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Long-term benefit of radon spa therapy in the rehabilitation of rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised, double-blinded trial

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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.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Prof. Hans-Egbert Schröder MD from the University Hospital, Dresden and Brigitte Vulpe MD, Head Physician of the Bad Brambach Hospital for their suggestions in the planning stage and support during the study, Renate Zahn for excellently organising the follow-up, Anna-Maria Wunderlich for data entry and management and the therapists of the rehabilitation hospital ‘Klinik Bad Brambach’ for their valuable contributions to the study. Furthermore, we appreciate the critical review of the manuscript by Prof. Dietrich Harder, especially regarding the molecular and cellular modes of action of alpha radiation. We are also indebted to the participating patients and associated health-care and pension bodies AOK of Saxony, LVA and BEK. Without their support, the study would have never had been realised.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FBK Spa Medicine Research Institute, Lindenstr.5, 08645, Bad Elster, Germany

    Annegret Franke & Karl-Ludwig Resch

  2. In-patient rehabilitation hospital (Dr. Ebel Fachklinik), Chr.-Schüller-Str.10, 08648, Bad Brambach, Germany

    Lothar Reiner

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  1. Annegret Franke
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  3. Karl-Ludwig Resch
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Correspondence to Annegret Franke.

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Franke, A., Reiner, L. & Resch, KL. Long-term benefit of radon spa therapy in the rehabilitation of rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised, double-blinded trial. Rheumatol Int 27, 703–713 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-006-0293-2

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