Effect of balneotherapy on pain and fatigue in elderly with knee osteoarthritis receiving physical therapy: a randomized trial

摘要: This study aimed to investigate whether balneotherapy (BT) applied in combination with physical therapy (PT) has a more positive effect patients aged 65 years and older knee osteoarthritis (KOA) compared PT alone. A total of 305 individuals were randomized into two groups. Group I was alone; group II PT + BT. Assessments made using the Pain (VAS), EQ-5D-3L Scale, Western Ontario And McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Functional Assessment Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) Epworth Sleepiness scale (EPWORTH) Outcome Measures Rheumatology-The Research Society International set responder criteria for (OMERACT-OARSI) at beginning (T0) end (T1) treatment. Statistically significant interactions found between treatment (PT alone or PT + BT) time (before after treatment) terms Pain-VAS, Pain-WOMAC, Stiffness-WOMAC, Physical Function-WOMAC, Total-WOMAC, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, FACIT-F, EPWORTH scores (p < 0.0001 all). According OMERACT-OARSI criteria, rate 89.04% 98.74% PT + BT group. Balneotherapy plus effective than KOA over 65 years. Reducing pain, especially, positively contributes functionality, quality life, fatigue sleepiness patients.