Study on Hévíz thermal water for knee joint arthrosis

Á Kulisch et al.

May 2014

Healing & thermal therapy

Rheumatism / Joints / Arthritis / Arthrosis

The St. Andrew Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, in collaboration with other Hungarian hospitals, conducted a randomized, controlled, blind study to evaluate the effect of Hévíz thermal water on osteoarthritis.

The sample consisted of 77 outpatients aged 45 to 75 years with mild to severe knee joint osteoarthritis and was divided into a thermal group (n = 38) with treatments in the Hévíz thermal lake and a control group (n = 39) with baths in tap water. Thewater temperature for both groups was 34 °C and the 30-minute therapy took place five times a week for three weeks.

During the course of the study, significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to the visual analog scale, degree of flexion, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index and the EQ-5D health questionnaire.

The study showed that treatment at the Hévíz therapeutic lake improves the pain, function and quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in the short and long term.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Osteoarthritis
Institution: St. Andrew Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases Hévíz, Hungary
Title: Study on Hévíz thermal water for knee joint arthrosis
Brief description: The study shows that Hévíz thermal water relieves knee osteoarthritis pain, improves joint function & increases quality of life.
Original title: Evaluation of the effect of Lake Hévíz thermal mineral water in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled, single-blind, follow-up study
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24594851/