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. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Minagawa, Tomonori; Saitou, Tetsuichi; Suzuki, Toshiro; Domen, Takahisa; Yokoyama, Hitoshi; Ishikawa, Masakuni; Hirakata, Shiro; Nagai, Takashi; Nakazawa, Masaki; Ogawa, Teruyuki; Ishizuka, Osamu
• Is Part Of: BMC complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: ao-dake-humi -- Lower urinary tract symptoms -- Constipation -- Hypersensitivity to cold -- Urinary bladder -- Colon -- Skin -- Neuromodulation -- Reflexology; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; Complementary Therapies -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1494-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6882

Abstract

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 ofao-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 startingao-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 ofao-dake-humi on LUTS. To evaluate the objective efficacy ofao-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 ofao-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 ofao-dake-humi . The use ofao-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 afterao-dake-humi use. Conclusion The results of this prospective pilot study indicated thatao-dake-humi is safe and has therapeutic efficacy in cases of LUTS, constipation and HC. The possibility of usingao-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.