Study on balneotherapy for general health problems

This study conducted by Bei Yang et al. investigated the positive effects of five months of balneotherapy with thermal water on mental stress, sleep disorders, general health problems and women's complaints in people with mild health problems.

500 volunteers from Chongqing were recruited, 362 of whom completed the study. While the intervention group took regular thermal baths for five months, the control group received no treatment. Both groups were analyzed before and after the study using questionnaires (e.g. on stress, sleep quality and general health problems) and physical examinations (e.g. blood pressure, blood sugar, body measurements).

After the intervention, the thermal bath group showed a significant improvement in sleep disorders (difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep with dreams and nightmares, easy awakening and difficulty falling asleep again after awakening), mental stress and general health problems (headaches, joint pain, calf and foot cramps, blurred vision).

In addition, symptoms such as fatigue, eye strain, numbness in the limbs and female complaints (e.g. breast tenderness, menstrual pain, irregular cycle) improved in the intervention group in self-comparison, but not significantly compared to the control group.

Further analysis showed that the frequency, duration and location of balneotherapy significantly influenced the improvement of emotions, sleep and general health. In addition, older participants benefited more from the treatment than younger ones.

The waistline of women under 55 years of age decreased significantly as a result of balneotherapy, while there were no significant changes in men.

Thermal bath therapy can help people with mild health problems to alleviate sleep disorders, stress and general health problems. Women in particular also benefit from a reduction in waist circumference.