Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Development of a therapeutic program for
patients with fibromyalgia in spa resorts
Françon A (1)
(1) Centre for Rheumatology and Balneotherapy Research, Aix Les Bains, France
alain-francon@wanadoo.fr
Background
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is characterized by chronic pain, sleeps disturbance,
fatigue and often psychological distress and has a negative impact on family,
professional and social life of patients. According to recent guidelines, the optimal
treatment of FS requires a multidisciplinary approach with a combination of pharmacological
and non-pharmacological (exercise programs, heated pool treatments,
cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation, rehabilitation, physiotherapy and psychological
support …) treatments. Therapeutic education programs could be also
beneficial but today none of them have been yet validated.
Therapeutic program for patients with fibromyalgia in a spa resort
Spa resorts can offer many non pharmacological treatments for FS. They also
could be interesting places to introduce therapeutic education programs.
On initiative of Conseil National des Exploitants Thermaux (CNETh), a workshop
has been conducted by a therapeutic education program specialist, spa resort’s
physicians, spa resort’s directors and patients association’s representatives. The aim
of this workshop was to build a project of specific therapeutic program to manage
patients with fibromyalgia during a stay of three weeks in spa resorts; combining
specific spa treatments with a therapeutic education program.
1°) Spa treatments especially adapted for FS patients
Spa treatments are composed of “essential” treatments (bath and pool of mineral
water with exercises, massages) and optional treatments (mud, low pressure showers,
underwater showers). These treatments should be applied progressively. The
tolerance and particularly the fatigability of the patients should be monitored.
2°) Therapeutic education program
The aim of this program is to improve the activities and to maintain participation
to family, social and professional life.
Course of the therapeutic education program:
.at D1 .First medical consultation and first shared educational assessment
(carried out by a health professional trained to the therapeutic education program:
physician, nurse, physiotherapist …)
.from D1 to D21: participation in different workshops or activities (leaded by
professionals trained to the therapeutic education) which are obligatory or optional.
Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 160-161
160
ISBN: 978-84-669-1887-0
978-84-669-3482-4