Is the Duration of Spa Cure Treatment Important in Knee Osteoarthritis? A Randomized Controlled Study

Authors: Özkuk K (1) , Uysal B (2)

Affiliations:

(1) Department of Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology, Faculty of Medicine, Uşak University (2) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izzet Baysal Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Source: Complement Med Res

DOI: 10.1159/000498890 Publication date: Not specified E-Publication date: March 27, 2019 Availability: abstract Copyright: © 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel. rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Turkeykagan.ozkuk@usak.edu.t

Keywords

Article abstract

BACKGROUND:

Spa therapies are applied in varying durations. Today, the duration of spa therapy may be long for people with active lives. How should we determine the duration of treatment in order to minimize therapy costs and loss of labor force? Does the duration of treatment have an impact on pain, functional status, and quality of life of patients?

OBJECTIVE:

Our aim was to investigate the role of application time on the efficacy of spa therapy in individuals undergoing the same treatment protocol.

METHODS:

This was a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial design. Sixty individuals were divided into two groups: 3 weeks of therapy (group 1) and 2 weeks of therapy (group 2). Pretreatment, posttreatment, and 30-day posttreatment findings were recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).

RESULTS:

The measurements revealed significant improvement after treatment compared to those observed prior to the treatment in both groups, except for the social isolation subgroup. When the groups were compared to each other, significant improvement was observed in pain (VAS, WOMAC, NHP) in favor of group 1 at all measurement times.

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that spa therapy has positive effects on pain, physical activity, and quality of life in patients, and 15 sessions of therapy had even better effects on pain. We believe that the duration of therapy should be determined considering the efficacy of the therapy on pain as well as the functional situation and quality of life of patients regarding therapy costs.

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