Effects of Illite Thermotherapy on NK Cells, Serotonin, and BDNF in Cancer Survivors

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to obtain empirical evidence for the effects of illite thermotherapy on the levels of NK cells, serotonin, and BDNF among cancer survivors. 10 subjects were selected in this study based on the results calculated using G*Power 3.1 with power (type 1-2 error [β]) = .85 and significance level (α) = .05. Ten women aged 45.7±10.91 years residing in G city, Korea, were enrolled in the study. All participants had experienced cancer. During the study period, all participants used an illite hot water mat from six to eight hours per day for four weeks while sleeping. The paired t-test was used to compare differences in NK cells, serotonin, and BDNF levels between week 0 and week 4, between week 4 and week 6, and between week 6 and week 10. As a result of a 10-week experiment of using an Illight mat and a hot-water mat on 10 cancer patients for 10 weeks, the changes in body composition showed significant differences in body weight, BMI, body fat mass, and body fat percentage. The number of NK cells was significantly increased after two weeks of washout (p<.05). Serotonin levels decreased significantly after two weeks of washout (p<.01). BDNF decreased significantly after ten weeks of thermotherapy (p<.01).

Conclusionally, based on the findings of the present study, a follow-up study with an extended period of the use of an illite hot water mat and a larger sample size is necessary.