Intervention Study of Hot Spring on Joint Pain and High-risk Chronic Disease Launched Officially

In order to further explore the intervention effect and the mechanism of hot springs on arthritis groups, Asia-Pacific Institute for Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy Tourism (APIHC) launched a research subject named "The Intervention Study of Hot Springs on Arthritis Groups" in Tongjing Hot Spring Resort with Chongqing Medical University. With the strong support of Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development and World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy (FEMTEC), especially the professional consulting support of Umberto Solimene (chairman of FEMTEC), and Stefano Masiero (professor of University of Padua, Italy), the first phase of the research has come to an end successfully. After nearly half a year's full preparation, this research will be officially launched in Chongqing Tongjing Hot Spring in August in Tongjing Hot Spring.

1. Introduction of Research Group Members

① the group leader

Chen Yu

Professor of School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University. She graduated from Sichuan University (former West China Medical University) and has visited the University of Melbourne in Australia and the Queen Mary Hospital of Hong Kong University. Research fields include preventive medicine, occupational health and occupational medicine, and health management, etc. She presided over more than 10 scientific research projects and published more than 40 academic papers.

② Consultants

Umberto Solimene

Chairman of FEMTEC; author of more than 350 publications and 8 monographs. Responsible for establishing the traditional medical training standards, and E-Learning course for medical doctors. Member of the national association for thermal medicine of France, Portugal, Russia, Turkey, Poland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Italy. Coordinator of the master course (promoted between Italian and Chinese Ministry of Health).

Stefano Masiero

His research interests include medical robotics (robot-assisted rehabilitation), haptic interfaces (in particular, cable-driven systems). His research on rehabilitation robotics lead to the development of several prototype robotic systems for post-stroke upper-limb rehabilitation.

2.The Procedure of the Research

①  Recruitment of volunteers.

② Volunteers who meet the requirements are randomly divided into two groups: intervention group and control group (no intervention).

③ Implementing the first questionnaire survey and the first physical examination before the intervention.

④One questionnaire and one physical examination will be performed after completing the 1-week intervention, and four weeks in total.

⑤The intervention group will continue to complete the questionnaire survey and physical examination after receiving intervention for two more months.

Questionnaire survey and physical examination will be conducted after two months of continuous intervention

⑥Follow-up, questionnaire and physical examination will be implemented at three time nodes: the third month, the sixth month, and the twelfth month after the end of the intervention.

⑦ Finally, collating the data for analysis and completing the research report.

3.Introduction of Site

Tongjing Spring is located in Tongjing Town, Yubei District, Chongqing, about half an hour drive from the urban area. The water quality of Tongjing is SO4-Ca·Mg, and it is rich in various kinds of minerals and trace elements. Since its development in 1982, it has been awarded as "Top Ten Scenic Spots in Chongqing" and "National Five-star Hot Springs".

4.Volunteer Recruitment

① Number of volunteers：120

② Requirements：

Age: 30-75.

Time: to spare 1-3 months' time to participate in the research project.

③ Exclude the following groups：

Patients with hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancer, etc.

Patients with acute illness including fever；

Infectious disease patients；

mental patients;

Patients with serious diseases of heart, liver, spleen, lung or kidney.

Pregnant women and others who are not suitable for hot spring bathing.

5. Application

If you meet all the requirements above, please scan the QR code below to apply for it.