Balneotherapy and Peloid Therapy Impact Small Joint Diseases

The Heel-Rise Test is a functional assessment used to evaluate the strength and endurance of the calf muscles, particularly the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. During the test, the participant is asked to perform repeated heel rises while standing on one foot until they can no longer continue or until they reach a predetermined maximum number of repetitions. This test provides valuable information on muscle performance, which is critical for patients with degenerative small joints disease affecting the lower extremities. The outcome is measured by the number of heel rises completed and the quality of movement, including balance and control.

The manometer will measure the finger compression force. This device will assess: first-second (I-II) finger grip strength, first-second-third (I-II-III) finger grip strength and grip strength. Evaluation units - kilograms (kg) Between muscle contraction measurements, a 30 s rest was applied in the bus to avoid the influence of muscle fatigue. The subjects will be evaluated with a manometer at each visit. Duration 3-5 min.

Hand grip muscle strength will be measured with a dynamometer. The dynamometer is held in the elbow-bent arm, away from the body. When evaluating with a dynamometer, the subject is seated, the shoulders are in a neutral position, the elbow is bent at an angle of 90°, the forearms are placed on the table, and the elbow deviation of the wrist is 0-15°. The device is pressed with maximum force, performing a single-hand pressing movement. The device is pressed with one hand and then with the other hand. The average of three clicks with the left and right hands is evaluated. The units of assessment are kilograms (kg). A 30 s rest will be applied between muscle contraction measurements to avoid the influence of muscle fatigue. A dynamometer will be used to assess subjects at each visit. Duration 5 min.

Hand Mobility Test in Scleroderma (HAMIS) to assess osteoarthritis. The continuum consists of nine tasks that assess finger, thumb, and wrist mobility, with each task rated from 0 (no impairment) to 3 (cannot perform), resulting in a total possible score of 27 per hand. Standardised cylinders will assess finger flexion, finger extension and thumb adduction. The total score will be calculated as the average of the two hands (range 0-27). Finger and thumb mobility component scores will be calculated by summing the respective subscores: finger flexion, extension and abduction (range 0-9) for finger mobility, thumb adduction and pincer grasp (0-6) for thumb mobility. Duration 5-7 min.

The finger-to-palm distance (FTP) will be measured. This measurement is important in assessing the mobility of the fingers and the possible limitation of movement due to various medical conditions such as osteoarthritis. Finger extension and flexion (maximal finger flexion and extension in all three finger joints: MKF, PIF and DIF) are measured.

Based on anatomical landmarks, a Modified Kapandji (MKI) evaluation index will be performed, especially thumb opposition and finger flexion and extension movements. It allows you to assess the mobility of the fingers and thumb, giving a total score from 0 to 50, where lower scores indicate greater limitation of movement in one hand. The total score is obtained by summing the scores of the three items. Anatomical landmarks and scores are listed in Protocol Appendix No. 1. The total score will be calculated as the average of the two arms (range 0-50). Finger and thumb mobility components will be scored using the corresponding subscores: 2-5 finger flexion and extension (range 0-40) for finger mobility and thumb apposition (range 0-10) for thumb mobility. Duration 2-3 min. The test is performed at each visit.

Strength of extensor and flexor muscles of the foot. The test uses a hand-held dynamometer. Strength is measured in kilograms. Force will be measured three times for each side, and the results will be averaged

The goniometer will measure the amplitudes during active movement: foot plantarflexion (bending), foot dorsiflexion (extension), and MTF dorsiflexion. The measurements will be repeated three times. The arithmetic mean is calculated after adding up all the results obtained during one measurement. The duration of the study is 5 minutes

The maximum number of chair stand repetitions possible in a 30 second period

The time (in seconds) it takes to ascend and descend a flight of stairs

A fast-paced walking test that is timed over 4 x 10m (33 ft) for a total 40 m (132 ft)

This exercise is performed with eyes open and hands on hips. The subject stands on one leg without assistance; time starts when the opposite foot leaves the ground. Time stops immediately when the opposite foot touches the ground and/or when the hands leave the hips. It is repeated three times with both legs, and the average is evaluated. The duration is three minutes.

