Recommendations on thermal treatment in rheumatology

The Rheumatology and Balneology Research Center of Aix-les-Bains, with the support of the French Society of Thermal Medicine and the French Society of Rheumatology, has undertaken the development of the first recommendations concerning the use of Balneology in rheumatology. This work has already included the following stages:

• a bibliographic search,

• a methodological analysis of comparative therapeutic trials published since 1989,

• statistical calculations,

• the preliminary drafting of a consensus of recommendations, developed during four meetings bringing together specialists in general medicine, sports medicine, rheumatology, functional rehabilitation, as well as expert patients from various associations.

The final phase of voting on the recommendations is currently underway, with the aim of establishing the definitive version of the consensus.

The results of this work should be presented at the Annual Meeting of the French Society of Thermal Medicine, which will be held in Paris on January 23, 2026.