None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This pilot study will be a 3x3 randomised, controlled cross-over design trial. Twenty participants with mild or moderate hip or knee osteoarthritis will be recruited from the community. Participants will complete 3 sessions: 1) 30-min whole-body hot water immersion (40°C; immersed to chest depth), 2) 30-min lower-limb hot water immersion (40°C; immersed to just above ankle depth), and 3) control (no exposure). To quantify the intensity and duration of any analgesic effect, participants will rate their joint pain using the visual analogue pain scale; this will be recorded pre-exposure, every 5-10 min during exposure, immediately post-exposure, and then at regular intervals (at home via a pain diary) across 24 hours. Our hypothesis is that both forms of immersion will lower joint pain during and after exposure, more than control (no exposure).
Interventions
All participants will complete 2 water immersion sessions and a control session (in a randomised order): 1) 30-min whole-body hot-water immersion (40°C; chest depth), 2) 30-min lower-limb hot-water immersion (40°C; below knee depth).
There will be a 4-day washout between exposures.
1. 30-min whole-body hot-water immersion (40°C)
Location: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences Aquatic Facility (University of Otago, Dunedin).
Supervision: This session will be supervised by an
All participants will complete 2 water immersion sessions and a control session (in a randomised order): 1) 30-min whole-body hot-water immersion (40°C; chest depth), 2) 30-min lower-limb hot-water immersion (40°C; below knee depth). There will be a 4-day washout between exposures. 1. 30-min whole-body hot-water immersion (40°C) Location: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences Aquatic Facility (University of Otago, Dunedin). Supervision: This session will be supervised by an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) registered clinical exercise physiologist (CEP), and the primary investigator (PI) or a research assistant; all supervising researchers are first aid trained. Attendance and session particulars (e.g., physiological indices etc.) will be recorded at each session by the supervising researcher. Exposure: Participants will complete a single 30-min hot water immersion session in 40 °C water. Participants will be seated upright with water approximately nipple level. Duration: 30 min. 2. 30-min lower-limb hot-water immersion (40°C) Location: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences Aquatic Facility (University of Otago, Dunedin). Supervision: This session will be supervised by an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) registered clinical exercise physiologist (CEP), and the PI or a research assistant; all supervising researchers are first aid trained. Attendance and session particulars (e.g., physiological indices etc.) will be recorded at each session by the supervising researcher. Exposure: Participants will complete a single 30-min hot water immersion session in 40 °C water. Participants will be seated upright with water approximately below knee level. Duration: 30 min.
Sponsors
University of Otago
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
- Has mild-moderate osteoarthritis; - Patient gives written consent; - Patient is able to travel to the study centre to complete all sessions
Exclusion criteria
- Severe osteoarthritis; - Contraindication to maximal exercise testing; - Angina; - Recent myocardial infarction (< 3 months ago); - Implanted cardiac device (i.e. implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, pacemaker etc.); - Heat intolerance; - Pregnancy; - History of large blood pressure decreases or fainting; - Any other medical condition deemed a significant risk to study participation.
Outcome results
None listed