Among all the studies , the most relevant indexes used to measure effectiveness of spa therapy were improved including VAS , Lequesne , and WOMAC Score .
Conclusions The mud-pack therapy , balneotherapy , mud-bath therapy , and spa therapy have proved to be effective in the treatment and in the secondary prevention of knee osteoarthritis , by reducing pain , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption , and functional limitation and improving quality of life of affected patients
Background Osteoarthritis ( OA ) is the most common musculoskeletal disease in the world .
OA is the result of an inflammatory and degenerative process affecting the entire joint .
Osteoarthritis , especially involving the knee , has a relevant socioeconomic impact in terms of drugs , hospital admissions , work absences , and temporary or permanent invalidity .
Therapy of knee osteoarthritis is based on pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures .
Balneotherapy in elderly patients: effect on pain from degenerative knee and spine conditions and on quality of life.
BACKGROUND Balneotherapy is an established treatment modality for musculoskeletal disease , but few studies have examined the efficacy of spa therapy in elderly patients with degenerative spine and joint diseases . OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of balneotherapy on chronic musculoskeletal pain , functional capacity , and quality of life in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or with chronic low back pain . METHODS The 81 patients in the study group underwent a 1 day course of 30 minute daily baths in mineral water . Changes were evaluated in the following parameters : pain intensity , functional capacity , quality of life , use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs , subjective disease severity perceived by the patients , investigator-rated disease severity , and severity of pain perceived by the patients . We analyzed the results of 76 subjects as 5 did not complete the study . RESULTS Compared to baseline , all monitored parameters were significantly improved by balneotherapy in both investigated groups . Moreover , the favorable effect was prolonged for 3 months after treatment . CONCLUSIONS This study showed that balneotherapy is an effective treatment modality in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or with chronic low back pain , and its benefits last for at least 3 months after treatment
Among all the studies , the most relevant indexes used to measure effectiveness of spa therapy were improved including VAS , Lequesne , and WOMAC Score .
Conclusions The mud-pack therapy , balneotherapy , mud-bath therapy , and spa therapy have proved to be effective in the treatment and in the secondary prevention of knee osteoarthritis , by reducing pain , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption , and functional limitation and improving quality of life of affected patients
Background Osteoarthritis ( OA ) is the most common musculoskeletal disease in the world .
OA is the result of an inflammatory and degenerative process affecting the entire joint .
Osteoarthritis , especially involving the knee , has a relevant socioeconomic impact in terms of drugs , hospital admissions , work absences , and temporary or permanent invalidity .
Therapy of knee osteoarthritis is based on pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures .