Study on the effectiveness of mud packs for osteoarthritis

Gerrit Steffen Maier et al.

November 2023

Fango treatment

Rheumatism / Joints / Arthritis / Arthrosis

The aim of the meta-study was to systematically review published studies evaluating the clinical effectiveness of mud packs and mud baths in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Nineteen studies published between 2000 and 2020 were included, most of which focused on knee osteoarthritis. Other studies looked at hand osteoarthritis, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and chronic low back pain due to lumbar osteoarthritis.

The review found significant improvements in function, quality of life and pain perception in osteoarthritis patients who underwent mud therapy. Randomized controlled trials suggest that mud therapy in combination with other treatments such as pharmacotherapy or physiotherapy as part of an integrated multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis could provide promising results.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Osteoarthritis
Institution: Clinic for Orthopaedic and Rheumatological Rehabilitation, Rehazentrum am Meer, Bad Zwischenahn, Germany
Title: Study on the effectiveness of mud packs and mud baths for osteoarthritis
Brief description: The study shows that mud therapy for osteoarthritis leads to significant improvements in function, quality of life and pain perception.
Original title: Effectiveness of Mud-Pack Therapy and Mud-Bath Therapy in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38008065/