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    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/

    Suitable trips for this study topic

      Stress treatmentfrom $168
      Balneotherapy
      Hydrotherapyfrom $187

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