The AFRETH Experience of Prevention and Education in French Spas Resorts

Abstract

In the last years, prevention and education has emerged as a crucial issue for the chronic patients undergoing balneotherapy.General information on health and/or diseases can be offered through public conferences and the dissemination of leaflets. Thermal care facilities have a deep expertise in the delivery of practical education coming in the form of dedicated workshops. Particular programmes combining hydro-thermal cares, rehabilitation and education are also implemented. Law regulated programmes of patient therapeutic education (PTE) are frequently delivered in spa resorts.Scientific assessment of prevention and education is an important part of the AFRETH activity: 13 RCT have been dedicated to the actual medical benefit demonstration (5 have been published, 3 are in progress and 5 are ongoing) and 14 studies (8 RCT and 6 observational studies) have been dedicated to prevention and education interventions assessment.6 studies have been published concerning prevention and/or education in post breast cancer rehabilitation (RCT), metabolic syndrome, psychotropic drug withdrawal, adapted physical activity, cognitive decline, chronic low back pain patients with sick-leave (RCT); three studies are in press: chronic venous insufficiency, frailty risk factors, overweight (RCT). In progress trials are assessing PTE in patients with fibromyalgia (RCT), upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (RCT), ecoached adapted physical activity (RCT). 3 RCT are ongoing: education in knee osteoarthritis, sleep disorders, prevention of falls in the elderly.The results of these different studies confirm the relevance of prevention and/or education delivered during spa therapy on weight control (Prisme, Pacthe), adapted physical activity (Pacthe, T Cap, MAPT), stress control (Specth, Pacthe), cognitive stimulation (MAPT), quality of life (Pacthe, TCap), sleep (Specth, Pacthe), activities (Tcap, Pacthe). The ongoing results will arguably confirm these first results and show the interest on pain control and falls prevention.