We found no statistically significant differences in pain on the McGill Question naire or in physical disability ( very low level of evidence ) between balneotherapy and the other interventions .
Overall evidence is insufficient to show that balneotherapy is more effective than no treatment , that one type of bath is more effective than another or that one type of bath is more effective than mudpacks , exercise or relaxation therapy
BACKGROUND No cure for rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) is known at present , so treatment often focuses on management of symptoms such as pain , stiffness and mobility .
Treatment options include pharmacological interventions , physical therapy treatments and balneotherapy .
Balneotherapy is defined as bathing in natural mineral or thermal waters ( e.g. mineral baths , sulphur baths , Dead Sea baths ) , using mudpacks or doing both .
Despite its popularity , reported scientific evidence for the effectiveness or efficacy of balneotherapy is sparse .
This review , which evaluates the effects of balneotherapy in patients with RA , is an up date of a Cochrane review first published in 2003 and up date d in 2008 .
OBJECTIVES To perform a systematic review on the benefits and harms of balneotherapy in patients with RA in terms of pain , improvement , disability , tender joints , swollen joints and adverse events .
The role of trace elements in psoriatic patients undergoing balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt.
BACKGROUND A beneficial effect was observed in patients with psoriasis vulgaris following balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt . OBJECTIVES To evaluate the possible role of trace elements in the effectiveness of balneotherapy . METHODS Serum levels of 11 trace elements were analyzed in 23 patients with psoriasis vulgaris who participated in a double-blind controlled study of balneotherapy with either Dead Sea bath salt ( 12 patients ) or common salt ( 11 patients ) . Thirteen healthy volunteers served as controls . RESULTS The mean pre-treatment serum levels of boron , cadmium , lithium and rubidium were significantly lower in patients compared to controls , whereas the mean pre-treatment serum level of manganese was significantly higher in patients compared to controls . Balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt result ed in a significant decrease ( P = 0.0051 ) in the mean serum level of manganese from 0.10 + /- 0.05 mol/L to 0.05 + /- 0.02 mumol/L. The mean reduction in the serum level of manganese differed significantly ( P = 0.002 ) between responders ( % Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score reduction > or = 25 ) and non-responders ( % PASI score reduction < 25 ) . Following balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt the mean serum level of lithium  decreased in responders by 0.01 + /- 0.02 mumol/L , whereas its level in non-responders increased by 0.03 + /- 0.03 mumol/L. ( P = 0.015 ) . CONCLUSIONS Manganese and lithium may play a role in the effectiveness of balneotherapy with Dead Sea bath salt for psoriasis
We found no statistically significant differences in pain on the McGill Question naire or in physical disability ( very low level of evidence ) between balneotherapy and the other interventions .
Overall evidence is insufficient to show that balneotherapy is more effective than no treatment , that one type of bath is more effective than another or that one type of bath is more effective than mudpacks , exercise or relaxation therapy
BACKGROUND No cure for rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) is known at present , so treatment often focuses on management of symptoms such as pain , stiffness and mobility .
Treatment options include pharmacological interventions , physical therapy treatments and balneotherapy .
Balneotherapy is defined as bathing in natural mineral or thermal waters ( e.g. mineral baths , sulphur baths , Dead Sea baths ) , using mudpacks or doing both .
Despite its popularity , reported scientific evidence for the effectiveness or efficacy of balneotherapy is sparse .
This review , which evaluates the effects of balneotherapy in patients with RA , is an up date of a Cochrane review first published in 2003 and up date d in 2008 .
OBJECTIVES To perform a systematic review on the benefits and harms of balneotherapy in patients with RA in terms of pain , improvement , disability , tender joints , swollen joints and adverse events .