title: May spa therapy be a valid opportunity to treat hand osteoarthritis? A review of clinical trials and mechanisms of action.
abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and its current treatment includes non-pharmacological and pharmacological modalities. Spa therapy represents a popular treatment for many rheumatic diseases. The aim of this review was to summarize the currently available information on clinical effects and mechanisms of action of spa therapy in OA of the hand. We conducted a search of the literature to extract articles describing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in hand OA published in the period 1952-2015. We identified three assessable articles reporting RCTs on spa therapy in hand OA. Data from these clinical trials support a beneficial effect of spa therapy on pain, function and quality of life in hand OA. Spa therapy seems to have a role in the treatment of hand OA. However, additional RCTs are necessary to clarify the mechanisms of action and the effects of the application of thermal treatments.
authors.affiliation: Spa Centre of Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort, San Casciano Terme, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola Angelo
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Fortunati
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fioravanti
authors.affiliation: Spa Centre of Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort, San Casciano Terme, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Seri
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cinelli
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Policlinico "Le Scotte", Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy. sara_tenti@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tenti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001452:Balneology; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
keywords: Balneotherapy; Hand osteoarthritis; Mud-pack therapy; Randomized controlled trials; Spa therapy