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Tamás Bender - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effects of sulfur bath on hip osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled, single-blind, follow-up trial: a pilot study
International Journal of Biometeorology, 2016Co-Authors: Csaba Kovács, I K Tefner, Ágnes Bozsik, Mariann Pecze, Ildikó Borbély, Andrea Fogarasi, Lajos Kovács, Tamás BenderAbstract:The effects of Balneotherapy were evaluated in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip. This randomized, controlled, investigator-blinded study enrolled outpatients with hip osteoarthritis according to ACR criteria. In addition to home exercise therapy, one patient group received Balneotherapy for 3 weeks on 15 occasions. The mineral water used in this study is one of the mineral waters with the highest sulfide ion content (13.2 mg/L) in Hungary. The control group received exercise therapy alone. The WOMAC Likert 3.1 index and the EQ-5D quality of life self-administered questionnaire were completed three times during the study: prior to first treatment, at the end of the 3-week treatment course, and 12 weeks later. The main endpoint was achievement of Minimal Clinically Important Improvement (MCII) at 12 weeks, defined as ≥7.9 points in a normalized WOMAC function score. The intention to treat analysis included 20 controls and 21 Balneotherapy patients. At 12 weeks, 17 (81 %) Balneotherapy group patients had Minimal Clinically Important Improvement and 6 (30 %) of controls ( p = 0.001). Comparing the results of the two groups at the end of treatment, there was a significant difference in the WOMAC stiffness score only, whereas after 12 weeks, the WOMAC pain, stiffness, function, and total scores also showed a significant difference in favor of the Balneotherapy group. The difference between the two groups was significant after 12 weeks in point of EQVAS score, too. The results of our study suggest that the combination of Balneotherapy and exercise therapy achieves more sustained improvement of joint function and decreases in pain than exercise therapy alone.
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the effect of Balneotherapy on chronic shoulder pain a randomized controlled single blind follow up trial a pilot study
Clinical Rheumatology, 2015Co-Authors: I K Tefner, Csaba Kovács, Ildikó Borbély, Ramona Gaal, Andras Koroknai, Remeny Horvath, Rakib Mohammed Badruddin, Katalin Nagy, Tamás BenderAbstract:The effects of Balneotherapy on chronic shoulder pain were studied. In this single-blind, randomized, follow-up study involving 46 patients with chronic shoulder pain, one group of patients received physiotherapy--exercise and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation--and the other group received Balneotherapy in addition to physiotherapy for 4 weeks on 15 occasions. The following parameters were recorded before treatment (at week 0) and after treatment (at weeks 4, 7, and 13): Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) and EuroQuol-5D (EQ-5D) quality of life questionnaires, pain at rest and on movement on the visual analog scale (VAS), and active and passive range of motion. The SPADI pain, function, and total scores and the VAS scores at rest and on movement significantly improved in both groups after treatments. A greater improvement was observed in the Balneotherapy group compared to the control group; regarding some parameters (VAS score on movement and SPADI function score at visit 2; VAS score at rest at visits 3 and 4), the difference between the groups was significant. The improvement of SF-36 and EQ-5D quality of life scores and the active range of motion was more pronounced in the Balneotherapy group, the difference between the groups was not significant, except for EQ-5D at visit 2. Improvement of passive range of motion was not significant. Balneotherapy may have a beneficial effect on the clinical parameters and quality of life of patients with chronic shoulder pain. The number of patients should be increased.
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Evidence-based hydro- and Balneotherapy in Hungary--a systematic review and meta-analysis.
International Journal of Biometeorology, 2013Co-Authors: Tamás Bender, Géza Bálint, Zoltan Prohaszka, Pál Géher, I K TefnerAbstract:Balneotherapy is appreciated as a traditional treatment modality in medicine. Hungary is rich in thermal mineral waters. Balneotherapy has been in extensive use for centuries and its effects have been studied in detail. Here, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials conducted with Hungarian thermal mineral waters, the findings of which have been published by Hungarian authors in English. The 122 studies identified in different databases include 18 clinical trials. Five of these evaluated the effect of hydro- and Balneotherapy on chronic low back pain, four on osteoarthritis of the knee, and two on osteoarthritis of the hand. One of the remaining seven trials evaluated Balneotherapy in chronic inflammatory pelvic diseases, while six studies explored its effect on various laboratory parameters. Out of the 18 studies, 9 met the predefined criteria for meta-analysis. The results confirmed the beneficial effect of Balneotherapy on pain with weight bearing and at rest in patients with degenerative joint and spinal diseases. A similar effect has been found in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. The review also revealed that Balneotherapy has some beneficial effects on antioxidant status, and on metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Based on the results, we conclude that Balneotherapy with Hungarian thermal-mineral waters is an effective remedy for lower back pain, as well as for knee and hand osteoarthritis.
