Conservative, non drug treatment in rheumatoid arthritis

63 controlled clinical trials and 9 systematic reviews on the efficacy of physical therapy for rheumatoid arthritis are reported. The majority of studies has investigated clinical effects of exercise or dynamic training. Both treatment modalities are effective in increasing physical capacity without provocation of pain or elicitation of disease flare ups. Other physical treatment modalities such as electrotherapy, balneotherapy, treatment with low level Laser, cryo- and thermotherapy are followed by short lasting reduction of symptoms i.e. mainly pain reduction. Only after treatment with radon baths long lasting effects for months may be obtained. Due to the poor study design of many studies, a final conclusion on the efficacy of particular treatment modalities cannot be drawn.