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 .
One-year follow-up of mud-bath therapy in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, single-blind controlled trial
The objective of this prospect i ve parallel r and omized single-blind study was to assess that a cycle of mud-bath therapy ( MBT ) provides any benefits over usual treatment in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) . Patients with symptomatic primary bilateral knee OA , according to ACR criteria , were included in the study and r and omized to one of two groups : one group received a cycle of MBT at spa center of Chianciano Terme ( Italy )  in addition to the usual treatment , and one group continued their regular care routine alone .  Clinical assessment s were performed 7 days before enrollment ( screening visit ) , at the time of enrollment ( basal time ) , after 2 weeks , and after 3 , 6 , 9 , and 12 months after the beginning of the study . All assessment s were conducted by two research ers blinded to treatment allocation . The primary efficacy outcomes were the global pain score evaluated by Visual Analog Scale ( VAS ) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index ( WOMAC ) subscore for physical function ( W-TPFS ) .  Of the 235 patients screened , 103 met the inclusion criteria : 53 patients were included in the MBT group and 50 in the control group . In the group of patients treated with MBT , we observed a statistically significant ( p < 0.001 ) reduction of VAS and W-TPFS score at the end of the treatment ; this improvement was significant ( p < 0.05 ) also at 3 months of follow-up . The control group did not show significant differences between baseline time and all other times . The differences between one group were significant for both primary parameters already from the 15th day and persisted up to the 9th month . This beneficial effect was confirmed by the significant reduction of symptomatic drug consumption . Tolerability of MBT seemed to be good , with light and transitory side effects . Our results confirm that a cycle of MBT added to usual treatment provides a beneficial effect on the painful symptoms and functional capacities in patients with knee OA that lasts over time . Mud-bath therapy can represent a useful backup to pharmacologic treatment of knee OA or a valid alternative for patients who do not tolerate pharmacological 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 .