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- Title
Long-term benefit of radon spa therapy in the rehabilitation of rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised, double-blinded trial.
- Authors
Franke, Annegret; Reiner, Lothar; Resch, Karl-Ludwig
- Abstract
This study investigates the effects of radon (plus CO2) baths on RA in contrast to artificial CO2 baths in RA rehabilitation using a double-blinded trial enrolling 134 randomised patients of an in-patient rehabilitative programme (further 73 consecutive non-randomised patients are not reported here). The outcomes were limitations in occupational context/daily living (main outcome), pain, medication and further quantities. These were measured before the start, after the end of treatment and quarterly in the year thereafter. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance (RM-ANCOVA) of the intent-to-treat population was performed with group main effects (GME) and group × course interactions (G × C) reported. Hierarchically ordered hypotheses ensured the adherence of the nominal significance level. The superiority of the radon treatment was found regarding the main outcome (RM-ANCOVA until 12 months: p GME = 0.15, p GxC = 0.033). Consumption of steroids ( p GME = 0.064, p G × C = 0.025) and NSAIDs ( p GME = 0.035, p G × C = 0.008) were significantly reduced. The results suggest beneficial long-term effects of radon baths as adjunct to a multimodal rehabilitative treatment of RA.
- Subjects
THERAPEUTIC use of radon; RADON baths; RHEUMATOID arthritis; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; HEALTH outcome assessment; PATIENTS
- Publication
Rheumatology International, 2007, Vol 27, Issue 8, p703
- ISSN
0172-8172
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00296-006-0293-2