Stress-relieving effects of short-term balneotherapy - a randomized controlled pilot study in healthy adults.
BACKGROUND
Stress-relieving effects of balneotherapy compared to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and to resting were investigated by measuring subjective relaxation and salivary cortisol. It was also examined whether participants with a high versus low stress level would have a different relaxation response.


METHODS
A sample of healthy volunteers was randomized to balneotherapy, PMR, or a resting control group, each intervention lasting for 25 min. Pre- and post-intervention salivary cortisol samples were collected, and participants rated their status of relaxation on a quantitative scale. In addition, 3 questionnaires were applied to detect participants' stress level and bodily complaints.


RESULTS
49 healthy participants were recruited (65.3% female). In a pre-post comparison, salivary cortisol decreased (F = 23.53, p < 0.001) and subjective relaxation ratings increased (F = 132.18, p < 0.001) in all 3 groups. Study participants in the balneotherapy group rated themselves as more relaxed after the intervention as compared to the other groups (F = 5.22, p < 0.009). Participants with a high versus low stress level differed in somatic symptoms and in morning cortisol levels, but showed a similar relaxation response.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that compared to PMR and resting, balneotherapy seems to be more beneficial with regard to subjective relaxation effects and similarly beneficial with regard to a decrease in salivary cortisol.
Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Franziska
F
Matzer
Eva
E
Nagele
Babak
B
Bahadori
Karl
K
Dam
Christian
C
Fazekas
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001452:Balneology / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006854:Hydrocortisone