title: Radon balneotherapy and physical activity for osteoporosis prevention: a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study.
abstract: Low-dose radon hyperthermia balneo treatment (LDRnHBT) is applied as a traditional measure in the non-pharmacological treatment of rheumatic diseases in Europe. During the last decades, the main approach of LDRnHBT was focused on the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, but scientific evidence for the biological background of LDRnHBT is weak. Recently, evidence emerged that LDRnHBT influences bone metabolism. We investigated, whether combined LDRnHBT and exercise treatment has an impact on bone metabolism and quality of life in a study population in an age group at risk for developing osteoporosis. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comprised guided hiking tours and hyperthermia treatment in either radon thermal water (LDRnHBT) or radon-free thermal water (PlaceboHBT). Markers of bone metabolism, quality of life and somatic complaints were evaluated. Statistics was performed by linear regression and a linear mixed model analysis. Significant changes over time were observed for most analytes investigated as well as an improvement in self-assessed health in both groups. No significant impact from the LDRnHBT could be observed. After 6 months, the LDRnHBT group showed a slightly stronger reduction of the osteoclast stimulating protein receptor activator of nuclear kB-ligand compared to the PlaceboHBT group, indicating a possible trend. A combined hyperthermia balneo and exercise treatment has significant immediate and long-term effects on regulators of bone metabolism as well as somatic complaints. LDRnHBT and placeboHBT yielded statistically equal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winklmayr
authors.affiliation: Statistical Consulting Unit, Department of Statistics, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Akademiestr.1, 80799, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kluge
authors.affiliation: , Mühlbachweg 2, 5081, Anif, Austria.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Winklmayr
authors.affiliation: Statistical Consulting Unit, Department of Statistics, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Akademiestr.1, 80799, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Küchenhoff
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.affiliation: Gastein Research Institute, Paracelsus Medical University, Schareckstrasse 4, 5640, Bad Gastein, Austria.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Strubergasse 21, 5020, Salzburg, Austria. arnulf.hartl@pmu.ac.at.
authors.forename: Arnulf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hartl
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D001452:Balneology; D001862:Bone Resorption; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011788:Quality of Life; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000097:blood; D011886:Radon / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D053245:RANK Ligand; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human; D015675:Osteocalcin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011886:Radon