Study on healing therapies for older patients with osteoarthritis

Mine Karagülle et al.

January 2016

Healing & thermal therapy

Rheumatism / Joints / Arthritis / Arthrosis

This study aims to evaluate the short-term effects of spa treatments in patients aged 65 years and older with osteoarthritis.

As part of a retrospective observational study at the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, the records of 239 elderly patients who underwent spa treatment between 2002 and 2012 were analyzed. The patients received a two-week therapy in a thermal spa hotel and were examined before and after the treatment.

Significant improvements were observed in pain, global assessments, disability indices and functional indices for different types of osteoarthritis. Response rates based on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology-Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria were high, particularly in generalized osteoarthritis and multi-joint osteoarthritis involving the knee.

The results suggest that the spa treatment can effectively improve pain and physical function in older osteoarthritis patients.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Osteoarthritis
Institution: Department of Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology, İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, Tıbbi Ekoloji ve Hidroklimatoloji A.B.D. İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Fatih/Capa, İstanbul, 34093, Turkey
Title: Study on the effect of healing therapies for older patients with osteoarthritis
Brief description: The study shows that spa treatments significantly improve pain and physical function in older patients with osteoarthritis.
Original title: Spa therapy for elderly: a retrospective study of 239 older patients with osteoarthritis
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26813884/