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 .
Short- and Long-Term Effects of Spa Therapy in Knee Osteoarthritis
Fioravanti A , Iacoponi F , Bellisai B , Cantarini L , Galeazzi M : Short- and long-term effects of spa therapy in knee osteoarthritis . Objective : To assess both the short- and long-term effectiveness of spa therapy in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis in a prospect i ve , r and omized , single-blinded , controlled trial . Design : Eighty out patients were enrolled in this study ; 40 patients were treated with a combination of daily local mud packs and bicarbonate-sulfate mineral bath water from the spa center of Rapolano Terme ( Siena , Italy ) for 2 wks , and 40 patients continued regular , routine ambulatory care . Patients were assessed at baseline time ; after 2 wks ; after 3 , 6 , and 9 mos after the beginning of the study and were evaluated by Visual Analog Scale for spontaneous pain , Lequesne index , Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index for gonarthrosis , Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale-1 , and symptomatic drug consumption . Results : We observed a significant improvement of all evaluated parameters at the end of the cycle of spa therapy , which persisted throughout the whole of the follow-up period , whereas in the control group no significant differences were noted . This symptomatic effect was confirmed by the significant reduction of symptomatic drug consumption . Tolerability of spa therapy seemed to be good , with light and transitory side effects . Conclusions : The results from our study confirm that the beneficial effects of spa therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis lasts over time , with positive effects on the painful symptomatology and a significant improvement on functional capacities .  Spa therapy can represent a useful backup to pharmacologic treatment of knee osteoarthritis or a valid alternative for patients who do not tolerate pharmacologic treatments
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 .