Clinical effects of Kneipp hydrotherapy: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Miriam Ortiz, Anna Katharina Koch, Holger Cramer, Klaus Linde, Gabriele Rotter, Michael Teut, Benno Brinkhaus, Heidemarie Haller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective Hydrotherapy is a traditional prevention and treatment strategy. This study's aim is to systematically review all available randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating clinical effects of hydrotherapy according to Kneipp which is characterised by cold water applications. Methods RCTs on disease therapy and prevention with Kneipp hydrotherapy were included. Study participants were patients and healthy volunteers of all age groups. MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, Central, CAMbase, and opengrey.eu were systematically searched through April 2021 without language restrictions and updated by searching PubMed until April 6th 2023. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool version 1. Results Twenty RCTs (N=4247) were included. Due to high heterogeneity of the RCTs, no meta-analysis was performed. Risk of bias was rated as unclear in most of the domains. Of 132 comparisons, 46 showed significant positive effects in favour of hydrotherapy on chronic venous insufficiency, menopausal symptoms, fever, cognition, emotional function and sickness absenteeism. However, 81 comparisons showed no differences between groups and 5 were in favour of the respective control group. Only half of the studies reported safety issues. Conclusion Although RCTs on Kneipp hydrotherapy seem to show positive effects in some conditions and outcomes, it remains difficult to ascertain treatment effects due to the high risk of bias and heterogeneity of most of the considered studies. Further high-quality RCTs on Kneipp hydrotherapy are urgently warranted. PROSPERO registration number CRD42021237611.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere070951
JournalBMJ Open
Volume13
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 9 Jul 2023

Keywords

  • clinical trials
  • complementary medicine
  • physical therapy modalities
  • preventive medicine
  • rehabilitation medicine

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