Fibromyalgia Treatment Using Microphysiotherapy: An Open-Label Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common disorder associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Microphysiotherapy (MPT) is a novel alternative and complementary technique used to treat emotional disturbs using bodywork. Aim: To analyze the effects of MPT in patients with FM. Materials and Methods: Of 30 subjects selected, 18 were excluded and included 12 patients. All patients received three sessions of MPT. They were evaluated at preintervention and after 3 months of MPT treatment. Beck inventories evaluated demographic data, anxiety, depression, sleep quality using the Pittsburgh scale, and dysbiosis symptoms. Results: Mean age was 50.8???11.8 years old. Mean disease duration was 2 years (ranging from 3 months to 10 years). After 3 months of MPT, analysis of the parameters revealed no changes in the physical and psychological parameters, including the Beck anxiety and depression questionnaires, tender point counting, dysbiosis questionnaire, and Pittsburgh evaluation scale. Conclusion: Treatment with MPT in patients with FM does not seem to improve this disease. More studies are, however, necessary to confirm these features.

Keywords

• fibromyalgia
• physical therapy
• physiotherapy
• microphysiotherapy
• pain