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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.
Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2011Co-Authors: Mihály Oláh, Agnes Koncz, Judit Fehér, Judit Kálmánczhey, Csaba Oláh, György Nagy, Tamás BenderAbstract:Abstract 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.
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the effect of Balneotherapy on c reactive protein serum cholesterol triglyceride total antioxidant status and hsp 60 levels
International Journal of Biometeorology, 2010Co-Authors: Mihály Oláh, Agnes Koncz, Judit Fehér, Judit Kálmánczhey, Csaba Oláh, György Nagy, Sandor Balogh, Tamás BenderAbstract: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 Hajduszoboszlo spa had a more pronounced physiological effect compared to that seen in the control group treated with tap water in a 3 month period.
Rosa Meijide-faílde - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effect of Balneotherapy in sulfurous water on an in vivo murine model of osteoarthritis
International Journal of Biometeorology, 2020Co-Authors: Carlos Vaamonde-garcía, Ángela Vela-anero, Tamara Hermida-gómez, Elena Fernández-burguera, Purificación Filgueira-fernández, Noa Goyanes, Francisco J. Blanco, Rosa Meijide-faíldeAbstract:Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that results in progressive cartilage destruction and subsequently joint dysfunction. Growing evidence indicates beneficial impact of balneological interventions in OA; however, their mechanisms of action are still unclear. Here, we evaluate the effect of Balneotherapy in sulfurous water in an OA experimental model. Experimental OA was induced in Wistar rats by transection of the medial collateral ligament and removal of the medial meniscus of the left knee. Animals were randomized into three groups: non-treated (control) and Balneotherapy using sulfurous water (SW) or tap water (TW). Macroscopic evaluation was performed, as well as evaluation of pain levels and analysis of motor function by rotarod test. Histopathological changes in articular cartilage and synovium were also evaluated. The presence of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and oxidative damage markers was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Joint destabilization induced joint thickening, loss of joint flexion, and increased levels of pain. At day 40, animals from SW group presented lower pain levels than those from control group. Experimental OA also affected motor function. Balneotherapy in sulfur-rich water significantly improved joint mobility in relation to that in tap water. Besides, we observed that cartilage deterioration was lower in SW group than in the other two groups. Likewise, SW group showed reduced levels of MMP-13 in the cartilage. Conversely, we failed to observe any modulation on synovial inflammation. Finally, Balneotherapy in sulfurous water diminished the presence of oxidative damage markers. Our results suggest the beneficial effect of Balneotherapy in sulfur-rich water on an experimental model of OA, showing a reduced cartilage destruction and oxidative damage. Thus, these findings support the use of Balneotherapy as a non-pharmacological treatment in OA.
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FIBROMYALGIA AND Balneotherapy. A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL STUDY IN THE LUGO ROMAN BATH SPA (NW SPAIN)
2016Co-Authors: Rosa Meijide-faílde, S. López-linares, M. C. Lopez-silva, A. Sánchez-carrion, M Seoane-bouzas, Á. Vela-anero, E.f. BurgueraAbstract:INTRODUCTION: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The prevalence of fibromyalgia among the woman population is 3.5%. Fibromyalgia management requires a combination of pharmacologic and non‑pharmacologic treatment modalities. Several guidelines indicate that Balneotherapy is one of the non-pharmacologic treatment options proved to be effective in the treatment of FM. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Balneotherapy in Lugo Roman Bath Spa (NW Spain) in FM management with a randomised, controlled clinical study. MATERIAL & METHODS: Seventy-six women with FM under pharmacological treatment were randomly assigned to either the Balneotherapy (38) or the control (38) group. The patients in the Balneotherapy group had mud therapy and aquatic therapy in a sulfur thermomineral water pool in Lugo Spa two days a week for three months. The patients in the control group continued to have their medical treatment and routine daily life. An investigator, blinded to the study arms, assessed the patients. All patients were assessed two times, at the beginning of the study, and after Balneotherapy at the end of the 3 rd month. Outcome measures of the study were pain intensity, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) scores, and tender point count as compared to the control group RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in pain, tender point count, FIQ, subscales of SF-36 and decrease in antidepressants and anti-inflammatory drugs consumption at the end of the study period at 3 months in the Balneotherapy group; however, no such improvement was observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that Balneotherapy provides beneficial effects in patients with fibromyalgia.
