Journal of Pain Research (Jan 2024)
Effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Network Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Guancheng Ye,1,* Ruiheng Miao,2,* Jiaqi Chen,3 Jian Huang,4 Min Jiang2 1Department of Rheumatology, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of TCM, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Dermatology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Acupuncture, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jian Huang, Department of Acupuncture, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6, Fangxingyuan District 1, Beijing, 100078, People’s Republic of China, Fax +86 10 67689713, Email [email protected] Min Jiang, Department of TCM, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Tieyi Road, Beijing, 100038, People’s Republic of China, Fax +86 10 63926060, Email [email protected]: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent chronic disorder characterized by widespread skeletal muscle pain. In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increasingly been recognized for its potential in treating FM symptoms. This study aims to assess the efficacy of CAM therapies in mitigating the symptoms of FM.Methods: This systematic review was registered with INPLASY. A thorough search of both English and Chinese databases was undertaken from their inception until April 15, 2023. The search criteria focused on prospective controlled trials examining CAM therapies in FM patients. The statistical analysis employed mean values and standard deviations. Additionally, an evaluation of the literature’s quality and potential biases was conducted.Results: The search yielded 41 articles, encompassing 2877 FM patients and involving 20 different interventions. All studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The results of the network meta-analysis (NMA) indicated that a combination of Acupuncture and Massage therapy, as well as Navel Needling therapy, effectively alleviated pain symptoms in FM patients. Furthermore, Abdominal Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture were found to be beneficial in improving patients’ mood and sleep quality.Conclusion: Acupuncture + Massage and Umbilical Acupuncture emerged as the most efficacious therapies in relieving pain symptoms in FM patients. Abdominal Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture demonstrated their effectiveness in enhancing mood and sleep quality. Overall, CAM therapies exhibited a high safety profile for patients with fibromyalgia.Keywords: complementary and alternative medicine, CAM, fibromyalgia, FM, effectiveness, network meta-analysis, NMA
