Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
SpringerLink
Log in

Spa Therapy and Quality of Life

  • Reference work entry
Handbook of Disease Burdens and Quality of Life Measures

  • 242 Accesses

Abstract:

Spa therapy is a traditional form of treatment aiming at alleviating or preventing chronic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis usually associated with an impairment of quality of life. It is based on the use of natural remedies like thermal, mineral or sea water, mud, or certain climatic factors. These remedies are applied in regular intervals over a time span of 2–4 weeks as baths, drinking cures, packs or as out-door exposure predominantly in an inpatient setting. In addition, other treatments such as massages, exercise and behaviorally oriented methods are applied. It is thought that spa therapy improves quality of life not only by reducing disease burden but also by enhancing physical and psychological health. Disorders commonly treated with spa therapy are low back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, psoriasis and hypertension. An improvement of quality of life is reported for most of these disorders for a time span of up to 9 months. Large though only moderately stable short term improvements occur for mood related variables. The most stable improvements are apparent for physical complaints and functioning. Cost effectiveness has been ascertained for some but not all disorders treated. In conclusion, spa therapy is an effective and highly esteemed treatment improving quality of life predominantly in patients with chronic pain disorders.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 3,000.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agishi Y, Hildebrandt G. (1997). Chronobiologische Gesichtspunkte zur Physikalischen Therapie und Kurortebehandlung,. Wissenschaftliche Schriftenreihe des Institus für Rehabilitationsmedizin und Balneologie Bad Wildungen, Wissenschaftliche Schriftenreihe des Institus für Rehabilitationsmedizin und Balneologie Bad Wildungen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allard P, Deligne J, Van Bockstael V, Duquesnoy B. (1998). Rev Rhum Engl Ed. 65: 173–180.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Becker BE, Cole AJ. (1998). Aquatic rehabilitation. In: DeLisa JA, Gans BM (ed) Rehabilitation Medicine: Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, pp 997–901.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beer AM, Grozeva A, Sagorchev P, Lukanov J. (2003). Biomed Tech (Berl). 48: 301–305.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bellometti S, Gallotti C, Pacileo G, Rota A, Tenconi MT. (2007). J Prev Med Hyg. 48: 1–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bender T, Karagulle Z, Balint GP, Gutenbrunner C, Balint PV, Sukenik S. (2005). Rheumatol Int. 25: 220–224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blasche G, Melchart H, Leitner D, Marktl W. (2007).Forsch Komplement Med. 14: 274–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Codish S, Dobrovinsky S, Abu Shakra M, Flusser D, Sukenik S. (2005). Isr Med Assoc J. 7: 443–446.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Constant F, Collin JF, Guillemin F, Boulange M. (1995). J Rheumatol. 22: 1315–1320.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Constant F, Guillemin F, Collin JF, Boulange M. (1998). Med Care. 36: 1309–1314.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Donmez A, Karagulle MZ, Tercan N, Dinler M, Issever H, Karagulle M, Turan M. (2005). Rheumatol Int 26: 168–172.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eichler I. (1995). Pharmakologie der Peloidinhaltsstoffe [Pharmacology of peloids]. In: Marktl W (ed) Theorie and Praxis der Peloidtherapie. Facultas, Vienna, pp 52–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekmekcioglu C, Strauss-Blasche G, Feyertag J, Klammer N, Marktl W. (2000). Altern Ther Health Med. 6: 46–53.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evcik D, Kavuncu V, Yeter A, Yigit I. (2007). Joint Bone Spine 74: 60–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Even-Paz Z. (1996). Isr J Med Sci 32 Suppl: S11–S15.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feyertag J, Strauss-Blasche G, Boettcher E, Marktl W. (1995). Phys Rehab Kur Med. 5: 15–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fioravanti A, Valenti M, Altobelli E, Di Orio F, Nappi G, Crisanti A, Cantarini L, Marcolongo R. (2003). Panminerva Med. 45: 211–217.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fritz C, Sonnentag S. (2006). J Appl Psychol. 91: 936–945.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guillemin F, Constant F, Collin JF, Boulange M. (1994). Br J Rheumatol. 33: 148–151.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guillemin F, Virion JM, Escudier P, De Talance N, Weryha G. (2001). Joint Bone Spine. 68: 499–503.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gutenbrunner C, Ruppel K. (1992). Phys Rehab Kur Med. 2: 58–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutenbrunner C, Hildebrandt G. (1998). Handbuch der Balneologie and medizinischen Klimatologie. Springer, SpringerGutenbrunner C, Schreiber C, Beck K, Walter N, Ehlebracht-König I, v Pezold E, Gehrke A, Kniesch K, Thon B, Candir F. (2002). Phys Rehab Kur Med 12: 272–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hashkes PJ. (2002). Scand J Rheumatol. 