25636135
OBJECTIVE	Chronic tension-type headache ( CTTH ) is a chronic syndrome characterized by frequent headache occurring more than 15 days per month .
OBJECTIVE	The intensity and duration of headache pain can be very distressing and disabling on an individuals ' well-being .
OBJECTIVE	The purpose of this study was to examine the applicability of sauna bathing as a new method of treatment for reducing pain in patients with CTTH .
METHODS	Thirty-seven people who fulfilled the International Headache Society criteria for CTTH were randomly assigned into two groups .
METHODS	The control group ( n = 20 ) received advice and education while the intervention group ( n = 17 ) received the same advice and attended a sauna regularly for 8 weeks .
METHODS	Reductions in subjective pain were determined using the numerical pain rating scale ( NPRS ) .
METHODS	Disturbance in sleep , depression as assessed by Beckman Disability Index ( BDI ) , and Headache Disability Index ( HDI ) were measured .
RESULTS	Mean change in headache intensity significantly differed between the sauna and control group by 1.27 ( 95 % confidence interval , 0.48-2 .07 ; F = 10.17 ; df = 1 , 117 ; p = 0.002 ) .
RESULTS	There was no statistically significant change in duration of headache or improvement in sleep , depression , or HDI between the sauna and control groups .
CONCLUSIONS	Regular sauna bathing is a simple , self-directed treatment that is effective for reducing headache pain intensity in CTTH .

