Study on Dead Sea climate therapies for ankylosing spondylitis

Shlomi Codish et al.

July 2005

Climate treatment

Healing & thermal therapy

Rheumatism / Joints / Arthritis / Arthrosis

Spine / Discs

The aim of the study was to determine the extent to which spa treatments (hydrotherapy) and climatotherapy at the Dead Sea are an effective therapy for ankylosing spondylitis.

28 patients were divided into two groups per session of 14 people. The first group received a combined treatment consisting of balneotherapy (mud packs and sulphur baths) and climatotherapy, i.e. the unique climatic conditions there were used. The participants in the second group received freshwater baths and were also exposed to the healing climate. The duration of treatment was 2 weeks; the post-treatment phase was 3 months.

Both groups showed significant improvements in the BASDAI as well as in the VAS scales for pain intensity and spinal mobility. The quality of life, which was described as very low in the SF 36 questionnaire before the start of treatment, had improved in terms of pain intensity in the participants in group 1 (combined treatment).

The study has shown that healing therapy at the Dead Sea can improve the health of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Ankylosing spondylitis
Institution: Department of Internal Medicine, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
Title: Study on climate and bathing therapies at the Dead Sea for ankylosing spondylitis
Brief description: The study shows that hydrotherapy and climatotherapies can improve mobility and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Original title: Spa therapy for ankylosing spondylltis at the Dead Sea
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16011060/