Davide Donelli - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effects of Balneotherapy and spa therapy on levels of cortisol as a stress biomarker: a systematic review
International Journal of Biometeorology, 2018Co-Authors: Michele Antonelli, Davide DonelliAbstract:Balneotherapy and spa therapy are well-known practices, even though limited evidence has been produced about their biological effects. This systematic review primarily aims at assessing if Balneotherapy, mud/peloid therapy, and spa therapy may influence cortisol levels. Secondarily, it aims at understanding if these interventions may improve stress resilience. PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant articles in English or Italian about studies involving healthy and sub-healthy subjects or patients with a diagnosed disease about effects of Balneotherapy, mud/peloid therapy, and spa therapy on serum and salivary cortisol levels. Fifteen studies involving 684 subjects were included. Five studies investigated biological effects of Balneotherapy alone. Two of them reported significant changes of cortisol levels in healthy participants. The other three studies reported no significant variations in patients with rheumatic conditions. No studies investigated biological effects of mud/peloid therapy alone. Ten studies investigated biological effects of spa therapy with or without included mud/peloid therapy, and in all but two studies, significant variations of cortisol levels were reported. Our main findings suggest that Balneotherapy may have the potential to influence cortisol levels in healthy subjects, in such a way as to improve stress resilience. Spa therapy with or without included mud/peloid therapy demonstrated the same potential to influence cortisol levels also in sub-healthy subjects and in patients with a diagnosed disease. Therefore, Balneotherapy and spa therapy may be considered as useful interventions for the management of stress conditions. Further investigation is needed because of limited available data.
Carlos Vaamonde-garcía - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effect of Balneotherapy in sulfurous water on an in vivo murine model of osteoarthritis
International Journal of Biometeorology, 2020Co-Authors: Carlos Vaamonde-garcía, Ángela Vela-anero, Tamara Hermida-gómez, Elena Fernández-burguera, Purificación Filgueira-fernández, Noa Goyanes, Francisco J. Blanco, Rosa Meijide-faíldeAbstract:Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that results in progressive cartilage destruction and subsequently joint dysfunction. Growing evidence indicates beneficial impact of balneological interventions in OA; however, their mechanisms of action are still unclear. Here, we evaluate the effect of Balneotherapy in sulfurous water in an OA experimental model. Experimental OA was induced in Wistar rats by transection of the medial collateral ligament and removal of the medial meniscus of the left knee. Animals were randomized into three groups: non-treated (control) and Balneotherapy using sulfurous water (SW) or tap water (TW). Macroscopic evaluation was performed, as well as evaluation of pain levels and analysis of motor function by rotarod test. Histopathological changes in articular cartilage and synovium were also evaluated. The presence of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and oxidative damage markers was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Joint destabilization induced joint thickening, loss of joint flexion, and increased levels of pain. At day 40, animals from SW group presented lower pain levels than those from control group. Experimental OA also affected motor function. Balneotherapy in sulfur-rich water significantly improved joint mobility in relation to that in tap water. Besides, we observed that cartilage deterioration was lower in SW group than in the other two groups. Likewise, SW group showed reduced levels of MMP-13 in the cartilage. Conversely, we failed to observe any modulation on synovial inflammation. Finally, Balneotherapy in sulfurous water diminished the presence of oxidative damage markers. Our results suggest the beneficial effect of Balneotherapy in sulfur-rich water on an experimental model of OA, showing a reduced cartilage destruction and oxidative damage. Thus, these findings support the use of Balneotherapy as a non-pharmacological treatment in OA.
I K Tefner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effects of sulfur bath on hip osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled, single-blind, follow-up trial: a pilot study
International Journal of Biometeorology, 2016Co-Authors: Csaba Kovács, I K Tefner, Ágnes Bozsik, Mariann Pecze, Ildikó Borbély, Andrea Fogarasi, Lajos Kovács, Tamás BenderAbstract:The effects of Balneotherapy were evaluated in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip. This randomized, controlled, investigator-blinded study enrolled outpatients with hip osteoarthritis according to ACR criteria. In addition to home exercise therapy, one patient group received Balneotherapy for 3 weeks on 15 occasions. The mineral water used in this study is one of the mineral waters with the highest sulfide ion content (13.2 mg/L) in Hungary. The control group received exercise therapy alone. The WOMAC Likert 3.1 index and the EQ-5D quality of life self-administered questionnaire were completed three times during the study: prior to first treatment, at the end of the 3-week treatment course, and 12 weeks later. The main endpoint was achievement of Minimal Clinically Important Improvement (MCII) at 12 weeks, defined as ≥7.9 points in a normalized WOMAC function score. The intention to treat analysis included 20 controls and 21 Balneotherapy patients. At 12 weeks, 17 (81 %) Balneotherapy group patients had Minimal Clinically Important Improvement and 6 (30 %) of controls ( p = 0.001). Comparing the results of the two groups at the end of treatment, there was a significant difference in the WOMAC stiffness score only, whereas after 12 weeks, the WOMAC pain, stiffness, function, and total scores also showed a significant difference in favor of the Balneotherapy group. The difference between the two groups was significant after 12 weeks in point of EQVAS score, too. The results of our study suggest that the combination of Balneotherapy and exercise therapy achieves more sustained improvement of joint function and decreases in pain than exercise therapy alone.
