The use of radon baths for therapeutic purposes, particularly in treating chronic degenerative, inflammatory, and musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, and heel spurs, has been used for over 100 years – yet the molecular mechanisms behind the treatment are largely unexplored.

The International Organisation for Radiotherapy for Benign Conditions (IORBC) is pleased to share details of a new placebo-controlled RAD-ON02 study investigating the immunological and pain-relieving effects of serial radon baths in patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

The study aims to provide a scientific foundation for the anecdotal evidence supporting the efficacy of radon therapy. This study is significant as the placebo-controlled design will seek to assess the pain-relieving and immunomodulatory effects of radon baths.

The study is part of a collaboration between the Department of Radiation Oncology at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Kurort-Forschungsverein Bad Steben (Bad Steben Health Spa Research Association) and highlights the interdisciplinary approach taken to understand the mechanisms behind radon’s therapeutic effects.

As initially reported in this FAU article, The healing effect of radon | FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg this treatment modality is often effective where ‘conventional’ therapies fail for some of the most common chronic degenerative and musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and heel spurs. Short ‘exposure to the low dose radiation from radon seems to be responsible for the therapeutic effect.’

The 100 patients involved in the study will receive a series of baths, with half bathing in radon and half bathing in water without radon (the placebo group). All patients will undergo rigorous care and testing throughout.

The team at the Department of Radiation Oncology in Erlangen is under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Udo Gaipl and, together with colleague PD Dr. Benjamin Frey. They will be investigating how the immune status of the patients changes. This could unveil new insights into the interaction between low-dose radiation and the human immune system.

The IORBC looks forward to sharing a further review on the publication of the trial results in due course.

Read the full Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg article here:

The healing effect of radon

Authors:

Prof. Dr. Udo Gaipl and PD Dr. Benjamin Frey