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Innovation in balneotherapy – challenge of new target diseases and conditions

Innovation in balneotherapy – challenge of new target diseases and conditions. László Hodinka and Ildikó Tefner. National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary. Traditional balneotherapy is usually. disease oriented

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Innovation in balneotherapy – challenge of new target diseases and conditions

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  1. Innovation in balneotherapy – challengeof new target diseases and conditions László Hodinka and Ildikó Tefner National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary

  2. Traditional balneotherapy is usually • disease oriented • applying mostly conventional treatment modalities and combinations • based on community groups • advertising effectivity more empirically than evidence-based • Using more damage-specific, less functional and psychosocial evidences

  3. Things for consideration Phisical medicine tools - including balneotherapy - rarely have specific but produce mostly of symptomatic or physiological effects (as used for ill or healthy persons). Clients of physical medicine tools represent a continuum of people with symptoms, or discomfort or intending to prevent something or simply improving the quality of their life. Pysical medicine tools also represent a continuum • from medicinal use to spa and wellnes • from approved to hypothetic • from usual triggers e.g. (thermomineral waters) to unusual ones(light, colours, touch schents, sounds etc.) Approved methods have also placebo effects and alternative tools may produce objective (e.g. mental or QoL) changes. Combination of tools are more effective than single use.

  4. Challenge for traditional balneotherapy Recently people (ill and healthy) prefer • an action targeted to their specific needs • an individual programme • a combination of different triggers • an attractive and prestigious surrounding and climate • a short and effective package

  5. Search for new applications Keyword „balneotherapy”: 1725 abstracts in English Excluded primary targets: rheumatic diseases pulmonary diseases dermatology urology gynecology cerebrovascular conditions cardiovascular conditions metabolic conditions Analyzed: 7 pulications

  6. Attempt to identify target oriented modalities for balneotherapy alone or in combination Not evaluated and not recommended: soft laser, polarized light, magnetic field, acupuncture, reflexology, homeopathy, bioresonance, ayurveda, neural therapy

  7. Comments on new target balneotherapy applications Weaknesses ( of some protocols): Unclear target definition Traditional treatment panels, short term trial settings. Little effort to identify the supposed effective factors The effects of balneotherapy cannot be investigated independently from the other physical medicine components, lack of adequate controls Strength Intention of objectivity, use of validated measures

  8. Conclusion and suggestions Symptoms caused by somatic and psychic interactions (pain, anxiety, depression) seem to be promising targets for balneotherapy. It is advisable to investigate the effects of balneotherapy combined with different other triggers in the above conditions. Development and use of objective indicators in recommended

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