Effects of complex spa therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the spine receiving treatments in health resorts in south-eastern Poland.

Management of patients with degenerative diseases commonly comprises health-resort based treatment programs, including spa therapies, balneotherapy as well as terrain therapy making use of microclimate factors. The study was designed to assess short- and long-term effects of spa therapy administered to patients with osteoarthritis of the spine who received treatment in health resorts located in Poland. The study involved 102 patients receiving treatment in health resorts, a group of subjects receiving outpatient treatment (100 patients) and a group receiving no therapy (100 patients). The assessment survey included: Pain VAS and Laitinen, LISAT-9 and HAQ-20 questionnaires. The assessments were carried out three times: at the start of the therapy program, as well as one month and six months after the end of the program. Short-term effects showed statistically significant improvement in all the outcome measures in spa group and outpatient treatment group. The long-term effects showed statistically significant improvement in all the outcome measures in spa group only. In conclusion spa therapy reduces pain, improves functional efficiency and increases the level of life satisfaction in patients with osteoarthritis of the spine. Its effects are sustained for at least six months. Spa therapy is more effective long-term, than outpatient treatment.Trial registration: The study was registered at Clinical Trials: NCT03974308. First registration: 04/06/2019.

The effect of galvanization and potassium iodide iontophoresis of the throat and larynx on thyroid parameters: a randomized controlled trial.

Few studies have assessed the application and side effects of potassium iodide (KI) iontophoresis. Using a double-blinded randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 parallel-group, we investigated the effect of galvanization and the KI iontophoresis in the throat and larynx on three thyroid parameters. A total of 50 healthy volunteers with normal TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels and lacking focal changes in the thyroid ultrasonography were subjected to 10 electrotherapy treatments. The TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels were determined prior to the 10 electrotherapeutic treatments (T1), 2-weeks after treatment (T2) and 6-months after treatment (T3). At T2 and T3, both groups had normal levels of TSH, FT3, and FT4. Regarding the change of TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels between T1 vs. T2 and T1 vs. T3, no significant differences between the galvanization and iontophoresis groups were found. However, both groups had lower levels of all three hormones at T3. Together, these data indicate that KI iontophoresis does not affect thyroid hormone levels in the short- nor long-term. Additional follow-up studies with larger groups are required to better confirm the safety of galvanization and iontophoresis procedures in the pharynx and larynx.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04013308; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov ). Day of first registration 09/07/2019.

One-Year Follow-Up of Spa Treatment in Older Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Single Group Study.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies evaluated the effects of spa therapy on pain perception and quality of life in older people with osteoarthritis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of spa therapy on quality of life and pain in patients aged 60 years and older with osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 70 patients with generalized osteoarthritis were enrolled in the study. Spa treatment lasted 3 weeks (15 days of treatment) and was applied during a session lasting 120 to 150 minutes a day. All the patients benefited from kinesiotherapy, physical agent modalities, massage, peloid therapy, hydrotherapy with mineral waters, and crenotherapy. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, the Laitinen scale, and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire were used to assess the condition of the patients. The examinations were performed three times: at the beginning of the spa treatment, after three months, and one year after the first examinations. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements were observed in pain (VAS) between consecutive assessments (p <.001). Laitinen scale also reported beneficial, statistically significant changes in the level of pain (p <.001). The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire reported a statistically significant improvement in the domain of social relations in 2-3 and 1-3 periods (p = .025 and p = .011, resp.). A significant improvement was recorded in the domain of environment between 2-3 and 1-3 periods (p <.001). CONCLUSION: Spa treatment reduced the level of pain in majority of the patients in short- and long-term follow-up and contributed to improving the quality of life in the domain of social relations and environment. To confirm the results of this study, there is a need for a randomized controlled trial comparing spa treatment with usual care in the older population with osteoarthritis. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This trial was retrospectively registered on 3 January 2018 with NCT03388801.

Immediate and long-term effects of selected physiotherapy methods in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious therapeutic problem and it considerably impairs the patients' quality of life. Despite many studies, the effectiveness of conservative treatment is still debatable. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of conservative treatment involving ultrasound therapy combined with massage and kinesiotherapy for carpal tunnel syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 61 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were assessed with regard to such symptoms as pain, numbness, tingling sensation, morning stiffness, and self-care difficulties. We used provocation tests and investigated sensory impairments, autonomic disturbances, and Lüthy's sign. Conduction in the median nerve fibres was assessed during a nerve conduction study. We performed computer-aided measurement of the hand joint range of motion and global grip strength. The tests were conducted before and on completion of a rehabilitation programme. The hands were re-examined one year later. The treatment involved ultrasound therapy, massage, and kinesiotherapy. RESULTS: The treatment outcomes confirmed the effectiveness of the therapeutic programme. Significant improvements concerning the majority of the symptoms were observed between the first and second examination as well for the entire follow-up period. We observed significant improvement in the quality of sensation, the hand range of motion and muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound therapy combined with massage and kinesiotherapy brings the expected, long-term effects in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Effect of TENS on pain relief in patients with degenerative disc disease in lumbosacral spine.

BACKGROUND: The study sought to evaluate the impact of long-term TENS therapy on pain relief in patients with degenerative disc disease in the lumbosacral spine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study involved 39 patients with lumbosacral pain who were receiving treatment in the Regional Hospital No 2 in Rzeszów and in Winsen Hospital. The experimental group consisted of 16 patients who were fitted with L-S orthoses with a built-in OmniTens plus mini-device for long-term application (3 times a day, for 20 minutes) of TENS currents with a frequency of 35 Hz and impulse duration of 150µsec. The control group consisted of 23 patients who received conventional TENS therapy once a day for 20 minutes, with a frequency of 35 Hz and impulse duration of 150 µsec. The results were assessed with the Oswestry Questionnaire, a visual analogue scale (VAS), as well as Schober's Test. Tests were performed before and on completion of the therapy. RESULTS: All participants reported pain relief and improved spinal function and mobility. Statistically significant differences were obtained in the group of patients treated with low frequency pulsed TENS currents administered via the orthosis. CONCLUSIONS: 1. TENS therapy contributed to pain relief and improvement of function and mobility of the lumbosacral spine 2. Representing an appropriate and effective technique, TENS stimulation via an orthosis should be more commonly prescribed.