Efficacy of Balneotherapy and Mud Therapy in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To identify literature reporting on thermal mineral water and mud therapy effectiveness on pain, stiffness and knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Design Systematic evidence scan of MEDLINE and PubMed was performed to identify the randomized controlled trial studies published from 2004 to December 2018. Study selection Papers reporting the effect of balneotherapy and mud therapy for treating knee OA, a duration of ≥2 weeks and in which Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were used as an outcome measure. Data extraction Not RCT, Studies not in English. Results A quantitative meta-analysis of ten studies (831 patients) was performed. Five clinical studies (407 patients) measured effectiveness of balneotherapy and there was significant difference between the groups in WOMAC pain score, WOMAC stiffness score and WOMAC function score, with the differences in favour of balneotherapy. Six clinical studies (500 patients) measured effectiveness of mud therapy and there was significant difference between the groups in WOMAC pain score, WOMAC stiffness score and WOMAC function score, with the differences in favour of mud therapy. Conclusion This meta-analysis indicates that balneotherapy and mud therapy were clinically effective in relieving pain, stiffness, and improving function, as assessed by WOMAC score.