Evaluation of the therapeutic and the chemical effects of balneological treatment on clinical and laboratory parameters in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic and the chemical effects of balneological treatment (peloidotherapy + hydrotherapy), and its effects on serum levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Sixty-four (64) knee OA patients were randomly divided into study and control groups. Balneological treatment, consisting of hydrotherapy, and peloidotherapy were given to both groups. Unlike the study group, in the control group, the peloid was applied over a stretch film cover, preventing any contact between the skin and peloid. Clinical outcome measures of the study were pain degree, patient’s and investigator’s global assessment on visual analog scale (VAS-pain, VAS-PGA, VAS-IGA), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) (pain, stiffness, and physical function). Patients were evaluated at baseline, post-treatment (after 10th session), and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Blood samples were taken at baseline, post- treatment, and 6 months after treatment for analysis of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IGF-1 serum levels. When compared with the baseline, VAS measurements decreased significantly in almost all evaluation periods in both groups, and no difference was observed between the groups. In the study group, WOMAC scores showed significant improvement in all assessments. In the control group, pain and physical function subscores of WOMAC significantly decreased at post-treatment and 3 months after treatment. In group comparison, pain and stiffness subscores showed a significant difference in favor of the study group at 6 months after treatment. No clinically significant improvement was seen in levels of IL-1β and IGF-1 in both groups during the whole assessment period. Because of TNF-α kit failure, we could not evaluate the measurements. In conclusion, balneological treatment is an effective treatment option to improve the pain and functional capacity of patients with knee OA. The application of peloid by contact with the skin is superior in the long-term period, which means that in addition to the thermal effect, the chemical content of peloid can also contribute to the therapeutic effect.