The effect of octylphthalide (OP) bathing was compared with placebo bathing on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
A liquid containing octylphthalide was dissolved in water of 40°C at a concentration of 10ppm. A liquid which has quite similar appearance and perfume to the above was used as a placebo. Double blind controlled study tests were performed.
Twenty patients (10 for OP bathing and 10 for placebo bathing) were tested by single bathing, 33 other patients (16 patients for OP bathing and 17 for placebo bathing), by serial bathing for 30 days (once a day).
After a single bathing, while grip strengths, tender joints scores, and 20m walking time improved significantly in the OP bathing group, only tender joint scores and 20m walking time improved significantly in the placebo bathing group.
After serial bathing for 30 days, tender joint scores improved significantly in the OP bathing group, but no improvement was observed in the placebo bathing group. The above results suggest that OP bathing may be beneficial for RA patients, but further study may be needed.