From: Doug Skrecky (oberon@vcn.bc.ca)
Date: Sat Jul 03 1999 - 19:16:44 MDT
Citations: 1-4
<1>
Authors
Ryushi T. Kita I. Sakurai T. Yasumatsu M. Isokawa M. Aihara Y. Hama K.
Institution
Department of Exercise and Sports Science, Faculty of Science, Tokyo
Metropolitan University, Japan.
Title
The effect of exposure to negative air ions
on the recovery of physiological responses after moderate endurance exercise.
Source
International Journal of Biometeorology. 41(3):132-6, 1998 Feb.
Abstract
This study examined the effects of negative air ion exposure
on the human cardiovascular and endocrine systems during rest and during the
recovery period following moderate endurance exercise. Ten healthy adult men
were studied in the presence (8,000-10,000 cm-3) or absence (200-400 cm-3) of
negative air ions (25 degrees C, 50%
humidity) after 1 h of exercise. The level of exercise was adjusted to
represent a 50-60% load compared with the subjects' maximal oxygen uptake,
which was determined using a bicycle ergometer in an unmodified environment
(22-23 degrees C, 30-35% humidity, 200-400 negative air
ions.cm-3). The diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values during
the recovery period were significantly lower in the presence of
negative ions than in their absence. The
plasma levels of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) were significantly lower
in the presence of negative ions than in
their absence. These results demonstrated that exposure to
negative air ions produced a slow recovery
of DBP and decreases in the levels of 5-HT and DA in the recovery period
after moderate endurance exercise. 5-HT is thought to have contributed to the
slow recovery of DBP.
<2>
Authors
Watanabe I. Noro H. Ohtsuka Y. Mano Y. Agishi Y.
Institution
Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Hokkaido University
School of Medicine, Sapporo City, Japan.
Title
Physical effects of negative air ions in a
wet sauna.
Source
International Journal of Biometeorology. 40(2):107-12, 1997 Apr.
Abstract
The physical effects of negative air ions
on humans were determined in an experimental sauna room equipped with an
ionizer. Thirteen healthy persons took a wet sauna bath (dry bulb temperature
42 degrees C, relative humidity 100%, 10 min exposure) with or without
negative air ions. The subjects were not
told when they were being exposed to negative air
ions. There were no differences in the moods of these
persons or changes in their blood pressures between the two saunas. The
surface temperatures of the foreheads, hands, and legs in the sauna with
negative ions were significantly higher
than those in the sauna without ions. The pulse rates and
sweat produced in the sauna with ions were significantly
higher than those in the sauna without ions. The results
suggest that negative ions may amplify the
effects on humans of the sauna.
<3>
Authors
Terman M. Terman JS.
Institution
Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Title
Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with a high-output
negative ionizer.
Source
Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. 1(1):87-92, 1995 Jan.
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate the antidepressant effect of
negative ions in the ambient air as a
potential treatment modality for seasonal affective disorder. Twenty-five
subjects with winter depression underwent a double-blind controlled trial of
negative ions at two exposure densities, 1
x 10(4) ions/cm3 or 2.7 x 10(6) ions/cm3,
using an electronic negative ion generator with wire corona
emitters. Home treatments were taken in the early morning for 30 min over 20
days, followed by withdrawals. The severity of depressive symptoms
(prominently including the reverse neurovegetative symptoms of hypersomnia,
hyperphagia, and fatigability) decreased selectively for the group receiving
high-density treatment. Standard depression rating scale assessments were
corroborated by clinical impressions. When a remission
criterion of 50% or greater reduction in symptom frequency/severity was used,
58% of subjects responded to high-density treatment while 15% responded to
low-density treatment (chi 2 = 5.00, df = 1, p = 0.025). There were no side
effects attributable to the treatment, and all subjects who responded showed
subsequent relapse during withdrawal. Treatment with a high-density
negative ionizer appears to act as a specific antidepressant
for patients with seasonal affective disorder. The method may be useful as an
alternative or supplement to light therapy and medications.
<4>
Authors
Daniell W. Camp J. Horstman S.
Institution
Department of Environmental Health, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Title
Trial of a negative ion generator device in remediating
problems related to indoor air quality.
Source
Journal of Occupational Medicine. 33(6):681-7, 1991 Jun.
Abstract
It has been suggested that supplementation of indoor air with
negative ions can improve air quality. This
study examined the effects of a "negative ion-generator"
device on air contaminants and symptom reporting in two office buildings.
Separate sets of functional and nonfunctional negative ion
generators were monitored using a double blind, crossover design involving
two 5-week exposure periods. There were no detectable direct or residual
effects of negative ion generator use on air ion levels,
airborn particulates, carbon dioxide levels, or symptom reporting. Symptom
reporting declined at both sites initially and appeared to be consistent with
placebo effect. Job dissatisfaction was an apparent contributor to symptom
reporting, with a magnitude comparable to presumed effects of air quality.
Further testing of such devices is needed before they should be considered
for office air quality problems.
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