Effect of Comprehensive Spa Care on Kidney and Urological Conditions: A Clinical Study in Adult Patients (Uro-Nefro)

Objective Assessment of the Effect of Comprehensive Spa Care on Patients With Chronic Kidney and Urological Diseases: A Prospective Interventional Clinical Study

This is a single-arm, pretest-posttest study evaluating the effects of a 21-day comprehensive spa care (Komplexní lázeňská léčebně rehabilitační péče, KLP) on patients with nephrological and urological conditions treated at a spa facility in Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic.

The study enrolls 150 adult patients (75 men and 75 women), aged 40-70 years, who are prescribed KLP for indications VIII/1 (recurrent and chronic non-tuberculous inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract), VIII/2 (nephrolithiasis without urinary tract obstruction, nephrocalcinosis), VIII/3 (conditions after kidney and urinary tract surgery), and VIII/4 (chronic prostatitis or prostatovesiculitis resistant to pharmacological treatment).

The spa treatment consists of the use of natural healing resources of Mariánské Lázně, including a mineral spring drinking cure, balneotherapy (mineral water baths), peloid therapy, carbon dioxide therapy, climatotherapy, exercise therapy, and dietotherapy. The standard treatment duration is 21 days, during which each patient receives a total of 63 therapeutic procedures and drinks mineral spring water three times daily.

Patients undergo assessments at the beginning (days 1-3) and at the end (days 19-21) of their treatment. Assessments include physical examination, abdominal and urinary tract ultrasound, blood and urine sampling with laboratory analysis, body composition measurement using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody), and psychometric questionnaire surveys.

The primary aim of the study is to objectively assess the therapeutic effect of comprehensive spa care on nephrological and urological diseases by comparing pre-treatment and post-treatment clinical, laboratory, and patient-reported outcomes.

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen (decision of November 2, 2023, ref. no. 437/23).

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Kidney Diseases; Urologic Diseases; Nephrolithiasis; Urinary Tract Infections; Nephrocalcinosis; Prostatism
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Comprehensive Spa Care; Behavioral: Exercise Therapy; Dietary supplement: Dietotherapy; Dietary supplement: Mineral Water Drinking Cure; Procedure: Mineral Water Bath Therapy; Procedure: Peloid Therapy; Procedure: Carbon Dioxide Therapy

Detailed Description

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:

This is a prospective, single-arm study using a one-group pretest-posttest design conducted at a spa facility in Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic. The study evaluates the effects of standard comprehensive spa care on patients with nephrological and urological conditions (indication group VIII). The treatment is provided as part of routine clinical care covered by health insurance. The study does not modify the treatment protocol; it collects clinical data before and after the treatment to objectively assess its effects.

INTERVENTION:

The intervention is a standard 21-day comprehensive spa care program (KLP) prescribed for indication group VIII. The treatment is based on the natural healing resources specific to Mariánské Lázně and includes: drinking cure using local mineral springs (three times daily), mineral water baths, peloid therapy (peat applications), carbon dioxide therapy, climatotherapy, exercise therapy, and dietotherapy with nutritional counseling. Additional procedures may be prescribed by the spa physician based on individual patient assessment. Each patient receives a total of 63 therapeutic procedures during the 21-day stay.

ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE:

All assessments are performed at two time points: at the beginning of KLP (no later than day 3 after admission) and at the end of KLP (day 20 or 21, exceptionally day 19).

Blood samples (5 ml serum in a red-top tube and 3 ml K3EDTA in a purple-top tube) and urine samples (one unpreserved tube) are collected in the morning under fasting conditions at both time points. Laboratory analysis is performed by an external certified laboratory. A total of 300 sample collections are planned (150 at entry, 150 at exit).

Physical examinations and ultrasound assessments of the kidneys, urinary bladder, urinary tract, and (in male patients) the prostate are performed at both time points by a urologist. Body composition is measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody device). Questionnaire-based assessments are administered at both time points.

