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Green exercise and mg-ca-SO4 thermal balneotherapy for the treatment of non-specific chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial

  • D. Huber
  • , C. Grafetstätter
  • , J. Proßegger
  • , C. Pichler
  • , E. Wöll
  • , M. Fischer
  • , M. Dürl
  • , K. Geiersperger
  • , M. Höcketstaller
  • , S. Frischhut
  • , M. Ritter
  • , A. Hartl
  • Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg
  • Departments of Internal Medicine and Orthopedics, General Public Hospital St. Vinzenz
  • Ordination Dr. Stefan Frischhut MSc.
  • Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University
  • Department for Radon Therapy Research, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background
Non-specific chronic low back pain (nscLBP) has a high socio-economic relevance due to its high incidence, prevalence and associated costs. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate effective therapeutic strategies. This study examines the effects of moderate mountain exercise and spa therapy on orthopedic and psychophysiological parameters. Based on a three-armed randomized controlled trial, guided mountain hiking tours and balneotherapy in thermal water were compared to a control group.

Methods
Eighty patients with diagnosed nscLBP were separated into three groups: The two intervention groups GE (green exercise) and GEBT (green exercise and balneotherapy) undertook daily mountain hiking tours, whereas the GEBT group got an additional treatment with baths in Mg-Ca-SO4 thermal water. The third group (CO) received no intervention. GE and GEBT group were treated for 6 days; all groups were followed up for 120 days.

Results
Compared to GE and CO group, the GEBT treatment showed significant improvements of pain, some orthopedic parameters, health-related quality of life and mental well-being in patients with nscLBP.

Conclusions
The results of this study confirmed a benefit of mountain hiking combined with Mg-Ca-SO4 spa therapy as a multimodal treatment of patients with nscLBP. Further studies should focus on long-term-effects of this therapeutic approach.

Trial registration
ISRCTN, ISRCTN99926592. Registered 06. July 2018 - Retrospectively registered. © 2019 The Author(s).
Original languageEnglish
JournalBMC Musculoskelet. Disord.
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 May 2019

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Alpine environment
  • Balneotherapy
  • Chronic non-specific low back pain
  • Green exercise
  • Magnesium-calcium-sulfate thermal water
  • Moderate altitude
  • Mountain exercise
  • Mountain hiking
  • Nature therapy
  • Spa therapy
  • adult
  • Article
  • balneotherapy
  • chronic disease
  • clinical effectiveness
  • controlled study
  • daily life activity
  • depression
  • exercise
  • female
  • follow up
  • green exercise
  • human
  • low back pain
  • major clinical study
  • male
  • non specific chronic low back pain
  • outcome assessment
  • psychological well-being
  • quality of life
  • randomized controlled trial
  • spa treatment
  • spine mobility
  • therapy effect
  • thermal balneotherapy
  • age
  • aged
  • heat
  • middle aged
  • multimodality cancer therapy
  • pain measurement
  • procedures
  • sex factor
  • treatment outcome
  • young adult
  • mineral water
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Balneology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mineral Waters
  • Pain Measurement
  • Quality of Life
  • Sex Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

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