We found silver level evidence ( www.cochranemsk.org ) concerning the beneficial effects of mineral baths compared to no treatment .
Of all other balneological treatments no clear effects were found .
BACKGROUND Balneotherapy ( or spa therapy , mineral baths ) for patients with arthritis is one of the oldest forms of therapy .
One of the aims of balneotherapy is to soothe the pain and as a consequence to relieve patients ' suffering and make them feel well .
In this up date we included one extra study .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of  balneotherapy  for patients with osteoarthritis ( OA ) .
The therapeutic effects of Cserkeszölö thermal water in osteoarthritis of the knee: a double blind, controlled, follow-up study
Abstract . The effects of thermal water from Cserkeszölö in Hungary were appraised in a r and omised , double blind study conducted on 58 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee .  Balneotherapy was delivered as a 15-day course of 30-min daily sessions performed with thermal water ( active treatment ) or tap water of similar colour and odour ( placebo treatment ) . The musculoskeletal status of participants was evaluated at baseline , at the end of the balneotherapy course , and 3 months later . Study endpoints ( initial pain , range of motion , tenderness on palpation , stair climbing , physicians ' opinion and subjective rating by patients , and ambulation ) were assessed using visual analogue scales and symptom scores . Both groups improved ; however , the magnitude of improvement was significantly greater in patients treated with thermal water from Cserkeszölö
We found silver level evidence ( www.cochranemsk.org ) concerning the beneficial effects of mineral baths compared to no treatment .
Of all other balneological treatments no clear effects were found .
BACKGROUND Balneotherapy ( or spa therapy , mineral baths ) for patients with arthritis is one of the oldest forms of therapy .
One of the aims of balneotherapy is to soothe the pain and as a consequence to relieve patients ' suffering and make them feel well .
In this up date we included one extra study .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of  balneotherapy  for patients with osteoarthritis ( OA ) .