a tsunami disaster,this study simulated tsunami propagation with the addition of seawalls.The experimental results show that the tsunami prevention seawalls constructed in an appropriate shallow water location have some effect on reducing tsunami hazard.Seawalls separated by a certain distance work even better.The analysis results can provide a scientific reference for subsequent preventive measures such as facility construction and evacuation.

A Comparative Study on the Bathing Cultures and the Spread of Plague Between China and the West-Taking the Spread of the Black Death in China and Europe in the 14th Century as an Example

An unprecedented catastrophe shrouded over the Chinese Empire ruled by the Yuan Dynasty and Medieval Europe-the Black Death during the 14th century with rapid spread,widespread impact,serious damage to property,and substantial deaths and injuries.In the aftermath of the Black Death,lifestyle changes were made and more sensible bathing habits evolved.In feudal China,Bathing Culture had variously adapted to each dynasty;while its existence in the West was heavily influenced by religion and other factors.In the post-pandemic era,this paper is dedicated to exploring the possible relevance of Bathing Cultures to the Black Death,and to conducting a comparative study of the plague spread in Yuan and Europe and its impact on ethnic Bathing Cultures,reckoning to present informative information to regular prevention and control of the following pandemics.

BATHING IN MANGPU HOT SPRING IN LHATSE

Lhastse County in Shigatse Prefecture is well-known by multiple names such as the "North Entrance of theQ omolangma,""Food Grains Storage,""Hometown of Tibetan Knives,""Hometown of Dorxic (a kind of Tibetan music)" and also "the Way to Pilgrim". "Lhastse", in Tibetan, refers to the "Summit of Manitou". Int he secular world, it is called "Laxog" meaning "the holy place where the sunlight first touches" Naturally, some scholars prefer to dub "Lhastse" as"a place suffering from drought".

宝宝发烧了能不能洗澡

宝宝发烧了,可以洗澡吗?关于这个问题,不少家长很是纠结,一方面担心洗澡可能会让宝宝着凉加重病情,另一方面又怕不洗澡,宝宝身上黏糊糊的会很难受。这可如何是好?

“洗澡”有讲究

宝宝,你会洗澡吗?你会给水果和蔬菜“洗澡”吗?针对不同的水果和蔬菜,“洗澡”方法各不相同。一起来了解一下,并试着做一做吧!

抚触和洗澡对新生儿生长发育的影响

探讨在促进新生儿人群的生长发育过程中使用两种方式所发挥的作用,一种是抚触,一种是洗澡,实施后,探讨其对新生儿人群的睡眠时间、恢复出生体重时间、胎粪排尽时间、排便次数、智力发育情况、生长发育情况(头围、身高以及体重)的影响。方法 本文的实验中选择58例病例,为新生儿人群,分成两组,选取时间是2022年1-12月,一组作为对照,为29例,为对照组,实施常规护理,而另一组是研究目标,也是29例,开展的护理方式增加了两种方式,一种是抚触,一种是洗澡,在干预完成后,对组间差异进行明确,具体涉及新生儿人群的睡眠时间、恢复出生体重时间、胎粪排尽时间、排便次数、智力发育情况、生长发育情况(头围、身高以及体重)。结果 对比睡眠时间得出研究组更长,恢复出生体重时间更短,胎粪排尽时间更短,排便次数更多,智力发育情况分值更高,生长发育情况(头围、身高以及体重)在干预后更高,P<0.05,而对比生长发育情况(头围、身高以及体重)干预前数据为P>0.05。结论 在促进新生儿人群的生长发育过程中使用两种方式所发挥的作用,一种是抚触,一种是洗澡,实施后,其对新生儿人群的睡眠时间、恢复出生体重时间、胎粪排尽时间、排便次数、智力发育情况、生长发育情况(头围、身高以及体重)均显著改善。

冬季洗澡这6个错误别犯

在寒冷的天气里洗个热水澡,是一件非常惬意的事情。但很多人可能没想过,就是这样让身心愉悦的事情,在冬天却容易变成一种“伤害”。冬季洗澡,这6个错误别犯1.洗澡时间过长。洗澡时间超过30分钟,会导致交感神经长时间兴奋,心跳和血压上升,心脏负担增大。另一方面也容易导致皮肤屏障功能受损,一旦这道“城墙”受损,皮肤的抗病能力无形之中就会减弱,皮肤瘙痒也就找上门了。