A pilot study to evaluate the effects of floatation spa treatment on patients with osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a preliminary investigation of the effects on floatation spa therapy on quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis to see if controlled trials are warranted.

Design: Uncontrolled clinical trial.

Setting: Private floatation spa therapy centre.

Patients: Fourteen patients with chronic osteoarthritis of the weight-bearing joints, of whom four dropped out.

Intervention: Six weekly sessions of floatation spa therapy.

Outcome measures: SF36, AIMS2 and MYMOP quality-of-life questionnaires.

Main results: All patients improved. Differences between baseline and discharge scores showed statistically significant improvement for MYMOP, but not AIMS2 or SF-36.

Conclusions: Controlled trials of floatation spa therapy for patients with osteoarthritis are warranted.