Physiological Effects of Short and Prolonged Cold Spinal Bath on Heart rate variability and respiratory rate in healthy volunteers

Background: Cold spinal bath is a widely used hydrotherapy treatment modality in naturopathy for therapeutic as well as rejuvenation purpose. Short and prolonged effects of cold spinal bath at 18 to 24°C has not been previously assessed. Aim: This study aims to evaluate physiological effects of short and prolonged duration. Materials & Methods: 60 healthy volunteers of both genders aged between 18 to 25 years were recruited. Subjects were randomly allocated into study and control groups. Study group received cold spinal bath for 30 min and control group subjects entered and remained in the spinal bath tub without water for 30 min. Assessment were done during treatment in both the groups. Results: There was a significant increase in MEAN Respiratory (RR) from 15th to 30th min, significant decrease in MEAN Heart rate (HR) from 5th to 30th min, whereas significant decrease in RR from 1st to 30th min in study group when compared to control group. Within control group significant increase in MEAN RR, decrease in MEAN HR from 15th to 30th min and significant decrease in LF at 15th min. Within the study group there was a significant decrease in MEAN RR, RMSSD, NN50, increase in MEAN HR, LF, LF/HF ratio at 5th min. At 10th min significant decrease in MEAN RR, increase in MEAN HR. At 25th min significant increase in LF, LF/HF ratio, decrease in HF, RR was decreased significantly from 5th to 15th min. Conclusion: Cold spinal bath for the short duration produces sympathetic dominance and prolonged duration produces parasympathetic dominance.