Balneotherapy for sleep improvement and reducing depression in knee osteoarthritis patients

Anca Paula CIURBA, Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaFollow
Alexandru Bogdan ILIEȘ, Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaFollow
Ionel HAIDU, Department of Geography, Laboratory LOTERR-EA 7304, University of Lorraine, Metz, FranceFollow
Doriana Ioana CIOBANU, Department of Physical Education, Sport and Physiotherapy, Human Performance Research Center, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaFollow
Theodora URSU, Department of Physical Education, Sport and Physiotherapy, Human Performance Research Center, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
Florin Mihai MARCU, Department of Psychoneuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaFollow
Dorina IANC, Department of Physical Education, Sport and Physiotherapy, Human Performance Research Center, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaFollow

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition and a leading cause of global disability, often associated with pain, depression, and sleep disturbances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of warm mineral water combined with physical therapy on sleep quality, depression and pain intensity in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: The study involved 101 subjects (68.78±6.92 years) who were assigned to a control group (CG) or an experimental group (EG). All subjects benefited from physical therapy and electrotherapy for 10 days. The experimental group additionally benefited from therapy with hot mineral water. Sleep quality, depression level, pain intensity, severity index of knee osteoarthritis, functional status of the knee joint and daytime sleepiness were assessed. Results: Significant differences were found between groups, with small effect sizes, regarding the VAS score (p = .000); η²p = .460), LIKO (p = .000; η²p = 0.453), LKSS (p = 0,007, η²p = 0.313), PSQI (p = 0,035, η²p = .560), and BDI (p = 0.012, η²p = 0.106). Conclusions: This study showed that combining physical therapy and electrotherapy improves sleep, knee function, pain, and depression in knee osteoarthritis patients. Adding balneotherapy with warm mineral water led to even better outcomes, supporting its use as an effective supplement to standard treatment for enhancing both physical and mental well-being.

Recommended Citation

Ciurba AP, Ilies AB, Haidu I, Ciobanu DI, Ursu T, Marcu FM, Ianc D. Balneotherapy for sleep improvement and reducing depression in knee osteoarthritis patients. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2026;18(1):Article9. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.18.1.09