Effects Of Balneotherapy Research Articles

Effects of balneotherapy on the reactants of acute inflammation phase in Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects sacroiliac joints, spinal column and peripheral joints. Beside medication therapy, physical and balneotherapy play an important role in its complex treatment. The aim of the research was to establish serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP), ceruloplasmine (CP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (SE) before and after the balneotherapy in ankylosing spondylitis. The research included 50 AS patients according to the revised New York criteria, of mean age 43 years, who were treated for 14 days on the average at the Clinic for Rheumatology of the Institute "Niska Banja". All the patients received medications and balneotherapy (radioactive oligomineral baths, peloid, massage, kinesitherapy); the serum concentrations of CRP, al-AGP, CP and SE were measured before and after balneotherapy. Serum proteins were determined using original Nor Partigen plates Boehringer. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was measured by Westergreen method. Balneotherapy was applied individually, intensively or mildly, depending on the AS stage and activity phase. After dosed balneotherapy, a significant decrease in the concentrations of CP (p < 0.05), alpha1-AGP (p < 0.01) and CRP (p < 0.05) was registered in the serums of AS patients. ESR was not significantly reduced. The research proved that alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmine and C-reactive protein represent more sensitive inflammation markers as compared to erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The identification of acute phase reactants is important in the evaluation of dosed balneotherapy efficiency in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.

Effectiveness of Balneotherapy in Chronic Low Back Pain – a Randomized Single-Blind Controlled Follow-up Study

Objective: Balneotherapy, a domain of medical science, focuses onutilizing the beneficial effects of medicinal waters. Low back pain isamong the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders affecting alarge proportion of the population during their lifetime. Althoughsmall in number, all controlled studies published on this subjecthave demonstrated the benefits of balneotherapy. This presentstudy was undertaken to compare the effects of hydrotherapy withmineral water vs. tap water on low back pain. Patients and Methods:A single-blind clinical study was carried out to appraise thetherapeutic efficacy of reduced sulphurous water on 60 patientswith low back pain. 30 subjects took baths in reduced sulphurousmineral water, whereas the other 30 patients used modified tapwater of matching odor. Parameters determined at baseline, afterbalneo-/hydrotherapy, and at the end of the 3-month follow-up periodincluded the results of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score,the modified Oswestry index, mobility of the spine, antalgic posture,tenderness of the paravertebral muscles on palpation, the doserequirements for analgesics, and the efficacy assessed by the investigatorsand by the patients. Results: Bathing in mineral waterresulted in a statistically significant improvement. This was reflectedby the VAS (p < 0.01) and manifested by the mitigation of musclespasm (p < 0.01), the alleviation of local tenderness (p < 0.01),the enhanced flexion-extension and rotation of the spine (p < 0.01)as well as by the improvement of the Schober’s index (p < 0.01). Allthese beneficial changes persisted as long as 3 months after thecompletion of balneotherapy. By contrast, hydrotherapy with tapwater resulted only in the temporary improvement of just a singleparameter: the VAS score improved significantly (p < 0.01). Conclusions:Balneotherapy in itself can alleviate low back pain. As demonstratedby this study, the analgesic efficacy and improvementof mobility accomplished by the use of mineral water is significantlysuperior to that afforded by hydrotherapy with tap water. Our resultsclearly establish the beneficial effects of mineral water. Moreover,it is a valuable adjunct to other forms of physical treatment aswell as to pharmacotherapy.

Characteristics of microflora isolated in chronic adnexitides and effects of balneotherapy on biological properties of microorganisms in experimental and clinical conditions

The study of species and biology of microflora isolated from 42 patients with chronic adnexitides has detected a wide spectrum of pathological agents among which both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were encountered. The isolated cultures were examined for ability to inactivate lysozyme, complement and lactoferrin. The experiments have established changes in biological properties of the microorganisms in response to use of mud and salty brine therapy. Clinical investigations demonstrate the ability of balneotherapy to restore normal flora, to reduce contamination with opportunistic microflora and suppress biological, including persistent, properties of microorganisms in females with chronic adnexitides. Positive effects of balneotherapy seem to base, primarily, on this ability.

Balneotherapy and platelet glutathione metabolism in type II diabetic patients.

Effects of balneotherapy on platelet glutathione metabolism were investigated in 12 type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. Levels of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) on admission were well correlated with those of fasting plasma glucose (FPG; r = 0.692, P < 0.02). After 4 weeks of balneotherapy, the mean level of GSH showed no changes; however, in well-controlled patients (FPG < 150 mg/dl), the level increased (P < 0.01) and in poorly controlled patients (FPG > 150 mg/dl), the value decreased (P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and the levels of FPG (r = -0.430, P < 0.05). After balneotherapy, the activity increased in 5 patients, decreased in 3 patients and showed no changes (alteration within +/- 3%) in all the other patients. From these findings in diabetic patients we concluded: (1) platelet GSH synthesis appeared to be induced in response to oxidative stress; (2) lowered GPX activities indicated that the antioxidative defense system was impaired; and (3) platelet glutathione metabolism was partially improved by 4 weeks balneotherapy, an effect thought to be dependent on the control status of plasma glucose levels. It is suggested that balneotherapy is beneficial for patients whose platelet antioxidative defense system is damaged, such as those with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease.

Effects of Balneotherapy on Circadian Rhythm of Plasma Aldosterone in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Effects of Balneotherapy on Circadian Rhythm of Plasma Aldosterone in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

内分泌代謝性疾患 (糖尿病) における温泉療法

内分泌代謝性疾患 (糖尿病) における温泉療法

Effectiveness of Balneotherapy in Rehabilitation

Effectiveness of Balneotherapy in Rehabilitation

Effectiveness of Balneotherapy in Rehabilitation for Psychosomatic disordors

Effectiveness of Balneotherapy in Rehabilitation for Psychosomatic disordors