title: The effects of balneotherapy on blood pressure and pulse in osteoarthritis patients with hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Balneotherapy is a treatment modality that uses the physical and chemical effects of water, including thermomineral, acratothermal, and acratopegal waters. Although balneotherapy is an ancient treatment method that has a limited use within current treatment modalities, it is still widely popular with the public. Studies usually have reported that balneotherapy is associated with an increased risk of complications, especially in patients with hypertension (HT).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The research team intended this study to evaluate the effects of balneotherapy on peripheral, arterial blood pressure and pulse in osteoarthritis (OA) patients with HT, compared to normotensive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the current study, the research team examined the medical records of 5814 patients who were hospitalized and treated for OA at the team's institution between 2008 and 2010. This examination involved a review of the evaluation form that a nurse had obtained when those patients entered the hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was done at a balneotherapy hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 2090 individuals, including 1036 (49.6%) with primary (essential) HT and 1054 (50.4%) normotensives, with OA of the lumbosacral region, knee, hand, and foot.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants received balneotherapy at the same time every day (10:00-10:30 AM) for 20 min/d, 5 d/wk, for a total duration of 15 d. Following balneotherapy, all participants performed an exercise program consisting of range of motion (ROM) and stretching exercises.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements of pulse and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded before treatment and after 15 sessions of balneotherapy. Within-group and between-group comparisons of results of pulse and systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study found a significant reduction after treatment in systolic and diastolic blood pressures in both normotensive and HT participants. Moreover, the reduction in diastolic blood pressure was noted to be greater in the HT group (P = .046).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Balneotherapy may be suggested as an alternative treatment in OA patients with HT.
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Umay
authors.forename: Mustafa Kemal
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Tezelli
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meshur
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Umay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001452:Balneology / Q000379:methods*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*