Figure 4.

IRB challenge-induced changes in ACTH (ΔACTH) and CRP (ΔCRP) before and after thermal interventions (box plots).

Notes: Left panel: within-group mean difference in ACTH. Right panel: within-group mean difference in CRP. The box plots are superimposed to the dot plots. Closed and open squares indicate IRB-induced changes before and after MBT interventions, respectively, while closed and open triangles are IRB-induced changes before and after LTA interventions, respectively. Mean lines, single outlier, and extreme values are also reported as indicated by the legend.

Abbreviations: ACTH, adrenocorticotrophic hormone; CRP, C-reactive protein; IRB, inspiratory resistive breathing; LTA, leisure thermal activity; MBT, mud bath therapy.