Study on the effect of radon therapy for osteochondrosis

Balneotherapy is one of the most common rehabilitation methods for osteochondrosis. A special form is radon therapy, which uses radon radiation (Rn) for therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitative purposes. While numerous studies report a positive effect of radon baths on patients with osteochondrosis, there are also studies that have been unable to demonstrate a significant effect. The aim of this study conducted by T. Polshchakova was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of radon baths in osteochondrosis.

40 patients with osteochondrosis and radicular syndrome were randomly divided into two groups of 20 people each (equal gender distribution). The intervention group received balneotherapy with radon-containing thermal water (whole-body baths at 34-36 °C, lasting 10-15 minutes, every two days, 10 treatments in total). The control group received baths with normal tap water under the same conditions in order to minimize placebo effects.

A reduction in pain and an improvement in mobility were only observed in the radon group. However, these effects were limited to the spine and did not occur in the joints of the extremities.

The study shows that radon baths can contribute to pain relief and increased mobility of the spine in osteochondrosis. These results underline the potential of radon therapy as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation concept and justify further research.