Objective and subjective assessment in balneotherapy: a systematic review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Natural mineral water has been used for its healing properties since ancient times, with balneotherapy being a non-pharmacological method of treating and preventing various diseases. However, it is critical to conduct a comprehensive assessment of patients receiving balneotherapy to construct safe and effective intervention programmes and assess their effectiveness. The purpose of this systematic review was the investigation of the objective and subjective assessment tools used in balneotherapy. The current study was performed from January 2000 to July 2022 in 6 databases in accordance with PRISMA standards. According to the findings, all the included studies relied on objective assessments using tools and functional tests conducted on dry land. Patient-reported outcomes primarily related to general health and quality of life were used for subjective assessments. However, no specific assessment tools for balneotherapy were identified in the review, and no wearable sensors or smart technology were utilised for real-time monitoring to ensure patient safety. This review underlines the importance of a comprehensive assessment protocol in balneotherapy, environing both land and aquatic assessments and integrating smart technology. More research is needed to develop objective and subjective assessment tools to enhance treatment effectiveness and ensure patient safety.