The effectiveness of balneotherapy in relieving chronic low back pain has been scientifically proven. This project aims to study in what extent a Balneotherapy program in São Pedro do Sul Thermal Baths influences chronic low back pain of individuals aged 65 and above, and in what order of magnitude it happens, on which domains (functional, psychological, biophysical and socioeconomic) and it's repercussions. For that, the investigators intended to carry out a project subdivided into two tasks. The first, and the most complex, with a holistic approach, will be carried out by a randomized controlled study (RCT) with focus on the various biopsychosocial domains of patients with chronic lumbar pain. Concerning the second task, another RCT will be carried out aiming for statistically significant changes in the lumbar thermographic maps before and after treatment, as well as the theoretical framework of all the findings.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
30
parafango in the lumbar region 20min/day; High frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), 100 Hz, 0,04-0,2mseg, 20 min/day; lumbar flexibility self-exercise plan
Immersion in a thermal pool with 15 minutes of automatic hydromassage and 15 minutes of spine flexibility exercises; thermal steam treatment to spinal column; hydromassage bath with Vichy thermal water
Termalistur - Termas de São Pedro do Sul
São Pedro do Sul, Viseu District, Portugal
Numerical Rating Scale
Pain assessment; From "0" (minimum - better) to "10" (maximum - worse)
Time frame: two weeks
Oswestry Disability Index, version 2.0
Functional assessment; From "0%" (minimum - better) to "100%" (maximum - worse)
Time frame: two weeks
The Short Form-36
Quality of life assessment; From "0" (minimum - worse) to "100" (maximum - better)
Time frame: two weeks
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
Depression assessment; From "0" (minimum - better) to "60" (maximum - worse)
Time frame: two weeks
Satisfaction with life scale - 5 items version
Satisfaction with life scale assessment; From "5" (minimum - worse) to "35" (maximum - better)
Time frame: two weeks
International Physical Activity Questionnaire - short version
Physical activity assessment; low values (worse) vs high values (better)
Time frame: two weeks
Fatigue Assessment Scale
Fatigue assessment; From "10" (minimum - better) to "50" (maximum - worse)
Time frame: two weeks
Dolorimeter
Pain assessment; low values (worse) vs high values (better)
Time frame: two weeks
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