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Published on: October 22, 2014
[Balneotherapy and modification of risk factors in cardiovascular disease prevention programs]
A L Persiyanova-Dubrova1, N G Badalov2, T V Marfina2
1National Medical Research Center for Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia.
Insights
Balneotherapy may improve cardiovascular disease risk factors, but more high-quality research is needed. This review analyzed studies on lifestyle modifications during balneotherapy for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Preventive Medicine
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death globally and in the Russian Federation.
- Increasing CVD risk factors, aging populations, and economic burdens necessitate novel prevention strategies.
- Balneotherapy, utilizing natural mineral waters and therapeutic muds, is explored for its potential in CVD risk factor modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review scientific literature on the effectiveness of balneotherapy in modifying cardiovascular disease risk factors and lifestyle.
- To identify areas for future research in balneotherapy-based cardiovascular disease prevention.
- To assess the impact of balneotherapy in both resort and non-resort settings.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted in Embase, PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, and eLIBRARY from January 2012 to August 2018.
- Included studies evaluated the effectiveness of balneotherapy interventions on cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- Seven trials were analyzed, focusing on endpoints such as blood pressure, BMI, lipid profile, physical activity, and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- The analyzed trials indicated improvements in key cardiovascular disease risk factors, including blood pressure, body mass index, and lipid profiles.
- Positive effects on physical activity levels and reductions in morbidity and mortality rates were also observed in some studies.
- Significant heterogeneity in study protocols and methodological quality limited the generalization of findings.
Conclusions:
- Balneotherapy interventions show potential for improving cardiovascular disease risk factors and related health outcomes.
- High heterogeneity and methodological limitations across existing studies preclude definitive conclusions on balneotherapy's effectiveness.
- Further high-quality randomized clinical trials are essential to establish robust evidence and develop effective cardiovascular disease prevention strategies incorporating balneotherapy.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Russian Federation, as in many other countries. Taking into consideration the observed increase in the spread of risk factors, modern demographic trends (an increase in the proportion of elderly people), and a high economic burden of circulatory system diseases, the search for new forms and effective strategies of prevention is becoming relevant. OBJECTIVE: To provide the data available in the scientific literature on the effectiveness of the measures to modify risk factors and lifestyle, which are implemented during balneotherapy under both resort and in non-resort conditions, and to define areas for further investigators in this field. Investigations evaluating the effectiveness of these measures were sought in the Embase, PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, eLIBRARY databases in January 2012 to August 2018. The analysis included seven trials that showed an improvement of estimated endpoints (blood pressure, body mass index, lipid profile, physical activity, and morbidity and mortality rates). The generalization of results of the analyzed trials was limited by the high heterogeneity of their protocols and methodological quality, which does not allow for a final conclusion on the effectiveness of preventive measures implemented during balneotherapy. Future research should provide more evidence of the benefits of this approach. The analysis will be able to take into account the existing experience and to develop a strategy to enhance the effectiveness of cardiovascular disease prevention programs based on high-quality randomized clinical trials.
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