The Medium-Term Effects of Spa Resort Therapy
- VernacularTitle:The Medium-Term Effects of Spa Resort Therapy
- Author:
Akira DEGUCHI
1
Author Information
- From:The Journal of The Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine 2014;78(1):3-5
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: The Oyamada General Complex of Medicine and Welfare located in the suburbs about 10 km from the center of Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, consists of a hospital, two health service facilities for the elderly, two special nursing homes for the elderly, a care house, two day service center, a group home, and other facilities. There is also an Oyamada Spa Community Home, a spa facility available from morning until night. We conducted a questionnaire survey for users of the Oyamada Spa Community Home, day service, and day care. The results of the survey revealed the effects of the spa including pain relief, increased appetite, and good sleep in the daily users of this spa. To the patients with dementia who stays in the facilities and took a bath with assistance during the day twice a week, bathing assistance was given during the night twice a week for 9-12 weeks. As a result, their behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and sleeping conditions showed improvement. In 2012, a path of about 500 m around the hospital was prepared, and forest bathing has also been provided. The path has been used for the rehabilitation and care prevention of both inpatients and outpatients. The hospital staff members (40-65 of age) were instructed to walk the path for 8-9 weeks, and the effects including decreased weight were then observed in those who walked more than three days a week. We present an overview of the research results on spa resort therapy including spa, exercise therapy, diet therapy, and climatotherapy, especially during the period of 2-3 months.
