Study on balneotherapy for lumbar pain syndrome

The study led by Elif Yolgösteren and Sevinç Külekçioğlu investigated the effectiveness of balneotherapy and water exercises in patients with postoperative chronic back pain.

Participants were 43 people who had undergone surgery for a herniated disc and had been experiencing back and/or leg pain for at least 6 months. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 received water exercises (33 °C, 20 min/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks). Both groups then received dry training with walking, strengthening and stretching exercises for hip, abdominal, back and lumbar muscles (20 min/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks).

Measurement points were before treatment, after 2 weeks, and after 1 and 6 months. The parameters assessed were pain intensity (VAS), mobility (Modified Schober Test, finger-to-ground distance), muscle strength (Sorensen Test, Progressive Iso-inertial Lifting Evaluation), functionality (Rolland Morris Disability Index, Leeds Disability Scale), psychological stress (Beck Depression Inventory) and quality of life (Nottingham Health Profile, SF-36 Health Survey).

Both groups showed significant improvements in almost all parameters - except in the Sorensen test. The water exercise group showed greater improvements in the VAS, Sorensen, NHP and SF-36 scores compared to the dry training group.

Balneotherapy and aquatic exercise are effective measures to relieve pain, improve mobility and enhance quality of life in patients with post-operative chronic back pain.