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Research: BREFEL-COURBON and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 96
Abstract
BREFEL-COURBON and colleagues, Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, Laboratoire de Medecine Thermale, University Hospital, Toulouse, France, brefel@cict.fr have conducted a trial of spa therapy in Parkinson's disease.
Background
In this pilot study, the effectiveness of spa therapy in the management of Parkinson's disease was evaluated.
Methodology
A prospective, randomized controlled cross-over study was conducted in 31 patients. Patients underwent a 20-week spa period including a 3-week long spa therapy, and a 20-week non-spa period. Quality of life measures (PDQ-39 and SF-36), motor scales (UPDRS) and psychological data (GHQ-28) were taken at baseline, 4 weeks, and 20 weeks. Direct medical costs were recorded over each 20-week period.
Results
At 4 weeks, spa therapy improved significantly several dimensions of quality of life, part IV of UPDRS and GHQ-28. At 20 weeks, no difference in any parameter was found. Mean direct medical cost was slightly but significantly reduced over the spa period as compared to the non-spa period.
Conclusion
The cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that spa therapy is more effective and less expensive than conventional treatment and could be beneficial in the management of Parkinson's disease.
References
Brefel-Courbon C, Desboeuf K, Thalamas C, Galitzky M, Senard JM, Rascol O, Monastruc JL. Clinical and economic analysis of spa therapy in Parkinson's disease. Movement Disorders 18 (5): 578-584, May 2003.