31: 172–177.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hildebrandt G, Lammert W. (1986). Z Phys Med Baln Med Klim. 15: 73–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hildebrandt G. (1991). J Physiol Pharmacol 42: 5–27.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hildebrandt G, Gutenbrunner C. (1998a). Die Kur - Kurverlauf, Kureffekt und Kurerfolg [Spa therapy - its course, effects and health improvements]. In: Gutenbrunner C, Hildebrandt G (ed.) Handbuch der Balneologie and medizinischen Klimatologie. Springer, Berlin, pp. 85–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hildebrandt G, Gutenbrunner C. (1998b). Therapeutische Physiologie. In: Gutenbrunner C, Hildebrandt G (ed) Handbuch der Balneologie and medizinischen Klimatologie. Springer, Berlin, pp. 5–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leaute-Labreze C, Saillour F, Chene G, Cazenave C, Luxey-Bellocq ML, Sanciaume C, Toussaint JF, Taieb A. (2001). Arch Dermatol. 137: 1035–1039.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matz. H, Orion E, Wolf R. (2003). Soziale Sicherheit 9: 549–553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neumann L, Sukenik S, Bolotin A, Abu-Shakra M, Amir M, Flusser D, Buskila D. (2001). Clin Rheumatol. 20: 15–19.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishimura N, Sugenoya J, Matsumoto T, Kato M, Sakakibara H, Nishiyama T, Inukai Y, Okagawa T, Ogata A. (2002). Eur J Appl Physiol. 87: 337–342.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pittler MH, Karagulle MZ, Karagulle M, Ernst E. (2006). Rheumatology (Oxford). 45: 880–884.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robiner WN. (1990). J Behav Med. 13: 157–173.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss-Blasche G, Ekmekcioglu C, Klammer N, Marktl W. (2000a). Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 7: 269–274.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss-Blasche G, Ekmekcioglu C, Marktl W. (2000b). Occup Med (Lond). 50: 167–172.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss-Blasche G, Ekmekcioglu C, Vacariu G, Melchart H, Fialka-Moser V, Marktl W. (2002). Clin J Pain. 18: 302–309.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss-Blasche G, Muhry F, Lehofer M, Moser M, Marktl W. (2004a). J Leisure Res. 36: 293–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss-Blasche G, Riedmann B, Schobersberger W, Ekmekcioglu C, Riedmann G, Waanders R, Fries D, Mittermayr M, Marktl W, Humpeler E. (2004b). J Travel Med 11: 300–306.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss-Blasche G, Gnad E, Ekmekcioglu C, Hladschik B, Marktl W. (2005). Cancer Nurs. 28(5): 390–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tishler M, Brostovski Y, Yaron M. (1995). Clin Rheumatol. 14: 21–25.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Tubergen A, Landewe R, van der Heijde D, Hidding A, Wolter N, Asscher M, Falkenbach A, Genth E, The HG, van der Linden S. (2001). Arthritis Rheum. 45: 430–438.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Tubergen A, Boonen A, Landewe R, Rutten-Van Molken M, Van Der Heijde D, Hidding A, Van Der Linden S. (2002). Arthritis Rheum. 47: 459–467.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Tubergen A, van der Linden S. (2002). Ann Rheum Dis. 61: 273–275.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verhagen AP, Bierma-Zeinstra SM, Boers M, Cardoso JR, Lambeck J, de Bie RA, de Vet HC. (2007). Cochrane Database Syst Rev: CD006864.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigler I, Elkayam O, Paran D, Yaron M. (1995). Rheumatol Int. 15: 65–68.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz B, Goktepe AS, Alaca R, Mohur H, Kayar AH. (2004). Joint Bone Spine. 71: 563–566.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zijlstra TR, Braakman-Jansen LM, Taal E, Rasker JJ, van de Laar MA. (2007). Rheumatology (Oxford) 46: 1454–1459.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zijlstra TR, van de Laar MA, Bernelot Moens HJ, Taal E, Zakraoui L, Rasker JJ. (2005). Rheumatology (Oxford) 44: 539–546.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. G. Blasche
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Nutrition and Dietetics Nutritional Sciences Research Division School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, King's College London, Franklin‐Wilkins Building 150 Stamford Street, SE1 9NH, London, UK

    Victor R. Preedy (Prof.) (Prof.)

  2. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Health Science Center 1295 N. Martin, P.O. Box 245155, 85724-5155, Tucson, AZ

    Ronald R. Watson (Prof.) (Prof.)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media LLC

About this entry

Cite this entry

Blasche, G. (2010). Spa Therapy and Quality of Life. In: Preedy, V.R., Watson, R.R. (eds) Handbook of Disease Burdens and Quality of Life Measures. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78665-0_105

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78665-0_105

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-78664-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-78665-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation