A pilot study to evaluate the effects of floatation spa treatment on patients with osteoarthritis.

Authors: Hill S (1) , Eckett MJ , Paterson C , Harkness EF
Affiliations:
(1) 17 Owen Street, Wellington
Source: Complement Ther Med. 1999 Dec;7(4):235-8.
DOI: 10.1016/S0965-2299(99)80008-9 Publication date: 1999 Dec E-Publication date: Jan. 11, 2005 Availability: abstract Copyright: © 1999 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Language: English Countries: Not specified Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Not specified

Keywords

Article abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To conduct a preliminary investigation of the effects on floatation spa therapy on quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis to see if controlled trials are warranted.

DESIGN:

Uncontrolled clinical trial.

SETTING:

Private floatation spa therapy centre.

PATIENTS:

Fourteen patients with chronic osteoarthritis of the weight-bearing joints, of whom four dropped out.

INTERVENTION:

Six weekly sessions of floatation spa therapy.

OUTCOME MEASURES:

SF36, AIMS2 and MYMOP quality-of-life questionnaires.

MAIN RESULTS:

All patients improved. Differences between baseline and discharge scores showed statistically significant improvement for MYMOP, but not AIMS2 or SF-36.

CONCLUSIONS:

Controlled trials of floatation spa therapy for patients with osteoarthritis are warranted.

Find it online