MedPath

Temperature-dependent Changes in Cardiovascular Parameters During Warm Water Footbaths in Healthy Women

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Cardiovascular System
Warm Footbath
Autonomic Nervous System
Interventions
Other: 38°C warm water footbath
Other: 38-42°C rising temperature footbath
Other: 40°C warm water footbath
Other: 42°C warm water footbath
Registration Number
NCT04579497
Lead Sponsor
ARCIM Institute Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Brief Summary

A study to explore whether different temperatures of warm water footbaths have different effects on the cardiovascular system, the autonomic nervous system and the general well-being of healthy women.

Detailed Description

This is a blinded, four-arm randomized controlled trial with crossover design to explore the effects of warm water footbaths with different water temperatures on cardiovascular stress, reaction of the autonomic nervous system and a feeling of comfort and warmth in healthy female volunteers. Cardiovascular and ANS measurements are performed continuously throughout the interventions and the participants rate their feelings of warmth, general well-being and the footbath-related comfort with questionnaires.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
28
Inclusion Criteria
  • Written informed consent
  • Age between 18 and 55 years
Exclusion Criteria
  • Male sex
  • Chronic skin lesions at the lower legs or feet
  • Varicose veins grade 3 and grade 4 (Marshall stage classification), chronic venous insufficiency
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Cardiac pacemaker
  • Asthma bronchiale
  • Consumption of HRV-modulating medication (especially tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers)
  • Pregnancy
  • Insufficient knowledge of the German language

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
38° C footbath38°C warm water footbathFootbath with warm water at a constant temperature of 38° C
Rising temperature footbath38-42°C rising temperature footbathFootbath with warm water rising from 38° C to 42° C
40° C footbath40°C warm water footbathFootbath with warm water at a constant temperature of 40° C
42° C footbath42°C warm water footbathFootbath with warm water at a constant temperature of 42° C
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pressure Rate Product (PRP) at timepoint t5 (footbath minute 21-30)Timepoint 5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the 30-minute footbath)

Pressure Rate Product (PRP), calculated from systolic blood pressure (measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) and heart rate (measured with the Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder) at timepoint 5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21 to minute 30 of the footbath).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in RMSSDPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

RMSSD: Root mean square of successive differences (ms) (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis: Change in SDNNPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

SDNN: Standard deviation of normal to normal (NN) intervals (ms) (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in LF/HF ratioPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

LF/HF ratio = ratio of two bands from frequency domain analysis: LF band (0.04-0.15 Hz), HF band (0.15-0.40 Hz) (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in SD2/SD1 ratioPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

SD2/SD1 ratio, derived from Poincaré plot (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Respiration RatePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Respiration rate (1/min) (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Stiffness IndexPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Stiffness Index, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Pressure Rate Product (PRP) at timepoints t1 (minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (minute 11-20 of the footbath), and t7 (minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).Physiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Pressure Rate Product (PRP), calculated from systolic blood pressure (measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) and heart rate (measured with the Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder) at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1 to minute 10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1 to minute 10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11 to minute 20 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1 to minute 10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in VLFPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

VLF: Very low frequency power band (0.0033-0.04 Hz) (ms2) from frequency domain analysis (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Mean Heart RatePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Mean heart rate (bpm) (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in TimeTXPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

TimeTX (ms), measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in LFPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

LF: Low frequency power band (0.04-0.15 Hz) (ms2) from frequency domain analysis (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Stress IndexPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Stress Index (SI) according to Baevsky's formula SI = AMo/2Mo\*MxDMn (Mo = mode, AMo = mode amplitude, MxDMn = variation range of RR intervals) (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in pNN50Physiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

pNN50: Percentage of successive NN intervals that differ from each other by more than 50 ms (%) (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in HFPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

HF: High frequency power band (0.15-0.40 Hz) (ms2) from frequency domain analysis (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Peak to Peak TimePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Peak to Peak Time (PPT, ms), measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in SlopeInW1Physiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

SlopeInW1, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in SlopeInW2Physiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

SlopeInW2, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in AreaAVPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

AreaAV, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Heart Rate/Respiration Rate ratioPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Heart rate/respiration rate ratio (Bittium Faros 360TM ECG recorder). Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Perfusion IndexPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Perfusion Index, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in SlopeInW3Physiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

SlopeInW3, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Reflection IndexPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Reflection Index, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Pulse Wave VelocityPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV, m/s), measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in warmth perception at the feetImmediately before (timepoint 2, t2), immediately after (timepoint 6, t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8) (length of footbath is up to 30 minutes).

