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NCT Number: NCT06923969

Balneotherapy and Echocardiographic Findings in Osteoarthritis

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate changes in heart function using echocardiography before and after a standardized balneotherapy program in adult and elderly patients with osteoarthritis.

Balneotherapy is commonly used by patients with osteoarthritis, especially in older age groups, who may also have known or unrecognized cardiovascular conditions. For this reason, heart function is evaluated using transthoracic echocardiography prior to the start of balneotherapy and again after completion of the treatment program.

The study focuses on changes in echocardiographic parameters related to left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. By comparing measurements obtained before and after balneotherapy, this study seeks to improve understanding of the potential effects of balneotherapy on cardiac function in patients with osteoarthritis.

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Key information

Conditions

Osteoarthritis Arthritis Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Rheumatic Diseases

Age range

40 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Bursa Military Hospital, 1. Murat Caddesi Osmangazi

Bursa, Nilüfer, 16300, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Balneotherapy is frequently preferred by adult and elderly patients with osteoarthritis as part of rehabilitation programs. This population may have a higher prevalence of overt or subclinical cardiovascular disease; therefore, cardiovascular evaluation before and after balneotherapy may be clinically relevant.

In this prospective observational study, patients with osteoarthritis who are scheduled to undergo a standardized balneotherapy program are evaluated using transthoracic echocardiography prior to treatment initiation and again after completion of the program. Echocardiographic examinations are performed to assess parameters related to left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, as well as aortic hemodynamics.

The balneotherapy program consists of head-out immersion in thermal pools with acratothermal water at a temperature of approximately 38 °C, applied for 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week, over a 15-day period. Echocardiographic measurements obtained before and after the intervention are compared to evaluate potential changes in cardiac function associated with balneotherapy.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

s:

  • Having balneotherapy sessions 5 days a week for total of three weeks
  • Having detailed echocardiography records

Exclusion criteria

s:

  • Having history of major surgery,
  • cerebrovascular accident,
  • malignancy,
  • liver or renal failure,
  • immunodeficiency,
  • acute/chronic infection,
  • psychiatric disorders were exluded.

Treatment and study plan

balneotherapy

Other

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in mitral peak E wave velocity

    Time frame: Baseline (before balneotherapy) and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program

    Change in mitral peak early diastolic (E) wave velocity measured by transthoracic echocardiography.

  2. Change in mitral E/A ratio

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program

    Change in the ratio of early (E) to late (A) diastolic transmitral flow velocities assessed by transthoracic echocardiography.

  3. Change in E/E' ratio

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program

    Change in the ratio of early transmitral flow velocity (E) to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E') measured by tissue Doppler imaging.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in left ventricular ejection fraction

    Time frame: Baseline (before balneotherapy) and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program

    Change in left ventricular ejection fraction assessed by transthoracic echocardiography.

  2. Change in mean aortic gradient

    Time frame: Baseline (before balneotherapy) and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program

    Change in mean transaortic pressure gradient measured by continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography.

  3. Change in maximum aortic gradient

    Time frame: Baseline (before balneotherapy) and immediately after completion of the 15-day balneotherapy program

    Change in maximum transaortic pressure gradient measured by continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bursa City Hospital

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Balneotherapy on Echocardiographic Parameters in Adults and Elderly Patients With Osteoarthritis

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Apr 11, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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