Background: Ao-dake-humi is a traditional Japanese bamboo foot stimulator consisting of a half-pipe-shaped step\nmade of bamboo used to stimulate the foot by stepping on it, and is commonly used to promote general health\namong the elderly in Japan. However, its efficacy has not been reported in the scientific literature. This study was\nperformed to investigate the role of ao-dake-humi focusing on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), constipation,\nand hypersensitivity to cold (HC).\nMethods: Participants with LUTS, constipation, or HC were enrolled in this study. Ao-dake-humi was used twice a\nday for 28 days. Before and 28 days after starting ao-dake-humi use, international prostate symptom score (IPSS),\nquality-of-life (QoL) score, and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) were measured to evaluate the efficacy\nof ao-dake-humi on LUTS. To evaluate the objective efficacy of ao-dake-humi on LUTS, a frequency-volume chart\n(FVC) was plotted in LUTS patients for 3 days. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the efficacy of\nao-dake-humi on constipation (VAS-constipation) and HC (VAS-HC) in the participants with constipation or HC.\nResults: A total of 24 participants were enrolled in this study. Twenty-one participants had LUTS, 11 had\nconstipation, and 17 participants had HC. IPSS, especially storage-subscore, QoL score and OABSS, decreased\nsignificantly after use of ao-dake-humi. The use of ao-dake-humi increased maximal bladder capacity, resulting in\na significant decrease in urinary frequency as determined from the FVC. In accordance with the results of VAS constipation\nand VAS-HC, both constipation and HC were significantly relieved after ao-dake-humi use.\nConclusion: The results of this prospective pilot study indicated that ao-dake-humi is safe and has therapeutic\nefficacy in cases of LUTS, constipation and HC. The possibility of using ao-dake-humi as physical neuromodulation\ntherapy was shown in the management of LUTS, constipation and HC.
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