Methodological considerations in evaluating Tskaltubo low-radon nitrogen mineral bath therapy for osteoarthritis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66636/gmj.v1.i3.a182

Keywords:

osteoarthritis, balneotherapy, Tskaltubo, low-radon mineral baths, methodology, clinical research, Letter to the Editor

Abstract

This Letter to the Editor discusses methodological considerations in the evaluation of Tskaltubo low-radon nitrogen mineral bath therapy for osteoarthritis, with particular attention to study design, control groups, blinding, outcome selection, disease-severity stratification, and long-term follow-up. It comments on the article by Shavianidze et al. published in Georgian Medical Journal (2026) 1(1):99–114.

Keywords: osteoarthritis; balneotherapy; Tskaltubo; low-radon mineral baths; methodology; clinical research; Letter to the Editor

References

1. Shavianidze G, Shavianidze M, Lomidze G. Influence of Tskaltubo Low-Radon Nitrogen Mineral Baths on Erythrocyte Biophysical Parameters and Microcirculation in Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Clinical Study. Georgian Med J. 2026;1(1):99–114. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19076785

2. Tenti S, Cheleschi S, Galeazzi M, Fioravanti A. Balneotherapy for osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Clin Rheumatol. 2023;42(2):345–358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-022-06449-x

3. von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. PLoS Med. 2007;4(10):e296. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0040296

4. Teległów A, Seremak J, Golec J, Marchewka J, Golec P, Maciejczyk M, et al. The effect of sulfur baths on hemorheological properties of blood in patients with osteoarthritis. Sci Rep. 2023;13:7960. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35064-8

5. Bannuru RR, Osani MC, Vaysbrot EE, Arden NK, Bennell K, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA, et al. OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2019;27(11):1578–1589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2019.06.011

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Published

08/22/2026

How to Cite

Sajjad, A. (2026). Methodological considerations in evaluating Tskaltubo low-radon nitrogen mineral bath therapy for osteoarthritis. Georgian Medical Journal, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.66636/gmj.v1.i3.a182

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2026): Surgical Innovation, Paediatrics, and Environmental Health

Section

Editorial & Policy Forum

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Copyright (c) 2026 Areesha Sajjad

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