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Balneotherapy as a Complementary Intervention for Stress and Cortisol Reduction: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Submitted:

26 December 2024

Posted:

27 December 2024

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Abstract
Background: In our modern era, stress has become a pervasive challenge, affecting individuals across all ages and backgrounds. Acute or chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels, are known to impair neurological function and hinder rehabilitation outcomes. Therefore, effective treatment methods that reduce stress, enhance mental health, and promote overall well-being are urgently needed. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal effects of balneotherapy on distress, salivary cortisol, and integrative outcomes. Methods: A multicenter, randomized controlled, single-blinded parallel-group trial was conducted in 2023 across six medical spa centers in Lithuania. Participants with stress intensity >3 points (VAS) underwent combined natural resource-based therapies over a 1- to 2-week treatment period. Outcomes were assessed using the General Symptom Distress and Arizona Integrative Outcomes scales, along with salivary cortisol measurements. Results: The results demonstrated a significant reduction in distress intensity by 1–3.5 points (VAS), with winter interventions showing greater efficacy compared to other seasons. Participants also experienced an increase in well-being by up to 3 points (VAS), improved stress management by up to 1.9 points (VAS), and a reduction in salivary cortisol levels by 0.9 units following winter-based treatments. Conclusions: Our study provides robust evidence for the stress-reducing effects of balneotherapy, particularly highlighting the enhanced efficacy of winter interventions. These findings are especially relevant for neurological rehabilitation, where stress reduction and improved autonomic regulation can support neuroplasticity, recovery processes, and overall quality of life. This research offers valuable insights for developing holistic, seasonally optimized strategies to aid stress management and promote neurological health.
Keywords: 
Subject: 
Public Health and Healthcare  -   Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Copyright: This open access article is published under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, which permit the free download, distribution, and reuse, provided that the author and preprint are cited in any reuse.
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