In this study, the authors evaluated the effectiveness and safety of outpatient balneological treatment consisting of hydrotherapy and peloid therapy in elderly patients with osteoarthritis (1). Hydrotherapy was applied as head-out immersion in a tap water pool at 36-38 °C for 20 min and then peloid therapy was applied as a local peloid pack on the painful region or joint at 42-43 °C for 20 min, on each weekday for 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated before and after the treatment and outcome measurements were pain, patient's global assessment, physician's global assessment, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index, Lequesne hip index, Waddell index, neck pain and disability scale, and health assessment questionnaire. In total, 235 osteoarthritis patients were included in the analysis. The authors found significant improvements in pain and function scores in generalized, knee, lumbar, cervical and hand osteoarthritis. The results showed that the majority of patients (59.1%) fulfilled the outcome measures in Rheumatology-Osteoarthritis Research Society International responder criteria. The treatment demonstrated a good safety profile. The authors conclude this may be a worthwhile therapy for these patients.

References

(1) Kardes S, et al. Outpatient balneological treatment of osteoarthritis in older persons : A retrospective study. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2018;doi: 10.1007/s00391-018-1370-3.