Balneotherapy in fibromyalgia: a single blind randomized controlled clinical study

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Background:

• Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and fatigue.
• Current management often involves pharmacological treatments and lifestyle adjustments.
• The role of complementary therapies like balneotherapy requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of balneotherapy as an adjunct treatment for fibromyalgia.
• To compare the outcomes of balneotherapy versus standard care in fibromyalgia patients.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 50 women with fibromyalgia.
• Intervention group received daily thermomineral water baths for two weeks.
• Control group continued standard pharmacological treatment and daily life.
• Assessments included pain intensity, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), SF-36, and tender point count.

Main Results:

• Balneotherapy group showed significant improvements in pain, FIQ, patient and investigator global assessments, and tender point count compared to controls.
• These benefits persisted for three months, with some measures showing sustained improvement.
• SF-36 subscales (PF, GH, MH) improved in the balneotherapy group, with VT subscale showing superiority at therapy end and three months post-therapy.

Conclusions:

• Balneotherapy demonstrates beneficial effects in managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
• It offers a viable complementary treatment option for improving quality of life in fibromyalgia patients.
• Long-term efficacy and specific mechanisms warrant further research.