Abstract
To preliminarily explore a nondrug intervention method and evaluate its effects (sleep quality, physical examination indicators, and general physical symptoms) on people with sleep disorders. The intervention was based on regular balneotherapy, coupled with targeted health education, appropriate exercise, diet management, and other sleep-promoting measures. It was the combined effects that we evaluated. We recruited 31 volunteers with sleep disorders to receive a 7-day sleep-promoting experience in Tianxing International Hot Spring City, Nanchuan District, Chongqing. The intervention adopted a plan that combined balneotherapy with various sleep-promoting measures. Persisting baths in hot springs 1–2 times per day targeted health lectures about 1 h every morning, appropriate exercise every day (sleep-aid yoga, forest hiking, morning exercises, etc.), and diet management (the principle is to control oil, salt, and sugar, diversify food, keep meat and vegetable balanced, and control total calories. The dinner is light and easy to digest). During the intervention period, all participants followed the above intervention plan, and they lived in the spa resort to accept unified arrangement. This study adopted a self-contrast method by comparing the changes in sleep quality, physical examination indicators, and general physical symptoms before and after the intervention through physical examinations and questionnaire surveys. After the intervention, the subjects’ total score of Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) decreased significantly (P = 0.006), and all seven dimensions showed a decrease, four of which included early morning awakening, sleep dissatisfaction, noticeability of sleep problems by others, and distress caused by sleep problems decreased significantly (all P < 0.05). The subjects’ body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides decreased significantly (all P < 0.05), and systolic blood pressure increased significantly (P = 0.006). Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly (all P > 0.05). To some extent, all general health problems were improved than before the intervention (the improvement rate was up to 70% or more). The non-pharmacological intervention of balneotherapy combined with various sleep-promoting measures showed positive effects on sleep quality, general physical symptoms, and some physical examination indicators of sleep disorders. This comprehensive intervention may be an effective way to improve people’s health with sleep disorders.
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The data involved in this study are not publicly available due to privacy but are available from the authors on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
Thanks to the research team for their work in research designs, project implementation, and data collection, thanks to Chongqing Municipal Development Committee of Culture and Tourism and Asia-Pacific Institute for Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy Tourism for providing financial support, and thanks to the cooperation and support of staff and volunteers at Tianxing International Hot Spring City.
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Long, J., Qin, Q., Huang, Y. et al. Study on nondrug intervention of 7 days of balneotherapy combined with various sleep-promoting measures on people with sleep disorders: preliminary and pilot study. Int J Biometeorol 67, 457–464 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-023-02425-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-023-02425-3