The effect of hydrotherapy on the incidence of common cold episodes in children: a randomised clinical trial.
Few interventions have proved to be effective in the prevention and treatment of common colds. Anecdotal reports suggest the possible beneficial effect of hydrotherapy (stimulation of the body surface with warm and cold water). This study's objective was to evaluate the clinical effect of hydrotherapy on common colds in children. Children aged 3-7 years with six or more common cold episodes during the preceding 12 months were randomised to receive either daily inhalation of normal saline in the control group or daily inhalation plus daily hydrotherapy in the experimental group for 12 months. The main outcome measurements were incidence, duration and severity of common cold episodes as reported by the children's parents in a daily symptom diary. Groups did not differ at baseline with regard to age, gender, or number of cold episodes in the year before the study. Diaries were available from 81 patients in the control group and 65 patients in the experimental group. In the study period, there were no significant differences in the incidence of colds (control vs. experimental group, mean +/- SD, 4.8+/-3.5 vs. 4.1+/-3.3 episodes) or the average duration of episodes (7.7+/-3.5 vs. 7.6+/-3.8 days).


CONCLUSIONS
This study does not demonstrate any beneficial effect of hydrotherapy on preschool children with frequent common colds.
Grüber
Christoph
C
Department of Paediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité-Children's Hospital, , Humboldt University, Campus Virchow, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany. christoph.grueber@charite.de.
Riesberg
Annette
A
Advisory Board to the Concerted Action in Health Care, Federal Ministry of Health, Am Probsthof 78a, 53121, Bonn, Germany.
Mansmann
Ulrich
U
Institute for Medical Biometry and Informatics, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
Knipschild
Paul
P
Department of General Practice, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD , Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Wahn
Ulrich
U
Department of Paediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité-Children's Hospital, , Humboldt University, Campus Virchow, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
Bühring
Malte
M
Department of Naturopathy, Benjamin Franklin University Hospital, Free University, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200, Berlin, Germany.
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003139:Common Cold / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage
D012965:Sodium Chloride