title: Stress and Fatigue Management Using Balneotherapy in a Short-Time Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: Objective. To investigate the influence of high-salinity geothermal mineral water on stress and fatigue. Method. 180 seamen were randomized into three groups: geothermal (65), music (50), and control (65). The geothermal group was administered 108 g/L salinity geothermal water bath for 2 weeks five times a week. Primary outcome was effect on stress and fatigue. Secondary outcomes were the effect on cognitive function, mood, and pain. Results. The improvements after balneotherapy were a reduction in the number and intensity of stress-related symptoms, a reduction in pain and general, physical, and mental fatigue, and an improvement in stress-related symptoms management, mood, activation, motivation, and cognitive functions with effect size from 0.8 to 2.3. In the music therapy group, there were significant positive changes in the number of stress symptoms, intensity, mood, pain, and activity with the effect size of 0.4 to 1.1. The researchers did not observe any significant positive changes in the control group. The comparison between the groups showed that balneotherapy was superior to music therapy and no treatment group. Conclusions. Balneotherapy is beneficial for stress and fatigue reduction in comparison with music or no therapy group. Geothermal water baths have a potential as an efficient approach to diminish stress caused by working or living conditions.
authors.affiliation: Klaipeda Seamen's Health Care Center, Taikos Street 46, LT-91213 Klaipėda, Lithuania; Department of Nursing of Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Lolita
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5089-4095
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rapolienė
authors.affiliation: Klaipeda Seamen's Hospital, Liepojos Street 45, LT-92288 Klaipėda, Lithuania; Faculty of Health Science, Klaipėda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Artūras
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Razbadauskas
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing of Klaipeda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania; Klaipeda Seamen's Hospital, Liepojos Street 45, LT-92288 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sąlyga
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Klaipėda University, H. Manto Street 84, LT-92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Arvydas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martinkėnas