title: [Spa therapy in osteoarthritis: experience in Cervia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mud-bath treatment has a relevant therapeutic activity in reducing symptoms and disabilities in rheumatic diseases, as studies on inflammation process and clinical symptomatology have shown. Objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of mud therapy by natural limans of Cervia on clinical parameters in patients with lumbar spine osteoarthrosis (OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  30 patients (20 females and 10 males) suffering from lumbar OA, diagnosed by clinical symptoms and X-Ray findings (osteophytosis, morphological changes of vertrebral somes, tightness of intervertebral spaces, alterated lumbar physiologic lordosis) were studied. All patients were examined first when recruited (T0) and after two weeks of therapy (T1). Interviews were submitted in order to estimate functional restrictions and pain. Statistical analysis was performed via t test for paired data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the basis of the statistical analysis a very significant difference was demonstrated between the average values of the tests before and after the treatment. These results confirm the improvement of the symptoms concerning the pain, the articular functionality and the quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study demonstrate the efficacy of the mud-bath treatment with natural limans of Cervia on the patients affected by lumbar spine osteoarthrosis (OA).
authors.affiliation: UOC Medicina Interna E, Terapia Medica e Medicina Termale, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mennuni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Franco
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petraccia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bietta
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lucchetta
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Malkowski
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zingarini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nocchi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scarno
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tanzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valesini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fraioli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001452:Balneology; D005260:Female; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008900:Mineral Waters / Q000032:analysis; D009094:Mud Therapy; D055013:Osteoarthritis, Spine / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D008900:Mineral Waters