The study conducted by B. Opriţa, C. Pandrea, B. Dinu, and B. Aignătoaie from the Bucharest Emergency Hospital investigates the effects of halotherapy, specifically with the SaltMed system, in patients suffering from obstructive bronchial disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This retrospective study examined 393 patients who presented with acute respiratory failure due to these conditions. The researchers compared standard treatment with inhalatory betamimetics and corticosteroids to treatment supplemented with SaltMed, which involves inhaling dry sodium chloride aerosols. The study found that the addition of SaltMed treatment significantly improved respiratory parameters such as oxygen saturation (SaO2), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and respiratory frequency within the first hour of treatment, even in patients with more severe conditions. The results suggest that halotherapy could provide rapid improvement in obstructive pulmonary disorders, reducing the need for more invasive interventions like intubation.
Halotherapy using the SaltMed system, which delivers micronized sodium chloride particles into the respiratory tract, works by enhancing mucus clearance, reducing inflammation, and improving overall lung function. These effects are particularly beneficial in treating acute exacerbations of respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD. The study highlighted that the addition of SaltMed therapy allowed for a faster resolution of respiratory failure in emergency settings, offering a non-invasive alternative to mechanical ventilation in some cases. The positive results observed in this observational study suggest that salt therapy could play a crucial role in managing acute respiratory episodes and improving patient outcomes in both emergency and hospital settings. However, the authors note that further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and assess the long-term benefits of SaltMed treatment.
