A Systematic Review of Cohort Studies of the Preventive Effects of Balneotherapy for Locomotorium Diseases

VernacularTitle:温泉による運動器疾患の予防効果に関するコホート研究のシステマティック・レビュー
Author: Hiroharu KAMIOKA ; Nobuyoshi SHIOZAWA ; Hiroyasu OKUIZUMI ; Shinpei OKADA ; Shuichi HANDA ; Jun KITAYUGUCHI ; Masamitsu KAMADA
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: spa; cohort study; systematic review; locomotorium
From:The Journal of The Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine 2010;73(2):85-91
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to systemically review cohort studies of the preventive effects on locomotorium diseases in order to collectively evaluate the evidence.
We searched the databases of PubMed, CINAHL, and lchushi-Web for papers published from1990 to September 17, 2009. The search was not limited by the language in which the paper was written.
We found only one article (in Japanese) that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Results in this article showed that bone fractures were significantly lower in the group with two times or more utilization of the hot spa bathing per year compared to the group with one time or less utilization per year, even after adjusting for the confounding effects of exercise habits and WHO-QOL. However, a metaanalysis could not be applied.
We propose that it is necessary to conduct more cohort studies in which researchers choose suitable outcome measurements that assess long term effects.