Pack Therapy Research Articles

Effects of Hot Pack Therapy on Post-Colonoscopy Pain: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

BackgroundPost-colonoscopy pain (PCP) is a negative condition that causes physical and psychological distress to patients and may lead to noncompliance with treatment and follow-up. The most common hypothesis for the cause of PCP is the inflation of the lumen with air to examine the mucosa. There are no previous studies that have examined the effects of thermal therapy in patients with PCP. AimsIn this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the Hot Pack (HP) method in patients with PCP. DesignRandomized, controlled, prospective study. MethodsPatients were randomized 1:1 into 2 groups of HP and control. In the HP group, hot packs of 40-45°C, kept in a hydrocollator heating unit for 30-35 minutes and wrapped in towels, were applied to the umbilical and hypogastric region of patients in the supine position for 30 minutes. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were used to measure the pain after colonoscopy. Visual analog scores at 1, 6, and 24 hours were recorded and compared in both groups. ResultsThere was a significant difference in the presence and severity of pain between the two groups at 1 and 6 hours after colonoscopy (p < .001 and p = .004, respectively). There was no significant difference in pain scores at 24 hours between two groups. ConclusionsThis study showed that the application of HP to patients after colonoscopy is effective in reducing pain in the early period.

A Case Report: Korean Medicine Treatment for a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patient Persistently Complaining of Fatigue and Chest Tightness

Objective: This study reported the improved symptoms of integrative Korean medicine-based treatment in a patient diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) who persistently complained of fatigue and chest tightness.Methods: A 51-year-old female SLE patient persistently complaining of fatigue and chest tightness underwent an 18-day treatment with Kracie &lt;i&gt;Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang&lt;/i&gt;, Cheongpajeon-H, Gwanjeol-go, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping therapy, deep tissue meridian hot pack therapy, manual therapy, Interferential Current Therapy, and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for each symptom were measured on admission, at one week, two weeks of hospitalization, and upon discharge. Clinical outcomes were assessed using these two figures.Results: After treatment, there was a reduction in the BFI score (7 to 3). The NRS score of chest tightness with hot flashes decreased from 8 to 5, neck pain lessened from 7 to 5, pain in both ankles diminished from 6 to 4, the cold hypersensitivity of both feet fell from 6 to 4, and heartburn decreased from 5 to 2. In order, the biggest clinical improvement was to heartburn, fatigue, and chest tightness with hot flashes.Conclusion: This case study shows that integrative Korean medicine-based treatment can improve symptoms of a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patient persistently complaining of fatigue and chest tightness with hot flashes and suggests that &lt;i&gt;Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang&lt;/i&gt; may be an effective option for managing and treating SLE patients.

Effect of Cryotherapy Combined with William Flexion Exercise in Reducing Myogenic Low Back Pain

Background: Health problems related to daily activities can be experienced by individuals or groups. The most common complaint in the musculoskeletal system is low back pain. Low Back Pain according to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in 2018 means pain that is felt in the lower back area, between the lowest costal angle to the sacrum. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding cold pack therapy to the William flexion exercise on reducing pain in myogenic LBP patients. Subjects and Method: This was an experiment study conducted at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Central Java, in September 2022. A sample of 22 patients with myogenic low back pain was allocated into two groups. The dependent variable was pain. The independent variable was cryotherapy combined with William flexion exercise. Pain was measured using quadripel visual analogue scale. Mean between groups after intervention was analyzed using independent t test. Results: Mean of pain in the intervention group (Mean= 6.27; SD= 1.00) was lower than control group (Mean= 7.09; SD= 0.94), and it was statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Cryotherapy combined with William flexion exercise is better to reduce pain in patients with myogenic low back pain. Keywords: low back pain myogenic, cryotherapy, William flexion exercise. Correspondence: Yoga Handita Windiastoni. Study Program of Physiotherapy, Health Polytechnic, Ministry of Health Surakarta, Karanganyar, Central Java. Email: handitayoga@gmail.com. Mobile: 081329036114.

