A multicentre randomized controlled follow-up study of the effects of the underwater traction therapy in chronic low back pain.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most costly diseases in the developed world. This study aimed to investigate the effects of underwater traction therapy on chronic low back pain. The primary objective was to prove that underwater traction therapy has favorable effects on LBP. Our secondary objective was to evaluate whether it also leads to improvement in the quality of life. This is a prospective, multicenter, follow-up study. A total of 176 patients with more than 3 months of low back pain enrolled from outpatient clinics were randomized into three groups: underwater weight bath traction therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); weight bath; and only NSAIDs. The following parameters were measured before, right after, and 9 weeks after the 3-week therapy: levels of low back pain in rest and during activity were tested using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire, and the EuroQol-5D-5L Questionnaire.The VAS levels improved significantly (p < 0.05) in both underwater weight bath traction therapy groups by the end of the treatment, whereas the improvement in the third group was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the improvements measured in the groups receiving traction therapy were persistent during the follow-up period. There were no significant changes in the Oswestry Index or the EuroQol-5D-5L without VAS parameters in any of the groups.Based on our results, for patients suffering from LBP pain who underwent underwater weight bath traction therapy, there were favorable impacts on the pain levels at rest or during activity. Clinical trial registration ID: NCT03488498, April 5, 2018.

The effect of balneotherapy on antioxidant, inflammatory, and metabolic indices in patients with cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension and obesity)--a randomised, controlled, follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: The primary objective of our study was to explore the changes of antioxidant, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters in obese and hypertension people patients during balneotherapy and to evaluate the safety of balneotherapy in these participants. METHODS: Following randomisation, 22 obese and 20 hypertensive patients underwent balneotherapy with thermal water of 38°C temperature, in 15 sessions of 30 minutes. An additional 22 obese and 20 hypertensive patients served as controls. Antioxidant, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters were determined at baseline, as well as post-treatment and at the end of follow-up (at 15 weeks). RESULTS: As regards changes observed in hypertensive patients subjected to balneotherapy, differences could be detected between baseline and post-treatment albumin and haemoglobin A(1c) levels only; however, these were no longer significant after 3 months. Although the difference between transferrin levels determined at the end of balneotherapy and 3 months later was significant, it remained within the physiological range, as well as it was accompanied by normal serum iron level and therefore, it was considered irrelevant. C-reactive protein levels of balneotherapy patients decreased significantly after treatment. In obese patients, haemoglobin A(1c) level decreased after balneotherapy, but this difference was not observed either after 3 months. Similarly, both transferrin and C-reactive protein levels changed from baseline, but not between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes important information regarding the safety of balneotherapy in hypertensive and obese diabetics by showing no alterations of antioxidant, inflammatory, or metabolic indices. The findings of this study confirm that balneotherapy is not contraindicated for hypertensive or obese patients.

The effect of balneotherapy on C-reactive protein, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, total antioxidant status and HSP-60 levels.

An increasing body of evidence substantiating the effectiveness of balneotherapy has accumulated during recent decades. In the present study, 42 ambulatory patients (23 males and 19 females, mean age 59.5 years) with degenerative musculoskeletal disease were randomised into one of two groups-bathing in tap water or in mineral water at the same temperature-and subjected to 30-min balneotherapy sessions on 15 occasions. Study parameters comprised serum levels of sensitised C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma lipids, heat shock protein (HSP-60) and total antioxidant status (TAS). In both groups, CRP levels followed a decreasing tendency, which still persisted 3 months later. At 3 months after balneotherapy, serum cholesterol levels were still decreasing in patients who had used medicinal water, but exhibited a trend towards an increase in the control group. Triglyceride levels followed a decreasing trend in both patient groups. TAS showed a declining tendency in both groups. No changes of HSP-60 levels were observed in either group. Balneotherapy with the thermal water from Hajdúszoboszló spa had a more pronounced physiological effect compared to that seen in the control group treated with tap water in a 3 month period.

The effects of weightbath traction hydrotherapy as a component of complex physical therapy in disorders of the cervical and lumbar spine: a controlled pilot study with follow-up.

The therapeutic modalities available for the conservative management of chronic cervical and lumbar pain include underwater traction, the usefulness of which is not universally acknowledged. No reports have been published on clinical trials evaluating underwater traction. This study was intended to ascertain any beneficial impact of weightbath therapy on the clinical parameters and quality of life of patients with cervical/lumbar discopathy. The study population comprised 72 subjects. Two groups of 18 patients each received underwater traction therapy of the cervical or lumbar spine with add-on McKenzie exercises and iontophoresis. The remaining two groups, treated with exercises and iontophoresis, served as controls. VAS and SF36 scores, range of motion were monitored to appraise therapeutic efficacy in cervical discopathy, whereas these parameters were supplemented by the Oswestry index in lumbar discopathy. A MRI scan was done at baseline and after 3 months of follow-up. Underwater cervical or lumbar traction therapy for discopathy achieved significant improvement of all study parameters, which was still evident 3 months later. Among the controls, significant improvement of just a single parameter was seen in patients with lumbar, and of two parameters in those with cervical discopathy. Underwater traction therapy effectively mitigates pain, enhances joint flexibility, and improves the quality of life of patients with cervical or lumbar discopathy. The equipment required to administer weightbath therapy is simple to install and treatment technique is straightforward.