Original scientific paper

The effectiveness of balneotherapy/hydrotherapy on functional abilities, activities and quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Vladimir KNEŽ ; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Varaždinske Toplice
Ivana BOŽIĆ KNEŽ ; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Varaždinske Toplice
Ivan KOS ; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Varaždinske Toplice
Nina KRKLEC ; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Varaždinske Toplice
Katarina LOHMAN VUGA ; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Varaždinske Toplice
Marina ANDRIĆ ; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Varaždinske Toplice
Janja LEPEN ; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Varaždinske Toplice
Tihana FUNDA ; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Varaždinske Toplice
Maja LODETA ; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju Varaždinske Toplice
Tomislav KELAVA ; Zavod za fiziologiju i imunologiju, Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu

Abstract

Balneotherapy/hydrotherapy is an essential part of the rehabilitation of patients with
inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Given that its effectiveness is often questioned, the
goal of the study was to determine the effectiveness of balneotherapy/hydrotherapy
on functional abilities, activities and quality of life of patients with rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). The clinical study included 113 RA patients, 79 women and 34 men,
who were treated in the Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation Varazdin Spa,
with the average duration of 14 days. Before and after balneotherapy/hydrotherapy,
patients completed a questionnaire assessing their health, HAQ (Health Assessment
Questionnaire) and a questionnaire on the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid
arthritis, RA-QoL (Quality of Life RA). Disease activity score DAS 28 is used to
measure the effects of the disease before and after balneotherapy/hydrotherapy. We
found a significant improvement of functional capacity in patients with RA. Average
HAQ before balneotherapy/hydrotherapy was 1.07 + / - 0.61 and 0.84 + / - 0.55,
after balneotherapy/hydrotherapy, which was significantly lower (p <0.05). DAS
28 after balneotherapy/hydrotherapy is significantly lower than the DAS 28 before balneotherapy/hydrotherapy: mean DAS 28 before balneotherapy/hydrotherapy
treatment was 6.30 + / - 0.81 and after balneotherapy/hydrotherapy 5.45 + / -
0 , 75 (p <0.01). Quality of life was significantly improved after balneotherapy/
hydrotherapy: mean QoL-RA before balneotherapy/hydrotherapy treatment was
5.38 + / - 1.62 and after balneotherapy/hydrotherapy 7.37 + / - 1.81 (p <0.05 ).
In conclusion, balneotherapy/hydrotherapy, when properly dosed, is an effective
therapy in the treatment of patients with RA. Balneotherapy/hydrotherapy has a
positive effect on disease activity, functional ability and quality of life in patients
with rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords

balneotherapy, hydrotherapy, function, disease activity, quality of life; arthritis, rheumatoid

Hrčak ID:

142808

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/142808

Publication date:

8.6.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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