Effect of spa treatment and speleotherapy in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our research was to determine the effect of Speleotherapy on the quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with COPD. Design: Pilot study. Participants: The 128 patients with CPOD participated in the study (average age 64.05), examined during a spa treatment in a sanatoriums in the High Tatras. The experimental group (29 patients) completed spa treatment and Speleotherapy in the Belianska Cave. The control group (99 patients) completed a spa treatment without Speleotherapy. All patients were examined on admission and discharge, for an average 20-day treatment stay. Methods: They were evaluated on the basis of the quality of life (SGRQ), Beck and Zung, the Spirometric Test (FEV1 and FEV1/FVC) and the 6-minute Walk Test. Results: After the treatment, concerning the patients of the experimental group we recorded that within the evaluation of quality of life there was significant improvement in symptoms (p<0.05). There was also statistically significant improvement in anxiety and the six-minute Walk Test (p<0.05). Conclusion: The pilot study shows that spa treatment along with Speleotherapy improves the quality of life and anxiety in patients with COPD. However, there is a need for prolonged study with more patients in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of this therapy.