Positive Health Online

Abstract

STRAUSS-BLASCHE and colleagues, Department of Physiology, University of Vienna, Austria, gerhard.strauss-blasche@univie.ac.at, investigate the seasonal variations in the effect of spa therapy on chronic pain.

Background

Conventional spa therapy research suggests that the effects are subject to seasonal variation.

Methodology

268 women and 119 men with noninflammatory chronic pain were studied. Patients stayed at an Austrian spa for 3 weeks and received 2-4 treatments per day. Treatments included mudpacks, massages, and exercise therapy. Pain, mood, and fatigue were measured pre-treatment, post treatment and 6 weeks post treatment. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance controlling for possible group differences between seasons and cosinor analysis.

Results

The effect of spa therapy was found to be season dependent. Short-term decrease of pain was best between April and June, and medium-term pain relief was best between October and November, with a second minor peak in autumn and spring. The magnitude of the variation was greater for back pain (approximately 30%) than for joint pain (approximately 20%). Mood was also improved most between April and June. The observed seasonal variations do not correspond to the well-known annual changes in many physiological and psychological parameters.

Conclusion

The study suggests that the effects of spa therapy and possibly other complementary therapies and physical therapies are subject to seasonal variation.

References

Strauss-Blasche G, Ekmekcioglu C, Leibetseder V, Melchart H, Marktl W, et al. Seasonal variation in effect of spa therapy on chronic pain. Chronobiology International 19 (2): 483-495, Mar 2002.