Table 1.
Exclusion criteria and safety considerations in the included studies.
| Author | Exclusion Criteria | Safety Considerations | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Intervention Preparation | Post-Intervention Management | ||
| Brunt et al. [18] | • Health problems; cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, recent surgery, dermatological conditions, and history of heat-related illness • All medication for 24 h, alcohol and caffeine intake for 12 h, and heavy exercise for 24 h prior to experiment • Pregnant woman |
• If the first morning urine specific gravity was >1.024, subjects drank 5 mL/kg water • Rectal thermistors were used as a safety precaution |
• Subjects were transferred to a recovery chair for at least 10 min, or until rectal temperature had fallen below 38.5 °C |
| Shimodozono et al. [19] | • Health problems and cardiovascular disease • All medication and supplements • Women; to avoid hormonal effect of the menstrual cycle |
• Water immersion was performed after overnight fast • Subjects drank only 300 mL of water at 7 A.M. |
• Subjects were kept warm and were wrapped in a blanket for 30 min |
| Bailey et al. [20] | • Health problems, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases • All medication (including hormonal contraceptives) and smoking • Women with irregular menstrual cycles (~28 days) |
• Checking alcohol intake, exercise for 24 h and caffeine intake for 12 h prior to experiment | • Laboratory temperature was controlled (21 °C and 45% relative humidity) |
| Costello et al. [21] | • Health problems; Raynaud’s disease, ankle or knee injuries for 12 months prior to experiment, and history of ear or vestibular conditions | - | • Subjects wore clothes and were transferred to the laboratory |
| Herrera et al. [22] | • Health problems; peripheral vascular disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, skeletal muscle disorders, recent trauma or injury to leg, local hot or cold insensitivity, cold adverse reactions, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and pregnancy | • Subjects attended intervention at the same time (e.g., 2–6 P.M.) • Checking alcohol, caffeine, or chocolate intake for 2 h, and exercise for 4 h prior to experiment |
• Subjects were transferred to a warm room at 24 °C • Leg was quickly dried without friction |
| Hu et al. [23] | • Health problems and any disease known to affect the cardiovascular system • Smoking and regular physical activity • Medication for disease treatment; diabetes, metabolic disease, and cardiovascular disease • Estrogen-replacement therapy • Regular thermal therapy; sauna, bathing, and footbath • Young women not were scheduled in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle • Older women before menopause |
• Checking alcohol or caffeine intake, vigorous exercise, and bathing for 24 h prior to experiment | - |
| Wakabayashi et al. [24] | • Health problems and history of repeated cold exposure or cold-induced illness | • All measurements were conducted at the same time of the day to reduce circadian effects | - |
| Brunt et al. [25] | • Health problems and history of cardiovascular-related diseases • All medication (including hormonal contraceptives) • Pregnancy and using urine human chorionic gonadotropin (only women) |
• Subjects were confirmed to be in a state of euhydration via urine-specific gravity (<1.02) • If the specific gravity was >1.02, subjects drank 5 mL/kg water |
• Subjects were monitored for 10 min, or until rectal temperature had fallen below 38.5 °C • Dry nude body weight of subjects was measured to calculate the mean whole-body sweat rate, after correcting for water intake during immersion |
| Streff et al. [26] | • Health problems; any medical, neurological, psychiatric, or psychological disorders, and substance abuse (e.g., nicotine) • All medication (except oral contraceptives) • Alcohol intake for 24 h prior to experiment |
- | - |
| Wijayanto et al. [27] | - | • Checking eating, intake of alcohol or caffeinated beverages, smoking, and exercise for at least 2 h prior to experiment | - |
| Kojima et al. [28] | • Medication for disease treatment and medical or psychological condition • Smoking and regular exercise |
• Checking eating and drinking of any fluid except tap water | - |
| Valizadeh et al. [29] | • Health problems; enuresis, use the other complementary treatment except hypnotic drugs, and diabetes for more than 10 years | - | - |
| Kim et al. [30] | • Health problems; foot injuries, sensory disorder, acute disease, peripheral vascular disease, schizophrenia, pain or infection, and difficulties in communicating | - | • Subjects were examined for any redness or pain while completely drying feet • Subjects wore socks to keep their feet warm |