Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 108-109
Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects
Habituation: patients familiarize with water, the team of professionals (doctor,
physiotherapist, psychologist, special educator, several animal trainers and the cotherapist,
the sea lion) and the other participants through various exercises.
Therapeutic phase: Sea lion interaction itself.
Back to baseline: come back to the calm state, then maintaining a consultation
with specialists where certain data are collected.
Results
Systolic Blood pressure decreased from 13.5 to 12.3 mmHg. Dyastolic BP was
reduced from 8.3 to 7.5 mmHg. Decrease in heart rate. Subjective sensation of pain
(scale 1 to 10) decreased from 7.5 points before to 4. Anxiety from 7.6 to 2 and
mood state from 4.1 to 7.1. Sleep improved from 3.8 hours to 6.1 the last day.
Improved the FIQ score.
Motivation was low in 37% of patients before, after had improvement 100%
(mild improvement 12.5% and marked improvement 87.5%). Self-esteem was low
in 75% before, after had improvement 100% (mild improvement 37.5% and marked
improvement 62.5%). Motricity was low in 88% before , after had improvement in
100% (a slight improvement 62.5% and marked improvement 37.5%). The balance
was low in 88% before, after had improvement 75% (mild improvement 62.5% and
marked improvement 12.5%). Relaxation was low in 75% before, after had improvement
in 87.5% (mild improvement 12.5% and marked improvement 75%).
Almost 100% reported subjective improvement in terms of general condition
and symptoms (33% reported, slight improvement and 66% greater improvement).
Objectively therapists found a slight improvement in 30% and a marked improvement
in 70%. 100% would repeat the experience.
Conclusions
We found a high incidence of anxiety, insomnia, mood disturbances and pain are
reduced with this experience.
The parameters that most improved were motivation and relaxation.
Blood pressure decreased both systolic and diastolic, heart rate and scores on the
FIQ.
Thalassotherapy and otaridotherapy treatment in patients with rheumatic fibromyalgia
improves physical and psyclogical symptoms.
Keywords: Thalassotherapy, Otaridotherapy, Rheumatic Fibromyalgia, Animal
Assisted Therapy
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