Clinical observation of Chinese herbal medicine hot pack therapy combined with meibomian gland massage in the treatment of dry eye of Liver-kidney Yin deficiency and related nursing measures

Clinical observation of Chinese herbal medicine hot pack therapy combined with meibomian gland massage in the treatment of dry eye of Liver-kidney Yin deficiency and related nursing measures

Comparison Effectiveness Of Ice Pack Therapy And Cinnamin Decil On Reduce Perineal Wound Pain In Padasuka Village Working Area, Kab. Lebak The Year 2022

Background : WHO (2018) states that the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), there are approximately 830 women who die every day due to things that can actually be anticipated which are generally related to the process of pregnancy and childbirth. Pain or morbidity that occurs early in the puerperium is generally caused by the influence of mastitis, urinary tract infections, infections of episiotomy and laceration wounds, and other diseases. The puerperium is the period since the birth of the baby, the discharge of the amniotic fluid, the birth of the placenta, and the membranes needed to restore the health condition of the uterine organs back to their pre-pregnancy state.. This period generally occurs around 6 weeks. The general condition in postpartum mothers is feeling of pain and discomfort in the area of ​​ruptured sutures (perineal wounds).Purpose : Knowing the Comparative Effectiveness of Ice Pack Therapy and Cinnamon Decoction on Reducing Perineal Wound Pain in Padauka Village in 2022Method : The method in this research is experiment. The type of research used is Quasi Experimental. The population in this study were all postpartum mothers in the working area of ​​Padasuka Village, Kab. Lebak as many as 87 samples. The sample in this study was 30 postpartum mothers. The sampling technique is Purposive Sampling.Result : There is a comparative effect of ice pack and cinnamon extract therapy on reducing the intensity of perineal wound pain level II, this is in line with the results of the Mann Whitney U test with a significant value of 0.000 &lt;0.05.Conclusion and Suggestion : There is a comparison of the effect of ice pack therapy and cinnamon extract on reducing pain intensity in grade II penrineal wounds. Treatment of perineal tear pain during the postpartum period is an important thing that is needed by postpartum mothers, therefore it is very necessary to have a good treatment and intensive care that is able to overcome the mother's complaints of felt wound pain so that the mother feels comfortable during her postpartum period.

Nursing of a patient with periarthritis of the shoulder treated by Traditional Chinese Medicine ointment rubbing combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine hot pack therapy

Nursing of a patient with periarthritis of the shoulder treated by Traditional Chinese Medicine ointment rubbing combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine hot pack therapy

A Case Report of Korean Medical Treatment of a Dyspepsia Patient with Lethargy and Dizziness

Objectives: The aim of this case report was to present the effects of Korean medicine treatment on a patient with dyspepsia symptoms like those of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Methods: A 64-year-old male patient with dyspepsia was treated with &lt;i&gt;Sosiho-tang&lt;/i&gt; decoction, &lt;i&gt;Banhasasim-tang&lt;/i&gt; soft extract, &lt;i&gt;Gamihyangsayukgunja-tang&lt;/i&gt; decoction, and Kracie &lt;i&gt;Sihogayonggolmoryu-tang&lt;/i&gt; extract, along with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and deep tissue meridian hot pack therapy for five days of hospitalization. Pain from the dyspepsia was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale and the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale.Results: Within five days of treatment, dyspepsia was relieved from a Numerical Rating Scale score of 7 to a score of 3. The European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions Scale score increased from 0.455 to 0.816.Conclusion: These results show that dyspepsia can be relieved with Korean medicine treatment. However, further well-designed studies are required to confirm these findings.

Immediate effect of cold mud pack therapy on autonomic variables in primary hypertensive individuals: a randomized trial.

