Effect of Cold Pack during Passive Heat Therapy on Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Individuals

Background: Passive heat therapy is commonly used intervention in complementary and alternative medical system (CAM) for preventing and treating various ailments, relaxation, promotion of health and well-being. It has effect on autonomic, cardiovascular, hormonal, excretory and musculoskeletal system. Heart rate variability (HRV) has been used to indicate cardiac autonomic response and analysis the cardiovascular responses to heat stress. Clinically some forms of passive heat therapy are practiced with modification of using cold pack to avoid heat stress. The current study is designed to evaluate the effect of cold pack during passive heating therapy in healthy individuals on heart rate variability Materials and Methodology: Thirty healthy male and female volunteers between 18-30 years of age were divided into two groups. Group one underwent steam bath with cold chest pack on day-1 and steam bath without cold chest pack on day-2, the second group undergone in reverse order. Assessment was taken 5 minutes before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using R software. Results: A significant decrease in average low frequency band (LF), LF/HF ratio and a significant increase in average high frequency band (HF) were observed in SBCPK group when compared to SB group. Conclusions: The application of cold pack in passive heating therapy induces lesser sympathetic arousal than regular steam bath.