DATA MANAGEMENT:

All patient data are pseudonymized using unique ID codes assigned at enrollment. Data are collected in both paper and electronic form. Paper records are stored in individual binders organized by patient ID. Electronic data are transferred to the Institute of Spa Medicine and Balneology (ILaB) on a password-protected, AES-128 encrypted USB drive at regular two-month intervals. Data handling complies with EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, Regulation 2016/679) and Good Clinical Practice principles. ILaB is responsible for the final statistical analysis and interpretation of the collected data.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen. All participants provide written informed consent before enrollment. The study procedures (ultrasound, blood and urine sampling, questionnaires) represent minimal risk and negligible additional burden compared to standard care.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 150
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Ondřej Vacek, Mgr.; Phone Number: +420 603 934 414; Email: vacek@i-lab.cz

Study Locations

• Czechia
  • Carlsbad Region
    • Mariánské Lázně, Carlsbad Region, Czechia, 353 43
      • Recruiting
      • Léčebné lázně Mariánské Lázně a.s.

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female aged 40 to 70 years
• Prescribed comprehensive spa care (KLP) for one of the following indications: recurrent and chronic non-tuberculous inflammation of the kidneys and urinary tract resistant to antibiotic and pharmacological treatment, with at least 12 months of continuous urological care (indication VIII/1); cystic kidney disease (indication VIII/1); nephrolithiasis without urinary tract obstruction or nephrocalcinosis (indication VIII/2); conditions after kidney or urinary tract surgery, including endovesical procedures, complicated prostatectomy, nephrolithotripsy, or recovery after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (indication VIII/3); chronic prostatitis or chronic prostatovesiculitis resistant to pharmacological and antibiotic treatment, with at least 12 months of continuous urological care (indication VIII/4)
• Able to walk from the sanatorium to the colonnade and back three times daily
• Willing to follow the treatment plan
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications according to Czech Decree No. 2/2015 Coll. on spa treatment criteria (pregnancy, acute illness, etc.)
• Significant mobility limitation or severe neuropathy preventing daily walks to the colonnade
• Significant obesity or inability to briefly hold breath (required for ultrasound examination)
• Alcohol intake exceeding 20 g of ethanol per day
• Nephrolithiasis with urinary tract obstruction
• History of esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding
• Severe comorbidities that could affect treatment outcomes
• Active oncological disease
• Unwillingness to adhere to the treatment plan

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Comprehensive Spa Care (KLP); Patients with nephrological and urological conditions (indications VIII/1-VIII/4) undergoing standard 21-day comprehensive spa care program in Mariánské Lázně. All participants receive the same intervention with assessments at baseline and at the end of treatment.

