Influence of balnear therapy at Băile Tușnad on quality of life of post-stroke patients

Stroke is a common cause of life-long disability in surviving patients. Despite improvements in neurologic deficits, stroke survivors remain with important limitations on participating in social activities, on reintegrating into family, community and working life which could trigger psychological problems and a decreased quality of life (QoL). An important issue in post-stroke rehabilitation is improvement of patient’s quality of life. Introduction: The assessment of the Quality of Life could be an indicator of the effectiveness of the post–stroke rehabilitation. One simple instrument for assessment of Qol is the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS), created by John Flanagan, which has been adapted for use in chronic illness groups, a higher score indicating higher quality of life. An important instrument for improving QoL of stroke patients is combined rehabilitation therapy in a balneoclimacteric resort or in a rehabilitation hospital. This study aimed to monitor the efficacy of these natural therapeutic factors, used in conjunction with classical neurorehabilitation methods in post-stroke patients Material and method: We performed a prospective longitudinal analysis in 50 post-stroke patients which performed rehabilitation treatment: the first group of 20 patients performed only kinesitheraly, massages, occupational therapy during 15 days at Rehabilitation Hospital Cluj, and the second group of 30 patients performed the same treatment during 15 days, in association with with carbonated mineral water baths and walking at Tușnad Spa Complex SA treatment facility in Băile Tușnad. Quality of Life of both group of patients was assessed using the QOL Scale. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in the QoL as shown by comparing the mean score before and after treatment by the paired T test, with a p value of < 0,05 in both groups. Conclusion: Rehabilitation treatment improve the qualty of life in stroke survivors. The use of natural therapeutic factors (mineral water baths and bioclimate), in conjunction with kinesitherapy, occupational therapy and massotherapy, significantly improved the quality of life in stroke patients