Study on the effect of therapeutic fasting for jointathritis

Sebastian Schmidt et al.

April 2010

Buchinger fasting

Rheumatism / Joints / Arthritis / Arthrosis

The clinical study at Jena University Hospital looked at the effectiveness of outpatient therapeutic fasting on the symptoms of patients with finger joint and gonarthrosis.

30 test subjects followed the fasting according to Buchinger concept for two weeks : three relief days, eight fasting days and four build-up days with follow-up after four and twelve weeks. Pain intensity, pain on onset, pain on exertion and pain at rest, pressure pain threshold, joint function, health-related quality of life, the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities, Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), analgesic consumption, body mass index, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, pulse and extensive serological parameters were examined.

The study showed that pain perception, body weight and BMI as well as analgesic consumption were significantly reduced. There was a visible improvement in well-being and joint function.

Therapeutic fasting had a positive effect on the symptoms of patients with osteoarthritis and could be an adequate pain therapy under medical supervision.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Osteoarthritis
Institution: Competence Center for Naturopathic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
Title: Study on the effectiveness of therapeutic fasting according to Buchinger for osteoarthritis
Brief description: The study shows that fasting according to Buchinger reduces pain, weight and analgesic consumption in osteoarthritis.
Original title: Uncontrolled clinical study of the efficacy of ambulant fasting in patients with osteoarthritis
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20484916/