Other: Comprehensive Spa Care; A 21-day comprehensive spa care program based on natural healing resources of Mariánské Lázně, including mineral spring drinking cure (three times daily), mineral water baths, peloid therapy, carbon dioxide therapy, climatotherapy, exercise therapy, dietotherapy with nutritional counseling, and additional procedures prescribed individually by the spa physician. Each patient receives a total of 63 therapeutic procedures during the treatment period.; Behavioral: Exercise Therapy; Individually prescribed therapeutic exercise program supervised by qualified physiotherapists. The intervention includes aerobic training, strength exercises, mobility and flexibility training, breathing exercises, and functional rehabilitation adapted to the patient's clinical condition. The aim is to improve physical capacity, functional independence, cardiovascular fitness, and overall rehabilitation outcomes during the comprehensive spa treatment program.; Dietary supplement: Dietotherapy; Individualized dietotherapy combined with nutritional counseling provided by a qualified healthcare professional. The intervention includes dietary assessment, education on healthy nutrition, hydratio; Dietary supplement: Mineral Water Drinking Cure; Therapeutic administration of natural mineral water from Mariánské Lázně springs, typically consumed three times daily according to medical prescription. The intervention aims to support renal function, urinary tract health, metabolic regulation, and hydration status as part of comprehensive spa therapy.; Procedure: Mineral Water Bath Therapy; Therapeutic bathing using natural mineral water under controlled temperature and duration conditions. The intervention promotes relaxation, peripheral circulation improvement, neuromuscular relaxation, and recovery processes within the comprehensive spa treatment program.; Procedure: Peloid Therapy; Application of natural therapeutic mud (peloids) in the form of wraps or local applications. The intervention provides thermal and chemical stimulation intended to reduce pain, improve circulation, decrease muscle tension, and support musculoskeletal and regenerative processes.; Procedure: Carbon Dioxide Therapy; Therapeutic administration of carbon dioxide through dry carbon dioxide baths or subcutaneous carbon dioxide applications according to spa medical prescription. The intervention aims to improve microcirculation, vascular function, tissue oxygenation, and autonomic regulation.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in serum creatinine level from baseline to day 21	Serum creatinine measured in venous blood [µmol/l]. Evaluated separately for patients with normal and elevated baseline values.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in serum cystatin C level from baseline to day 21	Cystatin C measured in venous blood [mg/l]. Evaluated separately for patients with normal and elevated baseline values.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in eGFR calculated by CKD-EPI EKFC equation from baseline to day 21	eGFR calculated from serum creatinine using the European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) equation [ml/s per 1.73 m²]. Evaluated separately for patients with normal and reduced baseline values.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in serum sodium level from baseline to day 21	Electrolytes measured in venous blood. Evaluated separately for patients with normal, elevated, and decreased baseline values.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in quantitative microbiological urine culture results from baseline to day 21	Quantitative bacteriological culture of first morning midstream urine. Evaluated separately for patients with negative and positive baseline findings.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in serum uric acid level from baseline to day 21	Uric acid measured in venous blood [µmol/l]. Evaluated separately for patients with normal and elevated baseline values.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in serum potassium level from baseline to day 21	Electrolytes measured in venous blood. Evaluated separately for patients with normal, elevated, and decreased baseline values.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in serum calcium level from baseline to day 21	Electrolytes measured in venous blood. Evaluated separately for patients with normal, elevated, and decreased baseline values.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in serum phosphorus level from baseline to day 21	Electrolytes measured in venous blood. Evaluated separately for patients with normal, elevated, and decreased baseline values.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in EQ-5D-5L Index Value from Baseline to Day 21	EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire assessing five dimensions of health-related quality of life: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Index value (range typically -0.285 to 1.000; higher scores indicate better health status)	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in EQ-5D-5L Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS) Score from Baseline to Day 21	Self-rated overall health measured using the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS), where participants rate their current health status on a vertical scale. Score (0-100; higher scores indicate better perceived health)	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in ICIQ-FLUTS (women) or ICIQ-MLUTS (men) scores from baseline to day 21	Sex-specific International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire assessing lower urinary tract symptoms. ICIQ-FLUTS for female participants, ICIQ-MLUTS for male participants.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in ultrasound findings of kidneys, urinary bladder, and urinary tract from baseline to day 21	Transabdominal ultrasound examination of kidneys, urinary bladder, and urinary tract performed by a urologist. In male patients, prostate examination included.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in body composition parameters from baseline to day 21	Body composition measured by InBody device, including total body water (extracellular and intracellular), total body fat percentage, and total muscle mass percentage.	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in Systolic Blood Pressure from Baseline to Day 21	Systolic blood pressure measured in the morning in a seated resting position using a validated automated sphygmomanometer. mmHg (lower values indicate improvement)	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in Diastolic Blood Pressure from Baseline to Day 21	Diastolic blood pressure measured in the morning in a seated resting position using a validated automated sphygmomanometer. mmHg (lower values indicate improvement)	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in Resting Heart Rate from Baseline to Day 21	Resting heart rate measured in the morning after at least five minutes of seated rest. beats per minute (bpm; lower values indicate improvement)	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in Body Mass Index from Baseline to Day 21	Body mass index calculated as body weight divided by height squared. kg/m² (lower values indicate improvement)	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)
Change in Waist Circumference from Baseline to Day 21	Waist circumference measured at the umbilical level using a standardized measuring tape. centimeters (cm; lower values indicate improvement)	Baseline (day 1-3) and end of treatment (day 19-21)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Institute of Spa and Balneology, public research institution
• Collaborators: Léčebné lázně Mariánské Lázně a. s.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 13, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 21, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 21, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Urology; Nephrology; Balneotherapy; Spa Treatment; Mineral Water Drinking Cure; Mariánské Lázně; comprehensive spa care
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Urogenital Diseases; Male Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urolithiasis; Metabolic Diseases; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; Urological Manifestations; Infections; Calcium Metabolism Disorders; Calcinosis; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Nephrolithiasis; Urologic Diseases; Kidney Diseases; Urinary Tract Infections; Nephrocalcinosis; Prostatism; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Patient Care; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Balneology; Exercise Therapy; Mud Therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: UN_437/23

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared. All data are pseudonymized and handled in accordance with EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Data access is restricted to the research team at the Institute of Spa Medicine and Balneology (ILaB).

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No