[Pilot study of breathing therapy in groups for patients with bronchial asthma]. / Pilotuntersuchung zu atemtherapeutischem Gruppenunterricht bei Patienten mit Asthma bronchiale.

BACKGROUND: The present study examines the efficacy of breathing and body therapy (according to the organization of breathing therapists, BVA) on bronchial asthma. This psychophysical therapy procedure has never before been studied for its efficacy on asthma, much in contrast to breathing exercises, which have been extensively examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This uncontrolled observational study is of preliminary character. It examines the influence of psychophysical breathing and body exercises practiced in short-term intervention groups on quality of life (SF-36) as well as subjective discomfort (discomfort diary) in patients with bronchial asthma. As there are no prior studies on the breathing and body therapy (BVA) method, it was hypothesized, based on experience, that it would improve ventilation, lower anxiety, and perhaps even allow for a reduction of medication. RESULTS: An anti-obstructive effect could not be addressed here, as the study only included patients who were free of clinically relevant obstructions through conventional treatment. However, a tendency for an anxiety-relieving effect could be observed in the SF-36. Subjective reports of respiratory discomfort, obtained through assessment of the patients' diaries, did not show any tendencies or even significant changes over the course of the therapy. CONCLUSION: The suggested anxiety-relieving effect of breathing therapy should be examined in future studies with more patients and stricter inclusion criteria.

Thermal hydrotherapy improves quality of life and hemodynamic function in patients with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure is characterized by increased peripheral vascular resistance and reduced peripheral perfusion due to adrenergic and renin angiotensin activation and impaired endothelial function. Recent studies have shown that nonpharmacological peripheral vasodilation with thermal therapy by means of warm-water baths and sauna has beneficial effects in chronic heart failure. European hydrotherapy (according to Kneipp) additionally uses short cold water stimuli, which lead to prolonged vasodilation and adaptive responses. Studies on the efficacy of hydrotherapy in chronic heart failure are lacking. METHODS: We studied 15 patients (5 men, 10 women, mean (+/- SD) age 64.3 +/- 1.8 years) with mild chronic heart failure (NYHA functional class II to III, ejection fraction 30%-40%). Patients were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of intensive home-based hydrotherapy or 6 weeks restriction in a crossover intervention trial. Quality of life and heart-failure--related symptoms were assessed by means of a validated questionnaire (PLC). Graded bicycle exercise test with incremental workloads (0, 50, 75, 100 watts) was performed at the end of each treatment period. The hydrotherapeutic program consisted of a structured combination of daily home-based external warm- and cold-water applications. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were balanced between the groups. With hydrotherapy, a significant (P < or =.05) improvement in 3 of 6 dimensions of quality of life (mood, physical capacity, enjoyment) and a significant reduction in heart-failure-related symptoms was found. Heart rates at rest and at 50-Watt workload were significantly reduced by hydrotherapy; blood pressure decreased nonsignificantly at rest and during exercise. The hydrotherapeutic treatment was well accepted and no relevant adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A home-based hydrotherapeutic thermal treatment program improves quality of life, heart-failure-related symptoms and heart rate response to exercise in patients with mild chronic heart failure. The results of this investigation suggest a beneficial adaptive response to repeated brief cold stimuli in addition to enhanced peripheral perfusion due to thermal hydrotherapy in patients with chronic heart failure.

The effect of hydrotherapy on the incidence of common cold episodes in children: a randomised clinical trial.

UNLABELLED: Few interventions have proved to be effective in the prevention and treatment of common colds. Anecdotal reports suggest the possible beneficial effect of hydrotherapy (stimulation of the body surface with warm and cold water). This study's objective was to evaluate the clinical effect of hydrotherapy on common colds in children. Children aged 3-7 years with six or more common cold episodes during the preceding 12 months were randomised to receive either daily inhalation of normal saline in the control group or daily inhalation plus daily hydrotherapy in the experimental group for 12 months. The main outcome measurements were incidence, duration and severity of common cold episodes as reported by the children's parents in a daily symptom diary. Groups did not differ at baseline with regard to age, gender, or number of cold episodes in the year before the study. Diaries were available from 81 patients in the control group and 65 patients in the experimental group. In the study period, there were no significant differences in the incidence of colds (control vs. experimental group, mean +/- SD, 4.8+/-3.5 vs. 4.1+/-3.3 episodes) or the average duration of episodes (7.7+/-3.5 vs. 7.6+/-3.8 days). CONCLUSION: This study does not demonstrate any beneficial effect of hydrotherapy on preschool children with frequent common colds.