Topical analgesic added to paraffin enhances paraffin bath treatment of individuals with hand osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare treating patients with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis (OA) with paraffin baths only (PO) (100% wax) or paraffin baths 80% wax with 20% topical analgesic (PTA).


METHODS
Subjects met criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for classifying symptomatic hand OA and had a Dreiser's index score >5 points. Current and average pain at rest and with movement was assessed with visual analogue scales. Hand function was assessed by the functional index for hand OA (FIHOA).


RESULTS
Both groups had a significant reduction in their 'current' pain 15 min after the first and twelfth treatments compared to pre-treatment but there was no difference between groups (t = 0.10, p > 0.05). The PTA group had greater improvement over the 12 treatment sessions for their pain at rest (t = 2.92, p < 0.05) and with movement (t = 4.73, p < 0.05) than the PO group. The PTA group also showed greater improvement in their FIHOA following 12 treatments than the PO group (t = 3.52, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that the addition of a topical analgesic to paraffin produced significantly greater pain relief at rest and during movement than paraffin baths alone after 12 treatments. Additionally, the PTA group experienced greater improved hand function.
Myrer
Joseph William
JW
Department of Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA. bill_myrer@byu.edu
Johnson
Aaron Wayne
AW
Mitchell
Ulrike H
UH
Measom
Gary J
GJ
Fellingham
Gilbert W
GW
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008610:Menthol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010232:Paraffin; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010938:Plant Oils; C558590:jointritis; D008610:Menthol; D010232:Paraffin