Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Pages: 122-128

Journal: Aktuelle Rheumatologie

Volume number: 42

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0341-051X

eISSN: 1438-9940

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-116945

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag

Abstract: 
The controlled, randomised, prospective study evaluated the effects of iterative whole-body hyperthermia by mild water-filtered infrared A radiation (wIRA) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). For this purpose, 35 acute inpatients were randomised into 2 groups: 15 received standardised physical therapy (control group - KG), and 20 received additional serial whole-body hyperthermia by mild water-filtered infrared A radiation (intervention group - IG, 6 treatment sessions in total). The medication in both groups was comparable. The following outcome parameters were analysed before, immediately after and 3 months after serial wIRA therapy in the IG and at the same points in time in the KG: pain (visual analogue scale - VAS), parameters of activity and function (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index - BASDAI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Functional Index - BASFI, Health Assessment Questionnaire - HAQ, Funktionsfragebogen Hannover - FFbH), patient satisfaction, inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate - ESR, C-reactive protein - CRP), and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6). The parameters of activity and function were measured again in the IG after 6 months. Compared to the KG, the IG experienced significant pain relief over the observation period, reflected by a decrease in NSAIDs/pain medication. Only the IG experienced a significant decrease in the BASDAI and improvement of the BASFI (persistent up to 6/3 months) and the FFbH (at 3 months vs. baseline). The HAQ score showed no significant changes in either group. With ESR and CRP levels being normal, a significant decrease in ESR was seen in the IG. Furthermore, in the IG the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta decreased significantly after 3 months, whereas in the KG TNF-alpha decreased significantly after 3 months. The IL-6 levels remained stable in both groups throughout the study period. Whole-body hyperthermia by mild water-filtered infrared A radiation represents a valuable and well-tolerated physiotherapeutic tool. It can thus be regarded as a useful adjunct in the multimodal treatment concept of AS to improve medium-term treatment outcomes.

Harvard Citation style: Lange, U., Mueller-Ladner, U. and Dischereit, G. (2017) Effectiveness of Whole-Body Hyperthermia by Mild Water-Filtered Infrared A Radiation in Ankylosing Spondylitis - A Controlled, Randomised, Prospective Study, Aktuelle Rheumatologie, 42(2), pp. 122-128. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-116945

APA Citation style: Lange, U., Mueller-Ladner, U., & Dischereit, G. (2017). Effectiveness of Whole-Body Hyperthermia by Mild Water-Filtered Infrared A Radiation in Ankylosing Spondylitis - A Controlled, Randomised, Prospective Study. Aktuelle Rheumatologie. 42(2), 122-128. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-116945