Mud pack or compress is an easily accessible, cost-effective, efficient treatment modality used in naturopathy to manage and prevent various chronic illnesses. This study sought to elucidate the effectiveness of cold spinal mud packs on improving neuro-cardiac parameters among hypertensive individuals. A total of 100 hypertensive subjects aged 30-50 years were randomly allocated into two groups: Cold spinal mud pack (CSMP) and prone rest. Blood Pressure (BP) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) were assessed at three-time points: Baseline, After 20min (T1), After 60min (T2). This single-blinded randomized controlled trial was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2019/12/022492). After 20min of CSMP showed a statistically significant reduction (p<0.01) in mean values of Systolic BP, Diastolic BP, and in HRV attained statistically significant change (p<0.01) in mean score in the frequency domain except for Very low-frequency power (VLF) and a significant difference found in the mean score of time-domain values (p<0.01) when compared to control group and 95% confidence interval (CI) will be provided for each effect. CSMP reduces the sympathetic tone and shifts the sympathovagal balance in favor of parasympathetic dominance, contributing to a decrease in BP and effective changes in components of HRV.

The effects of a 6-Week balance training in addition to conventional physiotherapy on pain, postural control, and balance confidence in patients with cervical disc herniation: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose Impaired postural control and fear of falling are common symptoms in patients with neck disorders, but the effects of balance training have not yet been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of balance training on neck pain, postural control, and balance confidence in patients with cervical disc herniation (CDH). Materials and methods Thirty patients (21 females and 9 males) aged 18–55 years were randomly assigned into two groups and followed up for 6 weeks, with a 3-day weekly treatment program. Both groups received hot pack therapy, interferential current, and myofascial relaxation and cervical dynamic isometric exercises. The training group also received additional balance training on a force platform with the visual feedback technique. All patients were evaluated using the visual analogue scale for pain intensity, activity specific balance confidence scale (ABC) for balance confidence, centre of pressure with eyes closed-eyes open (CoP-EO/CoP-EC), and the limits of stability tests (LoS) for postural control with a monoaxial bipodal stabilometric force platform pre- and post-intervention. Results The pain intensity was significantly reduced in both groups (p = 0.01). CoP-EO/CoP-EC and LoS results improved in the training group (p = 0.036, p = 0.020, p = 0.23, respectively), whereas no effects were observed in the control group (p = 0.955, p = 0.307, p = 0.363, respectively). Although ABC scores increased significantly in both groups (p = 0.001, p = 0.009, respectively), the increase in the training group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p = 0.003). Conclusions The results of our study revealed that balance training added to the treatment protocol of CDH may have positive results in the treatment of neck problems. Accordingly, balance training in the treatment of chronic neck problems should also be considered for a comprehensive management of CDH

Evaluation of the effectiveness of ice pack therapy on pain after extraction of mandibular third molar

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ice pack therapy on pain after mandibular third molar extraction. Material and methods: Thirty patients who required extraction of mandibular third molars and satisfied the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Bilateral full erupted mandibular third molars were extracted under local anesthesia. Routine medication and ice pack therapy (directly over the masseteric region of the surgery region for 12 hours, intermittently for 20 minutes) were performed after one side mandibular third molar extraction and only routine medication was applied after other side mandibular third molar extraction. The pain was evaluated with Visual Analog Scale. The Student t-test was applied to compare pain levels between groups. Results: The study was carried out in 30 patients, 15 female and 15 male with a mean age of 21.53±2.22 years. There was a statistically significant difference in the evaluation of VAS levels in postoperative 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 hours between the groups. Pain levels of female were found to be higher than male at 2nd, 4th, 6th and 24th hours in the non-ice pack therapy group and found to be higher than male at 4th, 6th and 8th hours in the ice pack therapy group. Conclusion: Pain levels after mandibular third molar extraction were significantly lower who had an ice pack therapy. Ice pack therapy is a viable alternative mode of improving the quality of life of patients after the extraction of third molars.

The Acute Effect of Cold Pack Therapy Applied on Healthy People for Different Periods

The Acute Effect of Cold Pack Therapy Applied on Healthy People for Different Periods

The effects of Tiszas\xfcly and Kolop mud pack therapy on knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomised, non-inferiority controlled study

