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The effectiveness of balneotherapy and aquatic exercise on bone metabolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Xiaoling Lv1, Jirong Wang1, Yizhong Bao1
1Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab of Geriatrics, Department of Geriatrics, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, 310013, China.
Objective:
To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of balneotherapy and/or aquatic exercise on bone metabolism.
Design:
A systematic literature search was conducted from inception to January 4, 2021. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a fixed-effect model according to study heterogeneity.
Results:
Seven articles involving 467 participants were selected. Three balneotherapy studies were qualitatively integrated. The results showed that bone resorption slowed down with or without stimulation of bone formation. A pooled meta-analysis of four studies on aquatic exercise showed significant evidence for a reduction in parathyroid hormone (PTH; SMD = -0.71; 95% CI, -1.04 to -0.38; P < 0.001), and a significant increase in osteocalcin (OC; SMD = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.16 to 1.03; P = 0.007) after aquatic exercise.
Conclusion:
Balneotherapy and aquatic exercise had significant effects on bone metabolism, reducing bone resorption and/or increasing bone formation. This study highlights the importance of balneotherapy and aquatic exercise for bone health.
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