The effects of combined physiotherapy-spa treatment on symptoms, spinal mobility and functions in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTİVE: To evaluate the effects of combined physiotherapy-spa treatment on symptoms, spinal mobility and functions in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)METHODS: İn this study which was planned as quasi-experimental, we utilized from medical records of the patients who came from Norway to Balçova Thermal Treatment Center between the years of 2006-2008. From the medical records of the 207 patients, the pain intensity (Visuel analog scale:VAS), morning stiffness (duration), fatique (VAS), tragus-wall distance (cm), right-left cervical rotations (cm), right and left lumbal lateral flexion (cm), modified schober (cm), intermalleoler distance (cm), thoracal expansion (cm), function (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Index-BASFI) were compared before and after the treatment. Paired group t test was used for the statistical analysis.RESULTS: Mean age of the patients who included the study was found as 47.5 (±10.3), and median age was found 49 (Minimum 21-Maximum 67).The mean of the all values belong to the symptoms (pain, morning stiffness, fatique), spinal mobility (targus-wall distance, right and left cervical rotations, modified schober, right and left lumbal lateral flexion, intermalleolar distance, thoracal expansion) and functions between before and after treatment were found statistically significant.CONCLUSION: Short term ( 4 weeks) combined physiotherapy-spa treatment applicated on patients with AS, was effective on improvement on symptoms, spinal mobility and functions changings and statistically significant we obtained as to the values of all these parameters.KEY WORDS: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Combined Physiotherapy-Spa, Symptoms, Spinal Mobility, Functions