Balneotherapy for Patients With Post-acute Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Syndrome

The goal of this randomized controlled study is to evaluate the effects of balneotherapy (BT) and aquatic exercises in patients with post-acute COVID syndrome (PACS). The main question it aims to answer are: • Does BT and aquatic exercises alleviate some of the most prevalent features that characterize post-acute COVID syndrome? Participants allocated to the intervention group will undergo 3 weekly sessions of BT and aquatic exercises on alternate days in groups of 8 during 4 weeks. Prior the beginning of the intervention, patients were asked to complete an array of validated self-reported questionnaires that covered an important part of PACS symptomatology. These patients were asked to complete these same questionnaires immediately after completing the intervention and one month after. They were also asked to report adverse events associated to the intervention. Patients allocated to the control group were asked to complete the same questionnaires at baseline and one and two months post-baseline. They were instructed to not enroll in any kind of BT-related activities during the duration of the study. Questionnaires were analyzed and compared between groups to assess the effects of the intervention.