The effect of spa therapy in chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled, single-blind, follow-up study

Authors: Tefner IK (1) , Németh A (2) , Lászlófi A (3) , Kis T (3) , Gyetvai G (3) , Bender T (4)

Affiliations:

(1) Józsefváros Health Care Services (2) NK Medicor Kft (3) Mofetta & Thermal Spa (4) Polyclinic of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God

Source: Rheumatol Int. 2012 Oct;32(10):3163-9

DOI: 10.1007/s00296-011-2145-y Publication date: 2012 Oct E-Publication date: Sept. 27, 2011 Availability: abstract Copyright: Springer-Verlag 2011

Language: English Countries: Hungary Location: Not specified Correspondence address: bender@mail.datanet.hu

Keywords

low back pain

Article abstract

Effect of thermal water with high mineral content on clinical parameters and quality of life of patients with chronic low back pain was studied. In this randomized controlled, single-blind, follow-up study, 60 patients with chronic low back pain were randomized into two groups. The treatment group received balneotherapy with thermal-mineral water, and the control group bathed in tap water. Changes of the followings were evaluated: visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, range of motion for the lumbar spine, Oswestry index, EuroQol-5D and Short Form-36 questionnaires. In the treatment group, the mobility of the lumbar spine, the Oswestry index, the VAS scores and the EuroQoL-5D index improved significantly. SF-36 items improved significantly in the treated group compared with baseline except for two parameters. Our study demonstrated the beneficial effect of balneotherapy with thermal mineral versus tap water on clinical parameters, along with improvements in quality of life.

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