Study on the effect of short-term balneotherapy on stress

Franziska Matzer et al.

May 2014

Anti-stress

Healing & thermal therapy

Stress / Exhaustion

The stress-reducing effects of balneotherapy compared to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and rest were investigated by measuring subjective relaxation and salivary cortisol levels. It was also tested whether participants with high versus low stress levels showed a different relaxation response.

A sample of healthy volunteers was randomized into the balneotherapy, PMR or rest control groups, with each intervention lasting 25 minutes. Saliva samples were collected before and after the intervention to determine cortisol levels, and participants rated their relaxation status on a quantitative scale. In addition, 3 questionnaires were used to record the participants' stress levels and physical complaints.

49 healthy participants (65.3% women) were recruited for the study conducted by Franziska Matzer et al. In a pre-post comparison , salivary cortisol levels decreased and subjective relaxation ratings increased in all 3 groups. Study participants in the balneotherapy group rated themselves as more relaxed after the intervention compared to the other groups. Participants with high versus low stress levels differed in somatic symptoms and morning cortisol levels, but showed a similar relaxation response.

The results suggest that balneotherapy appears to be more beneficial compared to PMR and rest in terms of subjective relaxation effects and equally beneficial in terms of lowering salivary cortisol levels.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Stress
Institution: Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
Title: Study on the effect of short-term balneotherapy on stress
Brief description: The study shows that balneotherapy leads to an increase in subjective relaxation and a reduction in salivary cortisol levels.
Original title: Stress-relieving effects of short-term balneotherapy - a randomized controlled pilot study in healthy adults
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24851847/