A Systematic Review of Cohort Studies of the Preventive Effects of Balneotherapy for Locomotorium Diseases / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

 The purpose of this study was to systemically review cohort studies of the preventive effects on locomotorium diseases in order to collectively evaluate the evidence.<br> We searched the databases of PubMed, CINAHL, and lchushi-Web for papers published from1990 to September 17, 2009. The search was not limited by the language in which the paper was written.<br> We found only one article (in Japanese) that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Results in this article showed that bone fractures were significantly lower in the group with two times or more utilization of the hot spa bathing per year compared to the group with one time or less utilization per year, even after adjusting for the confounding effects of exercise habits and WHO-QOL. However, a metaanalysis could not be applied.<br> We propose that it is necessary to conduct more cohort studies in which researchers choose suitable outcome measurements that assess long term effects.