We found silver level evidence ( www.cochranemsk.org ) concerning the beneficial effects of mineral baths compared to no treatment .
Of all other balneological treatments no clear effects were found .
BACKGROUND Balneotherapy ( or spa therapy , mineral baths ) for patients with arthritis is one of the oldest forms of therapy .
One of the aims of balneotherapy is to soothe the pain and as a consequence to relieve patients ' suffering and make them feel well .
In this up date we included one extra study .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of  balneotherapy  for patients with osteoarthritis ( OA ) .
The Effect of Balneotherapy at the Dead Sea on the Quality of Life of Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Abstract : Fibromyalgia ( FS ) is an idiopathic chronic pain syndrome defined by widespread non-articular musculoskeletal pain and generalised tender points . As there is no effective treatment , patients with this condition have impaired quality of life ( QoL ) . The aim of this study was to assess the possible effect of balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area on the QoL of patients with FS . Forty-eight subjects participated in the study ; half of them received balneotherapy , and half did not . Their QoL ( using SF-36 ) , psychological well-being and FS-related symptoms were assessed prior to arrival at the spa hotel in the Dead Sea area , at the end of the 10-day stay , and 1 and 3 months later . A significant improvement was reported on most subscales of the SF-36 and on most symptoms . The improvement in physical aspects of QoL lasted usually 3 months , but on psychological measures the improvement was shorter . Subjects in the balneotherapy group reported higher and longer-lasting improvement than subjects in the control group . In conclusion , staying at the Dead Sea spa , in addition to balneotherapy , can transiently improve the QoL of patients with FS . Other studies with longer follow-up are needed to support our findings
We found silver level evidence ( www.cochranemsk.org ) concerning the beneficial effects of mineral baths compared to no treatment .
Of all other balneological treatments no clear effects were found .
BACKGROUND Balneotherapy ( or spa therapy , mineral baths ) for patients with arthritis is one of the oldest forms of therapy .
One of the aims of balneotherapy is to soothe the pain and as a consequence to relieve patients ' suffering and make them feel well .
In this up date we included one extra study .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of  balneotherapy  for patients with osteoarthritis ( OA ) .