Self-reported warmth perception at both feet, assessed with the "Herdecke warmth perception questionnaire" immediately before (timepoint 2, t2), immediately after (timepoint 6, t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8). Each item is scored 0-4 (0 = cold; 4 = hot), yielding a mean between 0 and 4.

Change in SlopeInW4Physiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

SlopeInW4, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in TimeTYPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

TimeTY (ms), measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in QuotTYTXPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

QuotTYTX, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in AreaAXPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

AreaAX, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Cardiac OutputPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Cardiac Output (l/min), measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in overall warmth perceptionImmediately before (timepoint 2, t2), immediately after (timepoint 6, t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8) (length of footbath is up to 30 minutes).

Self-reported overall warmth perception, assessed with the "Herdecke warmth perception questionnaire" immediately before (timepoint 2, t2), immediately after (timepoint 6, t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8). The item is scored 0-4 (0 = cold; 4 = hot).

Change in TimeTVPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

TimeTV (ms), measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in QuotTVTWPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

QuotTVTW, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Stroke VolumePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Stroke Volume (ml), measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Augmentation IndexPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Augmentation Index, measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in AreaAYPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

AreaAY, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in QuotAYAXPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

QuotAYAX, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in TimeTWPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

TimeTW (ms), measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Oxygen SaturationPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Oxygen saturation (SpO2, %), measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Pulse Transit TimePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Pulse Transit Time (PTT, ms), measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Mean Arterial PressurePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Mean Arterial Pressure (mmHg), measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Pulse PressurePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Pulse Pressure (mmHg), measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in AreaAWPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

AreaAW, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in QuotAVAWPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

QuotAVAW, measured with the Vitaguard® VG 3100 monitor, getemed, Germany. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Systolic Blood PressurePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg), measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Diastolic Blood PressurePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Diastolic Blood Pressure (mmHg), measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Cardiac IndexPhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Cardiac Index, measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in general well-beingImmediately before (timepoint 2, t2), immediately after (timepoint 6, t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8) (length of footbath is up to 30 minutes).

Self-reported well-being, assessed with the "Basler Befindlichkeits-Skala" (Basel Mood Questionnaire, BBS) immediately before (t2), immediately after (t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (t8) (BBS: 16 items; 7-point rating scale; higher values represent a better outcome).

Change in Peripheral ResistancePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Peripheral Resistance, measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in Augmentation PressurePhysiological parameters are measured continuously (Vitaguard® VG 3100, GETEMED; Bittium Faros 360TM) and every 2 min (Mobil-O-Graph® PWA) for a total duration of 50 min.

Augmentation Pressure (mmHg), measured with the Mobil-O-Graph® PWA. Measurements analysed at timepoints t1 (t1 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the pre-intervention rest period), t3 (t3 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the footbath), t4 (t4 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 11-20 of the footbath), t5 (t5 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 21-30 of the footbath), and t7 (t7 = mean of the measurements recorded from minute 1-10 of the post-intervention rest period).

Change in warmth perception at the handsImmediately before (timepoint 2, t2), immediately after (timepoint 6, t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8) (length of footbath is up to 30 minutes).

Self-reported warmth perception at both hands, assessed with the "Herdecke warmth perception questionnaire" immediately before (timepoint 2, t2), immediately after (timepoint 6, t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8). Each item is scored 0-4 (0 = cold; 4 = hot), yielding a mean between 0 and 4.

Change in warmth perception at the headImmediately before (timepoint 2, t2), immediately after (timepoint 6, t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8) (length of footbath is up to 30 minutes).

Self-reported warmth perception at the head, assessed with the "Herdecke warmth perception questionnaire" immediately before (timepoint 2, t2), immediately after (timepoint 6, t6) and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8). Each item is scored 0-4 (0 = cold; 4 = hot), yielding a mean between 0 and 4.

Change in feeling of comfort during footbathImmediately before the footbath (timepoint 2, t2), every 6 minutes during the 30-minute footbath, and 10 minutes following the footbath (timepoint 8, t8).

Self-reported footbath comfort, assessed with a 7-point face scale ranging from "very comfortable" (laughing face) to "very hard stress" (crying face).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Arcim Institute

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Filderstadt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

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