The aim of this non-inferiority study was to evaluate and compare the effects of Tiszasüly and Kolop mud pack therapy on pain, function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. In this double-blind, randomised, follow-up study, 60 patients with knee osteoarthritis were treated with either Tiszasüly hot mud pack (group 1) or with Kolop hot mud pack (group 2) on 10 occasions for 2 weeks (10 working days). One hundred millimetre visual analogue scale (VAS) for knee pain, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the Lequesne Index for physical function and EuroQoL-5D for quality-of-life measurements were recorded at baseline, at the end of treatment (week 2) and 3 months later (week 12). In both groups, all measured parameters improved significantly from the baseline until the end of treatment and during the follow-up period (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the WOMAC, KOOS, EQ-5D and Lequesne Index at any visits. Knee pain improved in both groups at week 2 and week 12; the only significant difference visible between the groups was at the end of the treatment in favour of the Tiszasüly mud pack group (p = 0.009). Tiszasüly and Kolop mud packs both have a favourable effect on knee pain, physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Our results proved non-inferiority of Tiszasüly mud pack.

Effectiveness of physiotherapy rehabilitation on hysterical trismus

Trismus, known as difficulty in mouth opening, commonly occurs due to disturbances in the trigeminal nerve resulting in spasm of masticatory muscles. With a literature review on rehabilitation of hysterical trismus, it was observed that there were different electrotherapeutic modalities and exercises which have their individual benefits for trismus. However, there is a lack of a set structured exercise and electrotherapy protocol for the rehabilitation of this condition which may help for better and faster prognosis. A 62-year-old female with hysterical trismus was assessed using dial caliper for mouth opening and was treated using physiotherapeutic approaches. Pre- and postintervention values were recorded. Physiotherapy interventions included hot moist pack therapy, myofascial release, goldfish exercises for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), TMJ mobilization with distraction, ultrasound, and maintenance of mouth opening using ice cream sticks. Aerospace 200-mm dial caliper was used to measure mouth opening. The present report emphasis on the effect of 2 weeks of physiotherapy intervention using a combination of electrotherapy and exercise has benefited the patient in improving the mouth opening and overall quality of life.

Management of postoperative ileus after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

To compare different postoperative management methods on the recovery of bowel function after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).This is a prospective study of 716 patients who underwent RALP at Severance Hospital in Seoul, South Korea, between March 2017 and February 2018. Instructions for the different postoperative management methods (mobilization, abdominal massage, hot pack therapy, and gum chewing) were presented to patients, who subsequently reported when these activities were performed as well as the time to first flatus on a designated form.There were no significant differences in age, height, weight, body mass index, body surface area, prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores with respect to early bowel recovery. Prolonged times of surgery and anesthesia significantly caused delays in bowel recovery. The total number and time of mobilization, total time of hot pack therapy, and number of gum chewing were significantly and positively associated with bowel recovery. A Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that all of the postoperative management methods were positively associated with the mean time to first flatus.Methods of postoperative management (mobilization, abdominal massage, hot pack therapy, and gum chewing) have positive effect on bowel motility after RALP. Furthermore, reductions in the times of surgery and anesthesia could significantly decrease prolonged delays in bowel recovery.

Effect of cold pack therapy for management of burn scar pruritus: A pilot study

PurposePruritus, a common, chronically disabling condition is often refractory to treatment. The pruritus sensation is mediated in the spinal cord and post-burn pruritus is considered a form of neuropathic pain. We investigated cold pack therapy as a treatment modality for post-burn pruritus. MethodsWe studied 23 patients with severe pruritus scoring at least 5 on the visual analogue scale (VAS) and refractory to antihistamine and gabapentin administration. Each cold pack therapy lasted more than 20min. Patients participated in more than three sessions daily for 4 consecutive weeks. The numerical rating scale (NRS), 5-D Itch Scale, Leuven Itch Scale, and perfusion units were evaluated before, within 30min after, 2, and 4 weeks cold pack therapy. ResultsIn all patients, the NRS was 9.37±1.47 pre-therapy, 3.48±2.19 at 2 weeks, and 2.78±2.13 at 4 weeks following therapy, the pre-scores being significantly different (p<0.001). Pruritus severity and consequences scores (Leuven Itch Scale) were improved after therapy compared to pre-therapy. Perfusion unit (PU) scores were statistically insignificant compared to PU scores measured before the application of cold pack therapy. Degree, direction, and disability scores (5-D Itch scale) significantly differed (p<.05). ConclusionCold pack therapy, a non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment modality significantly reduces post-burn pruritus and could be useful in burn patients.

