In conclusion , even though limitations must be considered , evidence shows that BT and spa therapy can significantly improve QoL of patients with knee OA .
Moreover , reduction of drug consumption and improvement of algofunctional indexes may be other beneficial effects .
Knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) is a degenerative disease which is expected to become one of the leading causes of disability by the next years .
This work aims to assess if balneotherapy and spa therapy can significantly improve Quality of Life ( QoL ) of patients with knee OA .
Evaluation of the effect of Lake Hévíz thermal mineral water in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled, single-blind, follow-up study.
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis is the most frequent joint disease and is a leading cause of pain and locomotor disability in elderly people . The treatment of osteoarthritis includes non-pharmacological , pharmacological , and surgical therapies . Silver level evidence has been found concerning balneotherapy in osteoarthritis . AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to evaluate how Lake Hévíz thermal mineral water therapy influences pain , knee function , and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis , compared to the control group . STUDY DESIGN r and omized , controlled , single-blind , follow-up study . SETTING Spa Hévíz and St. And rew Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases POPULATION This study included 77 out patients between 45 and 75 years of age with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee meeting the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria . METHODS Patients were r and omized into two groups . In group I ( n = 38 ) , subjects bathed in Lake Hévíz and in group II ( N.=39 ) , patients were treated in a pool full of tap water . Water temperature was 34 ° C for both groups . Participants underwent 30-minute therapy sessions , five times a week for three weeks . Outcome measures were pain visual analogue scale scores , active flexion degree , knee circumference , stair-climb time , Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index ( WOMAC ) , and EuroQoL Group 5-Dimension Self-Report Question naire score ( EQ-5D ) . Study parameters were recorded at baseline , immediately after treatment , and after 15 weeks . RESULTS Comparison of the two groups revealed a statistically significant difference in pain visual analogue scale scores ( P<0.01 ) , active flexion degree ( P<0.01 ) , physical function components of WOMAC ( P<0.05 ) , and EQ-5D scores ( P<0.05 ) even after 15 weeks . CONCLUSIONS Balneotherapy  improved pain , function as well as the quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis . CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT Balneotherapy is a potentially useful treatment modality for patients with knee osteoarthritis
In conclusion , even though limitations must be considered , evidence shows that BT and spa therapy can significantly improve QoL of patients with knee OA .
Moreover , reduction of drug consumption and improvement of algofunctional indexes may be other beneficial effects .
Knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) is a degenerative disease which is expected to become one of the leading causes of disability by the next years .
This work aims to assess if balneotherapy and spa therapy can significantly improve Quality of Life ( QoL ) of patients with knee OA .