title: A pilot study to evaluate the effects of floatation spa treatment on patients with osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a preliminary investigation of the effects on floatation spa therapy on quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis to see if controlled trials are warranted.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uncontrolled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private floatation spa therapy centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients with chronic osteoarthritis of the weight-bearing joints, of whom four dropped out.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six weekly sessions of floatation spa therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  SF36, AIMS2 and MYMOP quality-of-life questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients improved. Differences between baseline and discharge scores showed statistically significant improvement for MYMOP, but not AIMS2 or SF-36.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Controlled trials of floatation spa therapy for patients with osteoarthritis are warranted.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Eckett
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Harkness
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001452:Balneology; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life