Effects of local mud pack and saline bath therapy in hand osteoarthritis; randomized single-blind study

Hand osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of hyaline cartilage which harms the hand joints. It affects the entire structure of the joints and causes a significant disability. In its etiology, gender, genetics, obesity and trauma play a crucial role. The prevalence increases with age, and although no difference is observed in its occurrence between men and pre-menopausal women, it is frequently seen in postmenopausal women. As it was claimed in the evidence based recommendations for the management of hand osteoarthritis Report of a Task Force of the EULAR Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutics and Recommendations for the Use of Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Therapies in Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee; thermal therapies are among the treatment options of hand osteoarthritis. In our trial we aim to prove how and of hands into thermomineral are beneficial on patient's pain and functioning, and to investigate which method is more effective. We have compared the immersion of hands into thermomineral water and the local peloidotherapy methods. 70 patients who have been observed at Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Medical Ecology and Hydroclimatology Department and diagnosed with hand osteoarthritis according to the ACR criteria were included to our trial. The participants have been divided into two groups by computer-based randomization. The method of immersion of hands into the 38°C thermomineral has been applied to one group and the method of application of 42°C peloid has been applied to the other group. The treatment has been applied in cures to the patients in both groups for 2 weeks in total, 20 minutes every day for ten days. Patients have been examined by a blind doctor four times: before the treatment, after the treatment, three and six months after the beginning of the treatment. They were examined by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (pain, patient's overall assessment, physicians global assessment), Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) Index (pain, stiffness, and function), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Duruoz Hand Index (DHI), Grip strength by Jamar hand dynamometer. When the results have been analyzed it has been observed that both treatment groups have reached statistically significant results for improvements of pain and function which show parallelism. These improvements have also been observed in their 3rd and 6th month follow-up controls. In this trial, it has been demonstrated that two different balneological methods – of hands into thermomineral and of hands – have similar positive effects on pain and function and that these effects continue for a long time.

Gömülü Yirmi Yaş Diş Çekimi Sonrası Soğuk Uygulamasının Etkinliği: Randomize Kontrollü Klinik Çalışma

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of ice pack therapy on post-operative swelling, trismus and pain perception following impacted third molar surgery. Material and Methods: Eighteen patients and bilateral third molars were included to this study. At the end of the first operation, cold application was not recommended to patients. Following the second surgery, cold application for 24 hours was added to the recommendation list. Swelling, pain and mouth opening were evaluated for each post-operative period. Results:Mean Visual Analogue Scale scores of cold application group were slightly lower than control group, although differences between the groups was not statistically significant (p=0.06). At the seventh post-operative day inter-incisal distance in the cold application group was still higher. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups concerning the trismus at the seventh post-operative day (p=0.259). Swelling was lower in the cold application group at the both third and seventh postoperative day however, the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.926). Conclusion: According to results in the present study, ice pack therapy following impacted third molar surgery has no effect on post-operative swelling, trismus and pain perception.

The role of mineral elements and other chemical compounds used in balneology: data from double-blind randomized clinical trials.

