Efficacy of EMG biofeedback, pseudotherapy, and conventional medical treatment for chronic rheumatic back pain.
Twenty-four patients suffering from chronic rheumatic back pain were treated with EMG biofeedback, a credible pseudotherapy, or conventional medical treatment alone during a 4 week inpatient stay at a Rheumatology Clinic. At the end of the treatment phase and at the 4 month followup the patients in the biofeedback group showed significant improvements in the duration, intensity, and quality of their back pain as well as their EMG levels, negative self-statements, and utilization of the health care system. In contrast, the pseudotherapy group showed minimal, but non-significant improvements, and the medically treated group remained unchanged.
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D003071:Cognition; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009126:Muscle Relaxation; D011379:Prognosis