Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects
Are in progress a RCT on COPD (BPCeaux, 337 patients to enrol), a RCT on
subacute lumbar pain (ITILO, 700 patients to enrol), a RCT on post-DVT patients’
education (stage-post-thrombose, 240 patients to enrol).
Pilot investigations have been implemented or are in progress concerning the
metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, psychotropic drugs withdrawal, therapeutic
education of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.
So scientific investigation has to come with usual balneotherapy but also with
the development of new trends which have to be scientifically assessed from their
initiation.
The AFRETH provided also
a) an experts agreement on the methodology of thermal scientific investigation
(2006)
b) an unpublished meta-analysis of the existing clinical randomized controlled
trials (Pr JP Boissel, cric@t, Laennec School of Medicine, Lyon,
France)(2006).
Conclusions
From our experience, we have to emphasize the difficulties related to the patients’
enrolment and the need of new methodological designs, alternative to usual
RCT to investigate such a complex therapeutic intervention. France has engaged a
significant endeavor in the field of balneology investigation, but now a large and
international cooperation in balneology investigation would be necessary.
Keywords: Balneotherapy, Research, Actual Medical Benefit, Meta-Analysis,
Expert Consensus
48
Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 47-48