title: The effects of balneotherapy on acute, process-related, and cumulative peripheral cardiac responses and pulmonary functions in patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the effects of balneotherapy on acute, process-related, and cumulative peripheral cardiac responses and pulmonary functions in patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-eight patients with musculoskeletal disorders referred to physiotherapy with balneotherapy were recruited. The patients received balneotherapy for 20 min 5 times per week for 2 weeks. Blood pressure and pulse were measured at the 0th, 5th, 10th, 20th, and 30th minutes during the 1st and 10th sessions. All patients were subjected to pulmonary function testing before balneotherapy and after the 10th session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that systolic blood pressure decreased between the 10th and 20th minutes of the 1st session and between the 10th and 20th minutes and the 20th and 30th minutes of the 10th session (P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased and pulse increased during balneotherapy (P < 0.05). DBP increase and pulse decrease were observed during recovery time (P < 0.05). The blood pressure decreased and the pulse increased after the 1st session and after the 10th session (P < 0.05). Pulmonary function improved after balneotherapy (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Balneotherapy may be effective for improving peripheral cardiopulmonary responses in patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Training Research Hospital, Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Senem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Şaş
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Şeyda
authors.initials: Ş
authors.lastname: Toprak Çelenay
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, İzmir Kâtip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Derya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Özer Kaya
mesh_terms: D001452:Balneology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases
keywords: Balneotherapy; blood pressure; pulmonary function; pulse