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Balneotherapy and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Control Trial
Isabel Santos1,2, Pedro Cantista1,3, Carlos Vasconcelos1,3
1Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
The Israel Medical Association Journal : IMAJ
|May 5, 2017
Summary
Spa therapy combined with medication significantly improved quality of life for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. This treatment enhanced physical function and reduced pain, offering a beneficial complementary approach for RA management.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Therapeutic Modalities
- Clinical Research
Background:
- The efficacy of balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains debated due to methodological limitations in existing studies.
- High-quality research is needed to clarify the role of spa therapy in RA management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefits of integrating spa therapy with standard pharmacological treatment for RA patients.
- To compare the effectiveness of combined therapy versus pharmacological treatment alone in managing RA.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, controlled, unblinded study design with random assignment of RA patients.
- Utilized an "immediate treatment versus delayed treatment" approach as per AFRETH 2007 guidelines.
- Assessed outcomes using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) with statistical analysis including moderated regression and Johnson-Neyman technique.
Main Results:
- Patients receiving spa therapy showed significant improvement in HAQ-DI scores at 21 days (OR 0.37, P=0.01) and at 3-month follow-up (OR 0.44, P=0.004).
- The spa therapy group demonstrated enhanced physical function and reduced disability compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Spa therapy, as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment, offers significant benefits for RA patients, particularly in improving functional capacity.
- The primary aim of such complementary therapies is to enhance the overall quality of life for individuals suffering from RA, especially those with predominant pain.
