Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Pages: 129-136

Journal: Aktuelle Rheumatologie

Volume number: 42

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0341-051X

eISSN: 1438-9940

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-118383

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag

Abstract: 

Methods of physical therapy, in addition to anti-rheumatic medication, are an integral part of the multimodal treatment concept in rheumatic diseases. The aim of this randomised, prospective study was to analyse the effects of serial mud baths in 40 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee joints. In addition to changes of functional health in response to this treatment, possible molecular effects on cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1 beta, IL-10) and inflammatory parameters (erythrocyte sedimentation rate - ESR, C-reactive protein - CRP) were analysed after serial mud baths. After randomisation, 18 patients received standardised physical therapy (control group - KG), and 22 patients received additional serial mud baths (intervention group - IG, 9 applications within 21 days). The following outcome parameters were analysed - before, immediately after and 3 months after the serial mud baths in both groups: Health Assessment Questionnaire - HAQ, Funktionsfragebogen Hannover - FFbH, pain (visual analogue scale - VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index - WOMAC. Laboratory parameters were measured at baseline and discharge.

A significant improvement of the parameters of functional health was seen in the IG, but not in the KG. A sustained improvement of the functional parameters in the IG was seen for a period of 3 months after discharge. In addition, a significant pain relief over the observation period was achieved in the IG. In both groups, no significant changes were seen in ESR and CRP levels. In the IG, the levels of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 beta decreased significantly (p < 0.01), whereas the levels of the antiinflammatory IL-10 increased significantly (p < 0.01; first description).

Based on these results it can be postulated that serial mud baths improve parameters of functional health and have an immune-modulating effect. Therefore, mud baths - if available - should be considered in the multimodal rehabilitative treatment concept. Further studies will have to clarify how long the cytokine changes persist and whether this shift in the cytokine profile results in a chondroprotective or osteoprotective effect and whether this may contribute to an improvement in functional health. Animal experiments have already demonstrated histological evidence of antiinflammatory and chondroprotective effects after mud baths.

Harvard Citation style: Dischereit, G., Fetaj, S., Goronzy, J., Mueller-Ladner, U., Tarner, I. and Lange, U. (2017) Effects of Serial Mud Baths in Osteoarthritis on Parameters of Functional Health and Cytokines - A Controlled, Randomised, Prospective Trial, Aktuelle Rheumatologie, 42(2), pp. 129-136. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-118383

APA Citation style: Dischereit, G., Fetaj, S., Goronzy, J., Mueller-Ladner, U., Tarner, I., & Lange, U. (2017). Effects of Serial Mud Baths in Osteoarthritis on Parameters of Functional Health and Cytokines - A Controlled, Randomised, Prospective Trial. Aktuelle Rheumatologie. 42(2), 129-136. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-118383