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 .
The effect of Neydharting mud-pack therapy on knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled, double-blind follow-up pilot study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Neydharting mud-pack therapy on the clinical parameters and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis . In this double-blind , r and omized , follow-up study on 53 patients with knee osteoarthritis , one group received hot mud-pack therapy , whereas the other ( control ) group was treated with hot packs of a substance manufactured on 10 occasions for 2 weeks . Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index ( WOMAC ) , EuroQoL-5D quality -of-life measure and need for analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were recorded before treatment , at the end of treatment ( at Week 2 ) , and at Weeks 6 and 12 . The WOMAC and the EQ5D quality -of-life scores improved from the baseline to the end of treatment in both groups , and further improvement was observed during the follow-up period ( p < 0.001 , respectively , in both groups ) . The need for medications for knee joint pain improved in both groups , and these changes were significant only in the mud-treated group ( p < 0.001 ) , but not in the control group ( p = 0.106 ) compared to baseline . The number of patients requiring medications for knee joint pain showed a continuous downward trend at the subsequent post-treatment visits by the mud-treated group , and these changes became significant by Visit 4 compared to baseline ( p = 0.016 ) . The control group showed only temporary and not significant decrease . The difference was not significant between the groups in any of the outcome parameters at any visits . The Neydharting mud pack has a favorable effect on the clinical parameters , quality of life , and need for medications in patients with knee osteoarthritis . To evaluate the chemical effect , the number of patients should be increased
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 .