Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Pages: 310-316

Journal: Aktuelle Rheumatologie

Volume number: 39

Issue number: 5

ISSN: 0341-051X

eISSN: 1438-9940

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1383589

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag

Abstract: 
This controlled, randomised and prospective study evaluated the effects of whole-body hyperthermia by mild water-filtered infrared A radiation (wIRAS) in patients with psoriatic arthritis. For this purpose, 35 acute inpatients were randomized into 2 groups: 15 received a standardised physical therapy (control group - KG), and 20 received additional serial whole-body hyperthermia by mild water-filtered infrared A radiation (intervention group - IG). The medication in both groups was comparable. The following outcome parameters were analysed before, immediately after and 3 months after the serial wIRAS therapy in the IG and at a temporally analogous point in the KG: pain (visual analogue scale - VAS), parameters of activity and function (Disease Activity Score 28 - DAS28, Health Assessment Questionnaire - HAQ, Funktionsfragebogen Hannover - FFbH, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index - PASI), inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate - ESR, C-reactive protein - CRP), and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 beta). In the IG, VAS, HAQ, and DAS28 were measured also after 6 months. Compared to the KG the IG presented a significant pain relief over the observation period, reflected by a decrease in pain medication. Only the IG showed a significant decrease in the DAS28 (persistent up to 6 months) and the FFbH (partially persistent after 3 months). The HAQ was improved significantly in both groups (persistent up to 6 months only in the IG). Furthermore, in the IG the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta remained stable, matching the clinical course without exacerbation. The KG showed a significant decrease of TNF-alpha levels immediately, followed by a significant increase. IL-1 levels remained primarily stable, then increased significantly after 3 months, but without any clinical correlate. No changes were seen in ESR, CRP and PASI values in both groups. 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 therapy concept for APS and to improves the medium-term treatment outcomes.

Harvard Citation style: Lange, U., Schwab, F., Mueller-Ladner, U. and Dischereit, G. (2014) Effectiveness of Whole-body Hyperthermia by Mild Water-filtered Infrared A Radiation in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Controlled, Randomised, Prospective Trial, Aktuelle Rheumatologie, 39(5), pp. 310-316. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1383589

APA Citation style: Lange, U., Schwab, F., Mueller-Ladner, U., & Dischereit, G. (2014). Effectiveness of Whole-body Hyperthermia by Mild Water-filtered Infrared A Radiation in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Controlled, Randomised, Prospective Trial. Aktuelle Rheumatologie. 39(5), 310-316. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1383589