RETRACTED: Evaluation of the Effect of Balneotherapy (Spa Treatment) on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Associated with JJ Stents: A prospective placebo-controlled study

Abstract

We aimed to assess the effectivity of balneotherapy (spa treatment) on lower urinary tract symptoms associated with JJ stents. Prospectively, the patients who underwent unilateral ureteral stone treatment and ureteral JJ stent placement were divided into 3 groups after the operation: Control, Tolterodine and Balneotherapy groups. The Control group was not receive to any pharmacological intervention, while the Tolterodine group was administered a daily dose of 4 mg of Tolterodine Sustained Release (SR) tablet, and the Balneotherapy group underwent balneotherapy (spa treatment) sessions three times per week, each lasting between half an hour and one hour. Post-operatively 1st week and 4th week ureteral stent symptom scores were measured using use of the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ). A total of 54, 56 and 53 patients were included respectively. When the groups were compared to each other in the 4th week, there was a statistically significant difference between the scores of the first week and the fourth week after treatment in the tolterodine and balneotherapy groups. The p-values were 0.001 and 0.004, respectively. Analgesic using, Urinary symptoms, Body pain scores of Tolterodin and balneotherapy (spa treatment) groups were found to be lower than the control group (p < .001). Balneotherapy (spa treatment) may provide symptom improvement in JJ-stent related complaints.