The Impact of Mineral Water Balneotherapy on Pain and Physical Function in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-week rehabilitation program consisting of electrotherapy, physical therapy, and balneotherapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA); (2) Methods: A total of 98 patients were enrolled in the study and assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The primary outcome measures were pain intensity and knee function scores, while secondary outcomes included functional tests such as the 30s chair stand test, stair climbing test, and 40-meter walk test; (3) Results: Results showed significant improvements in pain intensity, knee function scores, and the 30s chair stand test in both groups. However, the experimental group showed more significant improvement in the 40-meter walk test than the control group. Linear Model ANOVA test showed that after the 2-week treatment, participants receiving balneotherapy showed significant progress compared to the control group in pain intensity, knee function scores, and walking test. The results for the stair climbing test did not differ significantly between the two groups, but it improved in both; (4) Conclusions: Study findings suggest that a rehabilitation program consisting of electrotherapy, physical therapy, and balneotherapy can show significant improvement in regards to pain and function in patients with KOA.