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the effect of Balneotherapy on chronic shoulder pain a randomized controlled single blind follow up trial a pilot study
Clinical Rheumatology, 2015Co-Authors: I K Tefner, Csaba Kovács, Ildikó Borbély, Ramona Gaal, Andras Koroknai, Remeny Horvath, Rakib Mohammed Badruddin, Katalin Nagy, Tamás BenderAbstract:The effects of Balneotherapy on chronic shoulder pain were studied. In this single-blind, randomized, follow-up study involving 46 patients with chronic shoulder pain, one group of patients received physiotherapy--exercise and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation--and the other group received Balneotherapy in addition to physiotherapy for 4 weeks on 15 occasions. The following parameters were recorded before treatment (at week 0) and after treatment (at weeks 4, 7, and 13): Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) and EuroQuol-5D (EQ-5D) quality of life questionnaires, pain at rest and on movement on the visual analog scale (VAS), and active and passive range of motion. The SPADI pain, function, and total scores and the VAS scores at rest and on movement significantly improved in both groups after treatments. A greater improvement was observed in the Balneotherapy group compared to the control group; regarding some parameters (VAS score on movement and SPADI function score at visit 2; VAS score at rest at visits 3 and 4), the difference between the groups was significant. The improvement of SF-36 and EQ-5D quality of life scores and the active range of motion was more pronounced in the Balneotherapy group, the difference between the groups was not significant, except for EQ-5D at visit 2. Improvement of passive range of motion was not significant. Balneotherapy may have a beneficial effect on the clinical parameters and quality of life of patients with chronic shoulder pain. The number of patients should be increased.
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Evidence-based hydro- and Balneotherapy in Hungary—a systematic review and meta-analysis
International Journal of Biometeorology, 2014Co-Authors: T Bender, Géza Bálint, Zoltan Prohaszka, Pál Géher, I K TefnerAbstract:Balneotherapy is appreciated as a traditional treatment modality in medicine. Hungary is rich in thermal mineral waters. Balneotherapy has been in extensive use for centuries and its effects have been studied in detail. Here, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials conducted with Hungarian thermal mineral waters, the findings of which have been published by Hungarian authors in English. The 122 studies identified in different databases include 18 clinical trials. Five of these evaluated the effect of hydro- and Balneotherapy on chronic low back pain, four on osteoarthritis of the knee, and two on osteoarthritis of the hand. One of the remaining seven trials evaluated Balneotherapy in chronic inflammatory pelvic diseases, while six studies explored its effect on various laboratory parameters. Out of the 18 studies, 9 met the predefined criteria for meta-analysis. The results confirmed the beneficial effect of Balneotherapy on pain with weight bearing and at rest in patients with degenerative joint and spinal diseases. A similar effect has been found in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. The review also revealed that Balneotherapy has some beneficial effects on antioxidant status, and on metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Based on the results, we conclude that Balneotherapy with Hungarian thermal-mineral waters is an effective remedy for lower back pain, as well as for knee and hand osteoarthritis.
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Evidence-based hydro- and Balneotherapy in Hungary--a systematic review and meta-analysis.
International Journal of Biometeorology, 2013Co-Authors: Tamás Bender, Géza Bálint, Zoltan Prohaszka, Pál Géher, I K TefnerAbstract:Balneotherapy is appreciated as a traditional treatment modality in medicine. Hungary is rich in thermal mineral waters. Balneotherapy has been in extensive use for centuries and its effects have been studied in detail. Here, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials conducted with Hungarian thermal mineral waters, the findings of which have been published by Hungarian authors in English. The 122 studies identified in different databases include 18 clinical trials. Five of these evaluated the effect of hydro- and Balneotherapy on chronic low back pain, four on osteoarthritis of the knee, and two on osteoarthritis of the hand. One of the remaining seven trials evaluated Balneotherapy in chronic inflammatory pelvic diseases, while six studies explored its effect on various laboratory parameters. Out of the 18 studies, 9 met the predefined criteria for meta-analysis. The results confirmed the beneficial effect of Balneotherapy on pain with weight bearing and at rest in patients with degenerative joint and spinal diseases. A similar effect has been found in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. The review also revealed that Balneotherapy has some beneficial effects on antioxidant status, and on metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Based on the results, we conclude that Balneotherapy with Hungarian thermal-mineral waters is an effective remedy for lower back pain, as well as for knee and hand osteoarthritis.
