Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2006; 11: 33–4
The aim of this prospective controlled study was to investigate whether Kneipp hydrotherapy with short cold water stimuli contributes to alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia and depressed mood. No prior studies could be retrieved addressing this subject.
The study included 80 women (mean age 55.0 ± 4.93 years) with menopausal symptoms [with a minimum score of 10 points on the Menopause Rating Scale II (MRS II), a validated 11-item questionnaire]. Patients were randomised either into group 1 (immediately starting 6 weeks of home-based hydrotherapy as intervention) or group 2 (waiting for 6 weeks before beginning the same intervention). After 6 weeks of therapy all patients were asked to continue for another 6 weeks.
Sixty women completed the study. After 6 weeks means for MRS II showed significant improvements in favour of intervention (group 1 from 20.7 ± 5.84 to 11.9 ± 6.46, group 2 from 21.6 ± 5.70 to 17.6 ± 5.22; group comparison P < 0.05 Mann–Whitney U-test). At the end of 12 weeks of intervention both groups demonstrated marked improvements for the MRS II (group 1 11.0 ± 5.53, group 2 10.7 ± 6.11; not significant).
Cold stimuli such as those used in Kneipp hydrotherapy seem to be effective in alleviation of menopausal symptoms. Further studies are needed to examine both the mode of action of hydrotherapy and longer term effects.