Patients' pain and stiffness will be assessed using a visual analogue (VAS) scale. Pain on squeezing MTF and MCF joints. VAS every day before procedures.

Cytokines (IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF alpha) and biochemical markers of cartilage (thrombospondin-5/COMP (Human Thrombospondin-5/COMP), aggrecan (PG)) will be performed using a standardised ELISA (English enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) methodology.

MOxFQ measures foot pain, foot function and general foot health. The MOXFQ has three domains related to foot health: walking/standing problems (seven items), pain (five items), and problems with social relationships (four items). Duration: 5-10 minutes. The questionnaire has a Lithuanian version. Permission/license obtained for use.

FAOS was designed to assess the patient's perception of their foot or ankle condition. The questionnaire consists of 5 subscales: pain, other symptoms, performance of daily activities tasks, function in sports and recreation, and ankle/foot-related quality of life questions. The subject answers the questions by describing the last week. Permission/license was obtained to prepare and use the Lithuanian version.

SF-36 will be evaluated, which consists of 36 questions reflecting eight domains of life: physical activity, activity limitation due to physical ailments and emotional disturbances, social connections, emotional state, vigour/vitality, pain, and general health assessment. Each part is scored from 0 to 100 using a calculation algorithm. The higher the number, the better the quality of life. The questionnaire will be assessed at each visit. Duration: 10-15 minutes. The questionnaire was validated in Lithuanian in 2005. Cronbach alpha of Rugienė and co-authors=0.79-0.85. Permission received

FIHOA is a questionnaire designed to self-assess hand function in daily activities. Consists of 10 parts related to the function of the hands in daily activities. Each item is rated with four points on the Linkert scale. The subject rates his level of function from 0 (difficult) to 3 (impossible). Scores for each domain are cumulative: a higher score indicates more difficulty in performing daily activities. A total score of 0 indicates good performance, and 30 indicates poor hand activity. Duration about 3 minutes. Assessed at each visit. The author translated the questionnaire into Lithuanian. Freely available, no permission required, authors notified of study. Access: http://fihoa.net.

The Michigan Questionnaire will assess the subject's independence and hand function. This questionnaire consists of 6 scales: general hand function, activity in daily activities, pain, work performance, aesthetic image of the hand, and opinion of the subject about his hand function. The subject evaluates the performance of each activity with points: the lowest (worst function) - 1 point, the highest (ideal function) - 5 points. The questionnaire consists of 72 questions. The authors' written consent was obtained. The questionnaire will be translated according to the standard methodology, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient will be checked.

Ultrasound examination of the hand joints will be performed based on the EULAR/OMERACT recommendations and according to Mario Giulini's protocol (D'Agostino et al., 2017; Giulini et al., 2023; Hammer et al., 2016). Ultrasound images of 26 joints of both hands will be evaluated. Synovitis, fluid, and osteophytes will be assessed. An ultrasound examination will be performed at each visit. Ultrasound images with initials are saved on the media.

Ultrasound examination of the foot joints will be performed based on EULAR/OMERACT recommendations (G. A. Bruyn et al., 2019; G. A. W. Bruyn et al., 2019; Zabotti et al., 2019). Ultrasound examination will be an assessment in standard positions. 7 joints of both feet will be evaluated. Synovitis, fluid, and osteophytes will be assessed. An ultrasound examination will be performed at each visit. Ultrasound images with initials are saved on the media.

The researcher will prepare a questionnaire on socio-demographic and anamnestic data, which will be evaluated (e.g., the degree of osteoarthritis, use of other drugs, co-morbidities, trauma and/or surgery in the past, use of physical factors in the hands and feet in the past.

Radiographs of the hands and feet will be evaluated (the test will already be performed on the subjects before they are included in the biomedical study). X-rays - images with initials and numbers are recorded on the medium.

height and weight will be measured and body mass index will be calculated