THERAPEUTIC PEAT - AVAILABLE EVIDENCE AND FUTURE-RESEARCH PRIORITIES AS SEEN BY THE EXAMPLE OF GYNECOLOGICAL INDICATIONS

The paper aims at describing the 'state of the art' of therapeutic pea t in gynaecological indications and at defining future research priori ties. Physical properties of therapeutic peat like low heat conduction , deep hyperthermia or constant heat flow and local antimicrobial effe cts are sufficiently assured. All discussed percutaneous biochemical-p harmacological effects like inhibition of hyaluronidase or resorption of oestrogenic substances are less probable. In-vitro models, animal s tudies, and observation studies indicate therapeutic effects in humans . However, there have been no reports on randomised clinical trials fo r any gynaecological disorder. Future research priorities should focus on randomised controlled trials to get valid information on the thera peutical effectiveness of therapeutic peat.