The Effects of Peloid and Balneotherapy on Arthritis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Over the decades, the prevalence of arthritis in the United States has skyrocketed. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States. According to the National Arthritis Data Workgroup, more than 22% of American adults (which is equivalent to over 52.5 million people) suffer from arthritis or a rheumatic condition. Of those diagnosed with arthritis, 7.3% of people are aged 18-44, 30.3% are 45-64 years old, and 49.7% are over the age of 65. Women are also more prone to developing this disease than men; 26% of women have been diagnosed with arthritis whereas 19.1% of men have been diagnosed with arthritis. Researchers estimated that by 2030, the number of people who will be diagnosed with arthritis will increase to 67 million. There are three most common types of arthritis, two of which will be the focus of this systematic literature review, these include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is characterized by degeneration of cartilage as well as bony overgrowth while rheumatoid arthritis, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease affecting the joints of the body. Peloid and balneotherapy dates to the ancient past. Humans searching for healing remedies in the surrounding nature, discovered the healing effects of heat, cold and radiation solar and mineral waters. Instinct and observation of the world paved the way for natural but effective ways to treat pain. This literature review will be focused on the effects of peloid and balneotherapy on reducing the symptoms of arthritis and thus improving quality of life. Purpose: The purpose of this targeted systematic literature review is to examine the relationship between the treatment of peloid and balneotherapy on patients with arthritis in reducing pain, arthritic symptoms and increasing their quality of life. Methodology: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Science Direct databases. The search terms included balneotherapy, peloid therapy, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, quality of life, rehabilitation, physical activity, and pain management. Inclusion criteria: 18-65 years, published within the last 10 years, interventions related to peloid and balneotherapy, or both. An evidence level of 2b or higher was required for the inclusion criteria. Exclusion criteria includes not evaluating interventions of interest and therapeutic interventions for arthritis which are not peloid or balneotherapy related. A total of five articles (n = 5) were included in this systematic literature review. The original search criteria yielded 61 research articles related to the topic, which were then screened with the inclusion criteria with a remaining of five articles which were utilized in this review. Results: A systematic literature review of five studies was performed. Five clinical studies measured the effectiveness of balneotherapy and/or peloid therapy and there was significant difference between the groups in WOMAC pain, stiffness, and function scores and in the VAS. Discussion: This review indicates that balneotherapy and peloid therapy were effective in reducing pain, stiffness, improving function as assessed by the WOMAC and VAS scores.