Evulation of early period effectiveness of balneotheraphy in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Balneotherapy is a non-pharmacological method recommended and used in knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the early-term effectiveness of the physical therapy program applied together with balneotherapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients diagnosed with primary knee osteoarthritis were included in the study. Randomization was carried out as a balneotherapy group (n=30) and a control group (n =30) by simple randomization method. In Both groups, all of the patients were treated with a fifteen sessions physical therapy program consisting of a hot pack, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, and ultrasound (1 MHz, 1,5 Watt/cm2). Patients in the balneotherapy group were also treated for fifteen sessions balneotherapy program lasting 20 min/day in addition to the physical therapy program. Patients were assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), WOMAC, and isokinetic muscle testing at the beginning and end of the therapies. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement was observed in the mean scores of VAS, all WOMAC scores, and isokinetic test measurements after treatment in both groups (p<0.001). Comparison of the groups by percent changes showed that; VAS (p=0.047), WOMAC pain (p=0.002), WOMAC stiffness (p=0.004), WOMAC function (p=0.001), WOMAC total (p=0.001) differed significantly in favor of balneotherapy group, no significant difference was found in isokinetic muscle strength measurements (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Balneotherapy combined with a physical therapy program in patients with knee osteoarthritis is effective in reducing pain and increasing physical function in the early period.