Deuil La Barre

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of the Enghien-les-Bains thermal spa treatment in improving pain and functional disability in patients aged 50 to 80 years with knee osteoarthritis. The study focuses on patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 to 4) and noticeable functional impairment, assessing whether this spa treatment leads to meaningful improvements compared to standard care. The main goal is to see if patients experience a minimal clinically important improvement in pain and function at 6 months after treatment. Participants receive a standardized thermal spa treatment over 20 days, which includes at least four spa sessions daily for six days a week over three weeks. Treatments involve whirlpool baths, mud poultice applications, overall jet showers, and underwater massages using thermal water with specific mineral content. Alongside the spa therapy, participants continue their usual medical care for knee osteoarthritis, such as medications and physiotherapy. The study also includes an indirect comparison with patients receiving standard care without spa treatment from a previous trial. During the study, participants have three medical visits: before the spa treatment, at the end of the treatment, and six months after treatment starts. At these visits, researchers collect questionnaires about pain, function, and quality of life, and perform clinical assessments. Additional patient feedback is gathered at three months, and a qualitative study explores participants' experiences and perceptions of the spa treatment. The primary measurement is the improvement in pain and function at six months, with safety and treatment adherence closely monitored throughout the study.