Siwan traditional program versus traditional physical therapy in treatment of rheumatic patients / Nashwa Mohamed Alaa Eldin Allam ; Supervised Alaa Eldin Abdelhakim Balbaa , Hassan Ahmed Elshahat Khater , Ghada Mohamed Rashad

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease affects 0.5 - 1% of the adult population of developed regions which characterized by a chronic symmetrical polyarthritis of large and small joints, and by morning stiffness, which can lead to musculoskeletal impairment, and functional disabilities. Among the strategies of non-pharmacological treatment of RA are physical exercises that address the development of range of movement, functional, cardiovascular capacity and muscular strength stand out generally .There is a growing interest in treatments involving natural means and procedures, alternative to those of conventional medicine. Some special sands are being used worldwide in therapeutic applications especially in musculoskeletal problems. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare between the effects of Siwan traditional therapy and traditional physical therapy in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, secondary purpose of this study was to compare composition of sand in burial area versus non burial area in Siwa, Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with rheumatoid arthritis (30 to 50 years old) according to the American Rheumatism Association criteria (2010) participated in the study. The patients were assigned into 2 equal groups. Group (A) received Siwan traditional physical therapy in form of sand bathing, followed by massage with olive oil only in last session for 7 days and group (B) received traditional physical therapy for one month 2 session per week in the form of hot application, TENS, and exercise. Pain severity measured by visual analogue scale, functional disability measured by health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), CRP and ESR were measured by blood analysis, and sand analysis by MS Electron microscope. Results: There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in pain level and HAQ between both groups with a significant reduction in favor to the group (A) there were no statistical difference in CRP and ESR level between both groups Conclusion: The Siwan therapy program was more effective on clinical symptoms than traditional physical therapy program in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients. The sand in burial area enriching in Ca, Mg and contain carbon while non burial area didn{u2019}t contain carbon

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