Long-term benefit of radon spa therapy in the rehabilitation of rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised, double-blinded trial.
This study investigates the effects of radon (plus CO2) baths on RA in contrast to artificial CO2 baths in RA rehabilitation using a double-blinded trial enrolling 134 randomised patients of an in-patient rehabilitative programme (further 73 consecutive non-randomised patients are not reported here). The outcomes were limitations in occupational context/daily living (main outcome), pain, medication and further quantities. These were measured before the start, after the end of treatment and quarterly in the year thereafter. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance (RM-ANCOVA) of the intent-to-treat population was performed with group main effects (GME) and group x course interactions (G x C) reported. Hierarchically ordered hypotheses ensured the adherence of the nominal significance level. The superiority of the radon treatment was found regarding the main outcome (RM-ANCOVA until 12 months: p(GME) = 0.15, p(G x C) = 0.033). Consumption of steroids (p(GME) = 0.064, p(G x C) = 0.025) and NSAIDs (p(GME) = 0.035, p(G x C) = 0.008) were significantly reduced. The results suggest beneficial long-term effects of radon baths as adjunct to a multimodal rehabilitative treatment of RA.
Franke
Annegret
A
FBK Spa Medicine Research Institute, Lindenstr.5, 08645 Bad Elster, Germany. annegret.franke@medizinische-statistik.de
Reiner
Lothar
L
Resch
Karl-Ludwig
KL
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001452:Balneology / Q000379:methods*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004603:Elements, Radioactive / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008900:Mineral Waters / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011886:Radon / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004603:Elements, Radioactive; D008900:Mineral Waters; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D011886:Radon