Therapeutic Benefits of Balneotherapy on Quality of Life of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review

Maria Fernandez-Gonzalez, Carolina Fernandez-Lao, Lydia Martin-Martin, Angela Gonzalez-Santos, Maria Lopez-Garzon, Lucia Ortiz-Comino and Mario Lozano-Lozano
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Maria Fernandez-Gonzalez: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
Carolina Fernandez-Lao: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
Lydia Martin-Martin: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
Angela Gonzalez-Santos: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
Maria Lopez-Garzon: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
Lucia Ortiz-Comino: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
Mario Lozano-Lozano: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-15

Abstract: Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease. RA symptoms make the disease disabling and strongly impact the quality of life of patients. Among the available forms of treatment, balneotherapy seems to be one of the most common forms of nonpharmacological treatment for rheumatic disease. The aim was to explore the effectiveness of balneotherapy for improving the quality of life of patients with RA. Methods: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and The Cochrane library were searched for randomized or clinical controlled trials published in English or Spanish until May 2021. Risk of bias of included articles were assessed using the Cochrane tool. A total 535 records were retrieved, and seven met the inclusion criteria. All the included studies showed statistically significant improvements in the quality of life of patients who received balneotherapy treatment despite differences in treatment administration. Sessions should be approximately 20 min long and use natural mineral waters enriched with elements, or mud, at a water temperature between 35–38 °C. Conclusions: Balneotherapy benefits the quality of life of people with RA. The obtained results show positive effects for both mineral bathing and immersion in sand or mud on the quality of life of people who suffer from RA.

Keywords: balneotherapy; rheumatoid arthritis; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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