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 .
Intermittent balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
BACKGROUND Balneotherapy , traditionally administered during a continuous stay at the Dead Sea area , has been shown to be effective for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis . OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of an intermittent regimen of balneotherapy at the Dead Sea for patients with knee osteoarthritis . METHODS Forty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis were included in a prospect i ve r and omized single-blind controlled study . The patients were divided into two groups : a treatment group ( n=24 ) , which were treated twice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks in a sulfur pool heated to 35 - 36 degrees C , and a control group ( n=20 ) treated in a Jacuzzi filled with tap water heated to 35 - 36 degrees C. Participants were assessed by the Lequesne index of osteoarthritis severity , the WOMAC index , the SF-36 quality of health question naire , VAS scales for pain ( completed by patients and physicians ) , and physical examination . RESULTS A statistically significant improvement , lasting up to 6 months , was observed in the treatment group for most of the clinical parameters . In the control group the only improvements were in the SF-36 bodily pain scale at 6 months , the Lequesne index at 1 month and the WOMAC pain score at the end of the treatment period . Although the patients in the control group had milder disease , the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant . CONCLUSIONS Intermittent balneotherapy appears to be effective for patients with knee osteoarthritis
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 .