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- Title
Impact of ao-dake-humi, Japanese traditional bamboo foot stimulator, on lower urinary tract symptoms, constipation and hypersensitivity to cold: a single-arm prospective pilot study.
- Authors
Tomonori Minagawa; Tetsuichi Saitou; Toshiro Suzuki; Takahisa Domen; Hitoshi Yokoyama; Masakuni Ishikawa; Shiro Hirakata; Takashi Nagai; Masaki Nakazawa; Teruyuki Ogawa; Osamu Ishizuka
- Abstract
Background: Ao-dake-humi is a traditional Japanese bamboo foot stimulator consisting of a half-pipe-shaped step made of bamboo used to stimulate the foot by stepping on it, and is commonly used to promote general health among the elderly in Japan. However, its efficacy has not been reported in the scientific literature. This study was performed to investigate the role of ao-dake-humi focusing on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), constipation, and hypersensitivity to cold (HC). Methods: Participants with LUTS, constipation, or HC were enrolled in this study. Ao-dake-humi was used twice a day for 28 days. Before and 28 days after starting ao-dake-humi use, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality-of-life (QoL) score, and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) were measured to evaluate the efficacy of ao-dake-humi on LUTS. To evaluate the objective efficacy of ao-dake-humi on LUTS, a frequency-volume chart (FVC) was plotted in LUTS patients for 3 days. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the efficacy of ao-dake-humi on constipation (VAS-constipation) and HC (VAS-HC) in the participants with constipation or HC. Results: A total of 24 participants were enrolled in this study. Twenty-one participants had LUTS, 11 had constipation, and 17 participants had HC. IPSS, especially storage-subscore, QoL score and OABSS, decreased significantly after use of ao-dake-humi. The use of ao-dake-humi increased maximal bladder capacity, resulting in a significant decrease in urinary frequency as determined from the FVC. In accordance with the results of VAS-constipation and VAS-HC, both constipation and HC were significantly relieved after ao-dake-humi use. Conclusion: The results of this prospective pilot study indicated that ao-dake-humi is safe and has therapeutic efficacy in cases of LUTS, constipation and HC. The possibility of using ao-dake-humi as physical neuromodulation therapy was shown in the management of LUTS, constipation and HC. Trial registration: UMIN000019333 (UMIN-CTR, Registered October-15-2015) retrospectively registered.
- Subjects
JAPAN; ALLERGY treatment; CONSTIPATION; THERAPEUTICS; URINARY tract infection treatment; REFLEXOTHERAPY; COLD (Temperature); FOOT; LONGITUDINAL method; PROBABILITY theory; SAFETY; PILOT projects; HOME environment; VISUAL analog scale; TREATMENT effectiveness; DATA analysis software; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; EQUIPMENT &; supplies
- Publication
BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2016, Vol 16, p1
- ISSN
1472-6882
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s12906-016-1494-1