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Spa Therapy in Knee Osteoarthritis (OA): Nancy-thermal

Comparison of 2 Spa Therapy Protocols in Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis : a Randomised Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01544647
Acronym
Nancythermal
Enrollment
283
Registered
2012-03-06
Start date
2012-02-29
Completion date
2014-01-31
Last updated
2014-08-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis

Keywords

Knee osteoarthritis, spa therapy, spa modalities

Brief summary

Non-pharmacological treatments are recommended for the management of knee osteoarthritis (EULAR or OARSI recommendations) and some thermal modalities may be effective for relieving symptoms in knee Osteoarthritis. However supporting evidence is limited and nothing is known about the advantage of one modality of thermal therapy over another. The main objective of the study is to compare the number of patients achieving a composite response criteria associating the minimal clinically important improvement at 6 months, defined as ≥ 19.9 mm on the visual analogue pain scale and/or ≥ 9.1 points in a normalised Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index function score and no knee surgery in 2 spa therapy protocols (a usual protocol and an active protocol) in knee osteoarthritis. The secondary objectives are: 1. To compare the efficacy of the 2 protocols at 3 months. 2. To determine the evolution of quality of life and medical care consumption 3. To describe postural abnormalities 4. To determine predictive factors to a favourable response at 3 and 6 months

Detailed description

This is a monocentric randomised non inferiority trial comparing 2 spa therapy protocols in symptomatic knee OA. In the first group, 4 treatments (massages, showers, mud and pool sessions) are provided 6 days a week during 3 weeks. In the second group, the same 4 treatments are provided 3 days a week during 3 weeks then patients will follow an exercise program 3 days a week during 3 week. Data will be collected at inclusion, 3 and 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months.

Interventions

OTHERUsual spa protocol

In the first group, 4 treatments (massages, showers, mud and pool sessions) are provided 6 days a week during 3 weeks.

OTHERActive spa protocol

4 treatments (massages, showers, mud and pool sessions) are provided 3 days a week during 3 weeks then patients will follow an exercise program 3 days a week during 3 week.

Sponsors

Central Hospital, Nancy, France
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

are: * both gender * uni or bilateral symptomatic knee OA * pain VAS \> 3 on a 0-10 scale) * fulfilling ACR criteria for knee OA * Kellgren and Lawrence stage 2 or over on standard radiograph Non inclusion criteria are: * severe comorbidity * isolated femoro-patellar knee OA * total knee replacement surgery expected during the next year * other joint disease * a contraindication or intolerance to any aspect of spa treatment (immune deficiency, evolving cardiovascular conditions, cancer, infection), * spa treatment within the previous 12 months * knee injection within the past month for corticosteroids and within the past 3 months for hyaluronic acids * osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) change in the past 3 months * massages, physiotherapy or acupuncture in the past month * Patients will not be allowed to modify their non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) or their analgesic drug within the past 5 days and in the previous 12 h respectively.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Composite response criteria: achievement of the minimal clinically important improvement of pain VAS and/or the WOMAC score and no knee surgery6 monthsThe main outcome endpoint is the number of patients achieving minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) at 6 months, defined as ≥19.9 mm on the visual analogue pain scale and/or ≥9.1 points in a normalised Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index function score and no knee surgery.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Achievement of the patient acceptable symptom state3 and 6 months
evolution of quality of life scores3 and 6 months
medical care consumption3 and 6 monthsparticularly NSAIDs, pain killers
postural abnormalities3 and 6 monthsThe method used aimed at evaluating two modalities of postural regulation - quiet stance and during movement - and their related neurosensory organization. Postural control during quiet stance will be evaluated with and without sensory conflict by a static posturographic test and by a sensory organization test; postural control during movement will be evaluated by a dynamic posturographic test with slow sinusoidal oscillations.
adverse events3 and 6 months

Countries

France

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026