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Spa therapy and burn scar treatment: a systematic review of the literature

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Abstract

Spa therapy is an integral part of the treatment of burn scars. The objective of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the spa therapy used in the treatment of burn scars and analyze its effects reported in clinical studies. We used the PRISMA checklist and queried 8 scientific databases from August 2019 to July 2020 for articles referenced with the specific key words: (burn) AND ((spa) OR (crenotherap*) OR (sulfur bath) OR (balneo*) OR (hydrotherap*) OR (mineral water) OR (thermal water) OR (spring water) OR (health resort medicine)). We used the EPHPP-QAT to assess the quality of the studies. Out of 10,050 publications identified in our database searches, 3 studies were selected: 2 clinical trials and 1 descriptive multicenter study that polled surgeons for their opinion on spa therapy for burn patients. All of the articles concluded that spa therapy is positive in burn scar recovery. No strong study on the effectiveness of spa therapy for burn scars care according to the EPHPP-QAT was identified. Spa therapy in the Saint Gervais spa center appears to be the only spa technique to have been evaluated for burn scar care. This review underscores the need to perform clinical studies to evaluate the effects and benefits of spa therapy for burn scars on patient’s quality of life, and improve our understanding of the mechanisms of action of physiotherapy. Care programs should be harmonized in order to conduct multicenter studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research team INTERPSY EA 4432, axe PRISME, Medical School of Nancy, University of Lorraine, Interregional Burn Treatment Center for Adults, Mercy Regional Hospital (Metz-Thionville), 1 allée du château, 57530, Ars-Laquenexy, France

    Camille Gravelier

  2. Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Laboratory of Medical Hydrology and Climatology, Faculté de Médecine, University Hospital of Nancy – Research Team INTERPSY, axe PRISME, University of Lorraine, 9 rue de la Forêt de Haye, 54505, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France

    Gisèle Kanny

  3. Interregional Burn Treatment Center for Children, Nancy University Hospital (CHU), rue du Morvan, 54511, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France

    Sorin Adetu & Laetitia Goffinet

Authors
  1. Camille Gravelier
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  2. Gisèle Kanny
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  3. Sorin Adetu
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  4. Laetitia Goffinet
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Correspondence to Camille Gravelier.

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Gravelier, C., Kanny, G., Adetu, S. et al. Spa therapy and burn scar treatment: a systematic review of the literature. Int J Biometeorol 64, 2195–2203 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01988-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01988-9

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