Effect of Neutral Immersion Bath with Epsom Salt on Hypertensive Individuals

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Aquatic bath with Epsom salt is a simple and effective Hydrotherapy treatment used in Naturopathy, which
has a deep-rooted biological effect. Full immersion is generally given in the management of hypertension. This study has
been done to assess the effect of Neutral Immersion Bath (NIB) with Epsom salt on blood pressure and heart rate variability
(HRV) and thereby to substantiate the clinical understanding of its effect on Hypertensive individuals. METHODS:
Randomized controlled trial with 100 subjects diagnosed with hypertension belonging to the age group of 30 to 50 years
were recruited for the study and were randomly allocated into Group I NIB with Epsom salt given, and Group II was in
supine rest. Subjects underwent the intervention or supine rest for about 20 minutes. They were assessed for blood pressure
and heart rate variability before and after the intervention. RESULTS: After 20 minutes of NIB with Epsom salt showed a
significant reduction in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and HRV attained reduction in the frequency domain and a
significant increase in the time domain values compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The result of the study
reported that NIB with Epsom salt shows reduced sympathetic tone with parasympathetic dominance. Hence, it can be
concluded that can be effectively used in the management of hypertension.