Speleotherapy for asthma

 

Abstract

Background

Speleotherapy, the use of subterranean environments, is a therapeutic measure in the treatment of chronic obstructive airways diseases. It is virtually unknown in the UK or the US, but has considerable widespread use in some Central and Eastern European countries.

Objectives

To review evidence for the efficacy of speleotherapy in the treatment of asthma.

Search methods

We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Airways Specialised Register), contacted speleotherapy centres and experts in the field, handsearched proceedings, and checked bibliographies of articles obtained to identify possible relevant publications. The most recent search was in April 2006.

Selection criteria

We included controlled clinical trials (i.e., both randomized and those not reporting the method of allocation) that compared clinical effects of speleotherapy with another intervention or no intervention in patients with chronic asthma.

Data collection and analysis

Information concerning patients, interventions, results, and methodology were extracted in standardized manner by two independent reviewers and summarized descriptively.

Main results

Three trials including a total of 124 asthmatic children met the inclusion criteria, but only one trial had reasonable methodological quality. Two trials reported that speleotherapy had a beneficial short-term effect on lung function. Other outcomes could not be assessed in a reliable manner.

Authors' conclusions

Due to the paucity of trials, the available evidence does not permit a reliable conclusion as to whether speleo-therapeutic interventions are effective for the treatment of chronic asthma. Randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are necessary

 

Plain language summary

Speleotherapy for asthma

Speleotherapy (staying in underground environments) is believed to be of some benefit to people with asthma. People spend short periods in specifically designated caves or mines, sometimes doing particular physical or breathing exercises. There are some wards for longer stays. Benefits are believed to come from air quality, underground climate, air pressure or radiation. These features differ among caves and mines (for example, there are high levels of radiation in some mines, and different types of humidity). No evidence from randomised controlled trials was found and more research is needed.

 

摘要

背景

洞穴療法與氣喘

洞穴療法，即使用地下環境，是一種治療慢性阻塞性氣管疾病的方法。這種療法在英國或美國鮮為人知，但是在一些中歐和東歐國家,則被廣泛的使用。

目標

審查洞穴療法對治療氣喘的有效證據。

搜尋策略

我們檢索電子數據庫(MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Airways Specialised Register)，聯絡洞穴療法中心和田野專家，手工檢索資料，並檢查了文章書目，以找出有關的出版物。

選擇標準

我們納入了對照臨床試驗(亦即包含隨機或是沒有報告樣本分派的方法)，以洞穴療法比較其他療法或是沒有治療對慢性氣喘病人的療效。

資料收集與分析

兩名獨立的審查員,以標準方式萃取關於病人,治療方法,結果和方法的資料,並做出描述性總結.

主要結論

3項試驗共包括124個氣喘病兒童符合納入標準，但只有一個試驗具有合理的方法學品質。兩項試驗報告顯示，洞穴療法能有效改善短期肺功能。其他結果則無法可靠地評估。在2005年四月的搜尋，沒有找出任何新的研究。

作者結論

由於缺乏證據,我們不能得到一個可靠的結論來評斷是否洞穴治療法可以有效的治療慢性氣喘病。長期追蹤的隨機對照試驗是必要的.

翻譯人

本摘要由臺北醫學大學萬芳醫院楊璧如翻譯。

此翻譯計畫由臺灣國家衛生研究院(National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan)統籌。

總結

洞穴療法(住在地下環境中)被認為對氣喘患者是有利的。人們短時間待在設計過的洞穴或是礦山中，有時候做特別的運動或呼吸練習。也有些病房可以讓病人停留更長的時間。一般相信,療效是來自空氣品質，地下的氣候，氣壓或輻射。不同的洞穴和礦山有不同的功能(例如，有些礦山有比較高的輻射，以及不同的濕度)。目前沒有隨機對照試驗的證據，我們需要更多的研究。