Clinical and economic analysis of spa therapy in Parkinson's disease.
The effectiveness of spa therapy in the management of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) has never been evaluated. This is assessed in this pilot study. A prospective, randomized, cross-over, controlled study was conducted in 31 PD patients who underwent a 20-week spa period, including spa therapy for 3 weeks, and a 20-week non-spa period. Effectiveness was assessed using quality of life scales (PDQ-39 and SF-36), motor scale (UPDRS) and psychological questionnaire (GHQ-28), at baseline and at 4 (T4) and at 20 weeks (T20). Direct medical costs (radiological and laboratory tests, physician fees, drug therapy, and ancillary care) were recorded over each 20-week period. At T4, spa therapy improved significantly several dimensions of PDQ-39 and SF-36, part IV of the UPDRS, and GHQ-28. At T20, no difference in any parameter was found. The mean direct medical cost over 20 weeks (euro;1,328 +/- 167; pound 776 +/- 97 per patient) in the spa period was slightly but significantly reduced in comparison with that of the non-spa period (euro;1380 +/- 523; pound 807 +/- 306 per patient). This cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that spa therapy is more effective and less expensive than conventional treatment alone and could be beneficial in the management of PD.
Brefel-Courbon
Christine
C
Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, Laboratoire de Médecine Thermale, University Hospital, Toulouse, France. brefel@cict.fr
Desboeuf
Karine
K
Thalamas
Claire
C
Galitzky
Monique
M
Senard
Jean-Michel
JM
Rascol
Olivier
O
Montastruc
Jean-Louis
JL
D001452:Balneology / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006294:Health Resorts; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage / Q000191:economics*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors