Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects
80 patients from Caldes de Boí Spa with KOA that fulfill ACR´s criteria and
KOA´s radiological criteria were randomized distributed into two groups: 40 patients
were treated every day, during 10 days, with maturated mud and Caldes de
Boí- Tartera mineral water bath (36-38 ºc) and also steam bath; 40 patients were
treated every day, during 10 days, with Caldes de Boí- Tartera mineral water bath
(36-38 ºc) and steam bath only.
All patients were evaluated before and after 10 days of balneology treatment
(functional evaluation, body mass index , muscular and joint balance; VAS pain
scale, Lequesne´s scale, WOMAC scale and SAR-M scale).
Results
All protocol treatments showed their efficiency by improving both symptomatology
and functionality. Better results were obtained when mud or parafango were
used.
Conclusions
Osteoarthritis is the most common rheumatic disease in developed countries.
Conservatory osteoarthritis treatment is based on pharmacological management.
With this study we can conclude that balneotherapy is a good complement to decrease
pain and improve funcionality in knee osteoarthritis. Better results are
achieved when local thermotherapy methods are used, such as: parafango or mud.
References
1. Karagülle M, Karagülle MZ, Karagülle O, Dönmez A, Turan M. A 10-day
course of SPA therapy is beneficial for people with severe knee osteoarthritis.
A 24-week randomised, controlled pilot study. Clin Rheumatol.
2007;26(12):2063-71.
2. Verhagen A, Bierma-Zeinstra S, Lambeck J, Cardoso JR, de Bie R, Boers M,
de Vet HC. Balneotherapy for osteoarthritis. A cochrane review. J Rheumatol.
2008;35(6):1118-23.
3. Forestier R, Françon A. Crenobalneotherapy for limb osteoarthritis: systematic
literature review and methodological analysis. Joint Bone Spine.
2008;75(2):138-48.
4. Fioravanti A, Iacoponi F, Bellisai B, Cantarini L, Galeazzi M. Short- and longterm
effects of spa therapy in knee osteoarthritis. Am J Phys Med Rehabil.
2010;89(2):125-32.
5. Forestier R, Desfour H, Tessier JM, Françon A, Foote AM, Genty C, Rolland
C, Roques CF, Bosson JL. Spa therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a
large randomised multicentre trial. Ann Rheum Dis. 2010;69(4):660-5
6. Vela L, Chavero A. Papel de la reeducación funcional en piscina: nuestra experiencia
en los balnearios de Caldes de Boí y Lanjarón. An Hidrol Med. 2011;4:
45-56.
Keywords: Balneotherapy, Knee Osteoarthritis, Chlorided-Ferruginous Mineral
Water, Sulfured Mineral Water, Mud-Therapy.
184
Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 183-184