We found no statistically significant differences in pain on the McGill Question naire or in physical disability ( very low level of evidence ) between balneotherapy and the other interventions .
Overall evidence is insufficient to show that balneotherapy is more effective than no treatment , that one type of bath is more effective than another or that one type of bath is more effective than mudpacks , exercise or relaxation therapy
BACKGROUND No cure for rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) is known at present , so treatment often focuses on management of symptoms such as pain , stiffness and mobility .
Treatment options include pharmacological interventions , physical therapy treatments and balneotherapy .
Balneotherapy is defined as bathing in natural mineral or thermal waters ( e.g. mineral baths , sulphur baths , Dead Sea baths ) , using mudpacks or doing both .
Despite its popularity , reported scientific evidence for the effectiveness or efficacy of balneotherapy is sparse .
This review , which evaluates the effects of balneotherapy in patients with RA , is an up date of a Cochrane review first published in 2003 and up date d in 2008 .
OBJECTIVES To perform a systematic review on the benefits and harms of balneotherapy in patients with RA in terms of pain , improvement , disability , tender joints , swollen joints and adverse events .
Mud compress therapy for the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of home treatment with mud compresses for the h and s of patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) . Methods Forty-five patients suffering from RA were enrolled in a double-blind , r and omized , controlled study . Twenty-two were treated with true mud compresses ( treatment group ) and 23 were treated with attenuated mud compresses ( control group ) . The compresses were applied in the patients ’ homes five times a week during a 3-week period . Patients were assessed four times : at baseline , upon completion of the 3-week treatment period , 1 month after the treatment , and 3 months after conclusion of the treatment period . Positive response was defined as reductions of 30 % or more in the number of tender and swollen joints , 20 % or more in physician global assessment of disease activity , and 20 % or more in patient global assessment of the severity of joint pain . Results In the treatment group , significant reductions in the number of swollen and tender joints and patients ’ global assessment s of pain severity was observed at all post-treatment assessment s. Significant improvement in the scores of physician global assessment was seen at the end of therapy and 1 month later . In the control group , no improvement in the number of swollen and tender joints or physician global assessment was found in any post-treatment evaluation . However , a significant reduction in patient global assessment of joint pain severity was reported at the end of therapy and 3 months after concluding treatment . Conclusion Treatment with mud compresses relieves pain affecting the h and s and reduces the number of swollen and tender joints in the h and s of patients suffering from RA . This treatment can augment conventional medical therapy in these patients
We found no statistically significant differences in pain on the McGill Question naire or in physical disability ( very low level of evidence ) between balneotherapy and the other interventions .
Overall evidence is insufficient to show that balneotherapy is more effective than no treatment , that one type of bath is more effective than another or that one type of bath is more effective than mudpacks , exercise or relaxation therapy
BACKGROUND No cure for rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) is known at present , so treatment often focuses on management of symptoms such as pain , stiffness and mobility .
Treatment options include pharmacological interventions , physical therapy treatments and balneotherapy .
Balneotherapy is defined as bathing in natural mineral or thermal waters ( e.g. mineral baths , sulphur baths , Dead Sea baths ) , using mudpacks or doing both .
Despite its popularity , reported scientific evidence for the effectiveness or efficacy of balneotherapy is sparse .
This review , which evaluates the effects of balneotherapy in patients with RA , is an up date of a Cochrane review first published in 2003 and up date d in 2008 .
OBJECTIVES To perform a systematic review on the benefits and harms of balneotherapy in patients with RA in terms of pain , improvement , disability , tender joints , swollen joints and adverse events .