Study on the effect of mud baths on osteoporosis

A. Loi et al.

July 2013

Fango treatment

Osteoporosis / Bones

The Italian study led by A. Loi investigated the effects of long-term mud baths on bone density in women with osteoarthritis. In a SPA center in Sardara (Italy), 250 women received annual two-week treatments with whole-body mud packs and mineral water baths.

Bone density was measured using heel bone ultrasound and showed thatafter more than 10 years of mud bath therapy (group A)and after 3-10 years of mud bath therapy (group B),women suffered less frequently from osteopenia and osteoporosis than the control group without mud bath therapy (group C). The incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 35.8% and 7.6% in group A, 38.4% and 8.5% in group B, while it was significantly higher in group C (48.9% and 23.4% respectively). In addition, significantly better T-score values were measured in the mud bath therapy groups.

These results suggest that regular mud baths over a longer period of time can have a positive impact on bone health, especially in postmenopausal women.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Osteoarthritis
Institution: Centro Studi Antiche Terme di Sardara, Santa Maria de is Acquas, Sardara (CA), Italy
Title: Study on the effect of mud baths on osteoporosis
Brief description: The study shows that mud baths can reduce the risk of osteoporosis and improve bone density.
Original title: Bone mineral density in women on long-term mud-bath therapy in a Salus per Aquam (SPA) environment
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23884027/