The effect of balneotherapy and peloid therapy on changes in the functional state of patients with knee joint osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled, single-blind pilot study

Abstract

The treatment of OA using pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures remains a topical subject. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of natural factors (mineral water and mud) on changes in the functional state of patients with knee joint OA. Ninety-two adult people with grade I-III knee joint OA according to the Kellgren and Lawrence scoring system participated in the study. The subjects received 10 mineral water bath plus physical therapy or mud application procedures plus physical therapy or physical therapy alone every other day. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed on the basis of anthropometric changes of data, VAS, SF-36, KOOS questionnaire indicators. Significantly greater walking speed, test of 5 sit downs/stand ups, circumference of a knee joint, flexion and extension range, flexor and extensor strength after treatment lasting 1 month were obtained in the intervention group. After 1 month after treatment pain intensity scores over the past month and when changing position were significantly higher in the control group. The positive changes in SF-36 were identified after 1 month after treatment: physical activity increased and pain decreased in the intervention groups. There was no significant difference between the averages of any KOOS subscale in groups. However, average percentages of symptoms, stiffness, and pain in the intervention groups were significantly better after treatment and lasting 1 month after treatment. Balneotherapy and peloid therapy effectively reduce pain and improve the functional state of patients with OA of a knee joint.

The effect of thermal mineral waters on pain relief, physical function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis

“…[ 35 ] Varzaityte et al randomly allocated participants according to the allocation ratio of 1:1:1. [ 26 ] Other investigators used methods such as a computer-generated randomization chart, a computer-generated table”, a random number generator, or by tossing a coin. Therefore, the studies were assessed to have a low risk of bias.…”

Peloids as Thermotherapeutic Agents

“…According to several clinical studies, the most effective indications of this form of therapy are musculoskeletal disorders of the knee [13,[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43], spine [44][45][46][47][48][49][50], hand [51][52][53][54], as well as fibromyalgia syndrome [55][56][57][58], carpal tunnel syndrome and chronic lateral epicondylitis [59,60].…”

Public interest in spa therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: analysis of Google Trends data among Turkey

“…These spas have experienced multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams (e.g., spa physicians, physical therapists, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation nurses) to provide and adjust the rehabilitation program to the individual patient’s needs. Although spa therapy has yet no evidence specific to COVID-19, it and its interventions (e.g., balneotherapy, peloid therapy, aquatic exercises, and exercise) have been demonstrated beneficial in improving fatigue, dyspnea, pain, and depression/ anxiety, and in increasing quality of life of patients who have these symptoms, in many reviews and numerous clinical studies (Kamioka et al 2020 ; Khaltaev et al 2020 ; Munteanu et al 2019 ; Baldi et al 2015 ; Fioravanti et al 2010 , 2018 ; Rapolienė et al 2020 ; Király et al 2020 ; Gay et al 2020 ; Bernetti et al 2020 ; Varzaityte et al 2020 ; Dilekçi et al 2019 , 2020 ; Eröksüz et al 2020 ; Yuan et al 2019 ; Cozzi et al 2020 ; Gálvez et al 2020 ; Corvillo et al 2020 ; Pérez-Fernández et al 2019 ; Peultier-Celli et al 2019 ; Hanzel et al 2019 ; Yücesoy et al 2019 ; Özkuk and Di̇lekçi̇ 2019 ; Masiero et al 2020c ; Tenti et al 2020 ; Koçak et al 2020 ; Özkuk and Uysal 2019 ; Cantista and Maraver 2020 ; Cheleschi et al 2020 ; Özkuk and Ateş 2020 ; Min et al 2020 ; Prossegger et al 2019 ; Persiyanova-Dubrova et al 2019 ). Interestingly, hypothetical and theoretical backgrounds of using spas as rehabilitation facilities for post-COVID-19 patients have been discussed in several articles (Maccarone et al 2020 ; Masiero et al 2020a , b; Antonelli and Donelli 2020 ; Kardeş 2020b ).…”