18 studies were included in a systematic review of Hungarian research examining the effect of balneotherapy (thermal mineral water) on pain relief and other clinical and functional outcomes. Nine of these studies were included in a meta-analysis that evaluated pain on loading, and pain at rest. Meta-analysis of pain at rest and on loading indicated overall improvements in favour of balneotherapy over control groups. In the systematic review, balneotherapy was observed to elicit beneficial effects in treatment of knee and hand osteoarthritis, and chronic low back pain.