Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential and Healthcare Applications of Marine Therapy: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Abstract

This study was conducted to estimate the effectiveness of marine-derived resources for treating specific diseases, as well as identify the most effective methods for applying such resources in therapeutic applications. Bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane) were searched from their inception until May 2023 using Medical Subject Headings terms and text keywords related to seawater, mineral water, or ocean therapy. Fifteen eligible studies were included, involving 1325 participants aged 42.7–63.0 years. In the subgroup analysis based on treatment type, the mean difference was −1.581 (95% CI: −1.889, −1.274) for seawater with sun exposure and −1.210 (95% CI: −1.417, −1.002) for seawater with sun exposure, mud pack application, and sulfur pool therapy. The pooled standardized mean difference was calculated for different outcomes; the results were −1.110 (95% CI: −3.028, 0.806) for osteoarthritis severity, −0.795 (95% CI: −0.982, −0.607) for arthritis pain, −1.623 (95% CI: −2.036, −1.209) for fibromyalgia pain, and −1.498 (95% CI: −1.888, −1.108) for quality of life. Marine therapy is, therefore, promising for treating chronic skin issues, easing musculoskeletal discomfort, and enhancing the quality of life among patients with musculoskeletal pain.