Efficacy of hydrotherapy, spa therapy, and balneotherapy for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis: a systematic review

Systematic review published in the International Journal of Dermatology covering the dermatological evidence base for hydrotherapy, spa therapy, and balneotherapy — the most directly relevant systematic review for the skin conditions covered on this site. Grade A reflects the systematic review methodology, which aggregates and qualifies evidence across multiple studies rather than relying on individual results.

What It Reviewed

The review focuses on two conditions where peat and balneotherapy have an established clinical presence: psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (eczema). These were chosen because they share a core pathology — immune-mediated inflammation of the skin — and because the balneotherapy literature has reported clinical activity in both. The review covers hydrotherapy (plain water), spa therapy (mineral water), and balneotherapy (biologically active media including peat), allowing a comparison of interventions.

What It Found

Positive outcomes were reported for both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis across the studies reviewed. Peat baths were identified among effective balneological interventions. The review’s strength is in aggregating findings from studies that individually lack the sample size to be conclusive — the consistent directional result across multiple study types and settings is what elevates the evidence level for these conditions.

What It Doesn’t Settle

Systematic reviews of balneotherapy for skin conditions face a recurring problem: the interventions studied vary (different peloid types, different water chemistries, different treatment protocols), making pooled statistical analysis difficult. Jazani and Ayati report on the direction and consistency of evidence rather than a pooled effect size. The conclusion is that balneotherapy works for these conditions in the settings studied, not that any specific protocol or peat type has been optimally characterised.

Relevance for This Site

This is the primary systematic review reference for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis claims under the balneotherapy application page and the psoriasis and eczema condition pages.