Re: National Geographic

[John Jacobus <crispy_bird@YAHOO.COM>]

Many of these stories relie on ancedotal evidence or

"testamonial" statements.  There are few scientific,

i.e., controlled, studies done.  The only one I am

aware of appeared in Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000

Aug;39(8):894-902





---------------

TITLE:  Long-term efficacy of radon spa therapy in

rheumatoid arthritis--a randomized, sham-controlled

study and follow-up.



AUTHORS:  Franke A, Reiner L, Pratzel HG, Franke T,

Resch KL.



Balneology and Rehabilitation Sciences Research

Institute (FBK), Bad Elster, Maximilians University,

Munich, Germany.



OBJECTIVE: To quantify the efficacy of a series of

baths containing natural radon and carbon dioxide (1.3

kBq/l, 1.6 g carbon dioxide/l on average) versus

artificial carbon dioxide baths alone in patients with

rheumatoid arthritis. SUBJECTS: Sixty patients

participating in an in-patient rehabilitation

programme including a series of 15 baths were randomly

assigned to two groups. DESIGN: Pain intensity (100 mm

visual analogue scale) and functional restrictions

[Keitel functional test, Arthritis Impact Measurement

Scales (AIMS questionnaire)] were measured at

baseline, after completion of treatment and 3 and 6

months thereafter. To investigate whether the overall

value of the outcomes was the same in both groups, the

overall mean was analysed by Student's t-test for

independent samples. RESULTS: The two groups showed a

similar baseline situation. After completion of

treatment, relevant clinical improvements were

observed in both groups, with no notable group

differences. However, the follow-up revealed sustained

effects in the radon arm, and a return to baseline

levels in the sham arm. After 6 months, marked

between-group differences were found for both

end-points (pain intensity: -16.9%, 95% confidence

interval -27.6 to -6.2%; AIMS score: 0.57, 95%

confidence interval 0.16 to 0.98). The between-group

differences were statistically significant for both

overall means (pain intensity, P: = 0.04; AIMS, P: =

0.01). CONCLUSION: Marked short-term improvements in

both groups at the end of treatment may have masked

potential specific therapeutic effects of radon baths.

However, after 6 months of follow-up the effects were

lasting only in patients of the radon arm. This

suggests that this component of the rehabilitative

intervention can induce beneficial long-term effects







-- Brian Keele <bdkeele@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:



---------------------------------

I found this interesting article in the January 2004

National Geographic.  Does anybody has any inside

knowledge or interesting perspective?

 

Brian Keele

 

 

 

 

By Kira SalakPhotographs by Landon Nordeman 









Folks come from all over to sit in a Montana mine and

inhale radioactive gas. Is it good for what ails them?







. . .



=====

+++++++++++++++++++

"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not themselves, and under a just God cannot long retain it."

Abraham Lincoln



-- John

John Jacobus, MS

Certified Health Physicist

e-mail:  crispy_bird@yahoo.com



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