By creating the new Parkinson Programme Ensana Health Spa Piešťany (Ensana Group member) has responded to the requirements of a specific patient group and joined efforts with renowned scientific institutions and patient association creating a Programme improving the outcomes of spa treatment and quality of life. The outcome of the new and unique Parkinson programme at the Ensana Health Spa Piešťany indicates a trend towards a positive effect of the therapy on wellbeing (physical, psychological, and social) of PD patients. We have already presented our Parkinson’s Programme at the 6th World Parkinson Congress 2023 which was held in Barcelona between 4-7th July 2023 where 3.200+ delegates from all-over the world (from all areas of care) were registered in the form of a poster. We have created awareness about the existence of such a Programme in our spa among the medical/scientific and patient care organizations as well as patient associations and established the initial networking. We expect collaboration with both the domestic and international institutions to attract PD patient to participate on our Programme while according to our knowledge this kind of dedicated Parkinson Programme does not exist anywhere in Europe.
1. Short Description of your Health Spa Programme
Hydrogen sulfide (essence of our natural healing resources) is known to have a positive effect on muscle and peripheral nerve physiology used for more than a century in Ensana Health Spa Piešťany. Until present, only isolated cases of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been admitted for rehabilitation undergoing a therapy common to all neurological patients. The treatment effect was not at the expected level. In 2022, in cooperation with renown scientific institutions and the Slovak Parkinson Society a development of a new rehabilitation programme adapted to the specific needs of PD patients was initiated by us. Programme consists of a physio-therapeutic module, a sensory module and a nutritional module. Combination of all three modules leads to rehabilitation and invigoration of PD patients and provides necessary knowledge base to introduce beneficial routine changes in home settings. Within Q1 2023, 5 PD patient groups (30 participants) underwent a pilot, 7-day version of this new and unique rehabilitation programme in Slovak Health Spa Piešťany. Reporting of the effect of this programme on PD patients is based on pre- and post-rehabilitation medical assessments and questionnaire-based data collection. The outcome of the new and unique Parkinson programme at the Ensana Health Spa Piešťany indicates a trend towards a positive effect of the therapy on wellbeing (physical, psychological, and social) of PD patients. The maximum effect of the complex spa therapy is usually achieved after 2 to 3 weeks of therapy. Therefore, in the (near) future we expect to achieve even more convincing data with PD patients undertaking a 3-week long therapeutic programme.
2. Originality
Our unique Parkinson’s programme a completely newly developed programme. Until present, only isolated cases of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been admitted for rehabilitation to our Ensana Health Spa Piešťany, where we have offered therapy common to all neurological patients, which treatment effect was not at the expected level. In 2022, in cooperation with the University Hospital in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Biomedical Center Martin, and the Slovak Parkinson Society (patient association) we have initiated the development of a special rehabilitation programme adapted to the specific needs of Parkinson‘s patients. Within Q1 of 2023, 5 patient groups (30 participants) underwent a pilot, 7-day version of this new and unique rehabilitation programme in Slovak Health Spa Piestany. Reporting of the effect of the rehabilitation programme on PD patients is based on scientifically recognized world renowned pre- and post-rehabilitation medical/neurological assessments by the visiting doctor and questionnaire-based data collection (from the visiting doctor; therapist and the participating PD patients). Programme participants have also filled out the Parkinson‘s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39). The outcome of the pilot (1 week) new and unique Parkinson programme at the Ensana Health Spa Piešťany indicates a trend towards a positive effect of the therapy on wellbeing (physical, psychological, and social) of PD patients. The maximum effect of the complex spa therapy is usually achieved after 2 to 3 weeks of therapy. Therefore, in the (near) future we expect to achieve even more convincing data with PD patients undertaking a 3-week long therapeutic programme. The physio-therapeutic module includes both treatments based on our natural healing resources [mineral bath/mirror pool (37 °C)] and unique concepts of personalized physiotherapy and group rehabilitation.
3. Impact and benefits
We have already presented our Parkinson’s Programme at the 6th World Parkinson Congress 2023 which was held in Barcelona between 4-7th July 2023 where 3.200+ delegates from all-over the world (from all areas of care) were registered in the form of a poster. We have created awareness about the existence of such a Programme in our spa among the medical/scientific and patient care organizations as well as patient associations and established the initial networking. We expect collaboration with both the domestic and international institutions to attract PD patient to participate on our Programme while according to our knowledge this kind of dedicated Parkinson Programme does not exist anywhere in Europe. Our work also continues on the scientific field, we have already entered all data into the international scientific registers to prove our originality a primacy and we are working on a scientific paper to be published in progessional medical journals.
4. Sustainability
At Ensana Health Spa Piešťany we are in general striving for sustainability. Currently we are working several projects to introduce renewable energies and green solutions into our daily operations. However, within the nominated Programme we can’t exactly present and provide any specific examples of direct impact within the questioned sustainability.
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Winterova 29, Piešťany
Slovakia