Effect of spa therapy in Tiberias on patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Authors: Elkayam O (1) , Wigler I , Tishler M , Rosenblum I , Caspi D , Segal R , Fishel B , Yaron M

Affiliations:

(1) Department of Rheumatology, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, Ichilov Hospital

Source: J Rheumatol. 1991 Dec;18(12):1799-803

DOI: Not specified Publication date: 1991 Dec E-Publication date: Not specified Availability: abstract Copyright: Not specified

Language: English Countries: Israel Location: Tiberias (Israel) Correspondence address: Not specified

Keywords

Article abstract

Forty-one patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated for 2 weeks at a Tiberias spa hotel. Randomized into 2 groups, Group 1 received a combination of mineral baths and mud packs, and Group 2 had tap water baths only. Both groups had a significant but temporary improvement in Ritchie index. Group 1 showed a significant improvement in grip strength. No improvement was noticed in morning stiffness, 15 meter walk time and laboratory variables of disease activity in either group. Twelve patients with osteoarthritis (OA) received 2 weeks of treatment with mineral baths and mud packs. Statistically significant improvement for a period of 6 months was noticed in night pain, pain on passive motion, tenderness on palpation and in the index of severity of OA of the knee.

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