The aims of this study were to conduct a systematic literature review on balneotherapy about the specific therapeutic role of mineral elements and other chemical compounds of mineral waters and derivate peloids/muds and to discuss the study methods used to evaluate it (in musculoskeletal conditions). We searched Medline by PubMed using the following key words: "spa therapy" "balneotherapy" "mud" "peloid" "mud pack Therapy" in combination with "randomized controlled trial" "double blind trial." We also reviewed the reference list of articles retrieved by the Medline search. We selected the double-blind randomized clinical trials that assessed the effects of mineral water or mud treatments compared to tap water, attenuated peloid/mud therapy or similar treatments without the specific minerals or chemical compounds of the treatment group ("non-mineral"). We evaluated the internal validity and the quality of the statistical analysis of these trials. The final selection comprised 27 double-blind randomized clinical trials, 20 related to rheumatology. A total of 1118 patients with rheumatological and other musculoskeletal diseases were evaluated in these studies: 552 of knee osteoarthritis, 47 of hand osteoarthritis, 147 chronic low back pain, 308 of reumathoid arthritis, and 64 of osteoporosis; 293 of these participants were assigned to the experimental groups of knee osteoarthritis, 24 in hand osteoarthritis, 82 of low back pain, 152 with reumathoid arthritis, and 32 with osteoporosis. They were treated with mineral water baths and/or mud/peloid (with or without other forms of treatment, like physical therapy, exercise…). The rest were allocated to the control groups; they received mainly tap water and/or "non-mineral" mud/peloid treatments. Mineral water or mud treatments had better and longer improvements in pain, function, quality of life, clinical parameters, and others in some rheumatologic diseases (knee and hand osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis) compared to baseline and non-mineral similar treatments. Internal validity and other limitations of the study's methodology impede causal relation of spa therapy on these improvements. Randomized clinical trials are very heterogeneous. Double-blind randomized clinical trials seem to be the key for studying the role of mineral elements and other chemical compounds, observing enough consistency to demonstrate better and longer improvements for mineral waters or derivate compared to tap water; but due to heterogeneity and gaps on study protocol and methodology, existing research is not sufficiently strong to draw firm conclusions. Well-designed studies in larger patients' population are needed to establish the role of minerals and other chemical compounds in spa therapy.

The effects of Gua sha on symptoms and inflammatory biomarkers associated with chronic low back pain: A randomized active-controlled crossover pilot study in elderly

ObjectiveTo address the challenges for trialing with elderly and the lacking of valid sham/placebo control, a randomized crossover pilot study is designed and its feasibility on elderly subjects is evaluated. DesignA pilot randomized crossover study was conducted with hydrocollator-based hot pack therapy as active control. Pain intensity, physical disability, depression, general health status, and salivary biomarkers were assessed as outcome measures. ResultsDespite there was no significant difference observed between any outcome measures attained by the two interventions, several important differences were noted during the one-week follow-up period. The magnitudes of pain reduction (21–25% versus 16–18%) and disability improvement (45–52% versus 39–42%) were greater in the Gua sha-treated group than the hot pack group. Both treatments were shown to improve flexion, extension and bending movements of the lower back, whereas areas of improvement varied between the two interventions. Decreasing trends were observed in both tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels following Gua sha. However, rebounds of the biomarkers were observed one week following hot pack. Furthermore, in response to Gua sha, the decrease of TNF-α was strongly correlated with the improvement of physical disability, whereas the physical disability was correlated with the VAS pain intensity. ConclusionIt demonstrated a feasible clinical trial protocol for evaluating the effectiveness of Gua sha and other therapeutic modalities. Gua sha may exhibit a more long-lasting anti-inflammatory effect relative to hot pack for pain relief and improved mobility in elderly patients with chronic low back pain.

Balneological outpatient treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis; an effective non-drug therapy option in daily routine?

This study aims to compare the effects of balneological treatments applied at consecutive and intermittent sessions without interfering with their daily routine in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This is a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial. Fifty patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis were included. The patients were divided into two groups. All patients were given a total of ten sessions of balneological treatment consisting of hydrotherapy and mud pack therapy. Group 1 received consecutive treatment for 2weeks, while group 2 received intermittent treatment for 5weeks. Local peloid packs at 45°C were applied for 20min, after a tap water (38°C) bath. Evaluations were conducted before, after treatment, and at 12th week of post-treatment by Pain (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Short Form-36 (SF-36). Both balneological treatment regimens of knee osteoarthritis had statistically significant clinical effects as well as effects on the quality of life. Patients' well-being continued at 3months, except for joint stiffness (WOMAC), role-emotional (SF-36), and vitality (SF-36) in group 1 and for mental health (SF-36) in both groups. Both patient groups had improved compared to baseline. However, at 3months after the treatment, the well-being of group 2 was unable to be maintained in terms of role-physical (SF-36) parameter, while the well-being of group 1 was unable to be maintained in terms of pain, WOMAC (pain, physical functions, total), and SF-36 (physical functioning, role-physical, pain, role-emotional, and mental health) variables, compared to data obtained immediately after treatment. Our study suggests that traditional and intermittent balneological therapies have similar efficacy in patients with knee osteoarthritis.