Efficiency of balneotherapy with highly mineralized sodium chloride water in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

AIM. To study the effectiveness of including baths with natural mineral sodium chloride water in a complex of sanatorium-resort treatment on the dynamics of pain syndrome in people with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS. In the conditions of Sanatorium Chuvashiyakurort, 59 people received sanatorium-resort treatment: 1st (main group, 35 people), in which, in addition to the standard program of sanatorium-resort treatment, they received a course of mineral baths with natural sodium chloride water; in the 2nd group (comparison group, 24 people) they received physical therapy, dry carbon-dioxide baths, enteral oxygentherapy, halotherapy; massage, consultations with a psychologist. The examination included an assessment of pain using validated scales, a visual analogue scale (VAS), an assessment of joint function, the severity of anxiety and depression, and quality of life parameters. RESULTS. Upon admission to the sanatorium, patients complained of pain in the knee joint when moving (average VAS value 61.5±5.6 mm). The average score on the Lequene scale was 6.25±0.8 points. In the dynamics, a decrease in pain during movement was revealed: in patients of group 1 by the 10th day by 39% according to VAS from the initial level (p0.05), by the 21st – by 60% (p0.05), in patients of the control group - by 21% (p0.05) and 44%, respectively. CONCLUSION. The use of mineral baths improved indicators of psycho-emotional state: by the 21st day of treatment in group 1, signs of depression were leveled out in 51% of women and in 69% of men, the level of anxiety normalized in 60% of patients (p0.05). In group 2, anxiety levels decreased in more than half of the patients, and depression levels decreased in 30% of patients. On the scale of physical functioning, an improvement was noted by 40% (p0.05), in general health – by 35% (p0.05). The greatest changes were noted on the scales of emotional-role functioning and mental health.