Management of patients with fibromyalgia using biofeedback: a randomized control trial.
OBJECTIVE
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic rheumatological condition which could be characterized by generalized pain and fatigue. Cognitive and behavioral therapy has been found to be a suitable technique in the management of FMS. This study intends to evaluate the efficacy of electromyography (EMG) biofeedback to reduce pain in patients with FMS.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial involving two groups of FMS patients, one receiving EMG biofeedback and the other a sham biofeedback, was carried out. The assessment tools included in the study were fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), visual analogue scale (VAS), six-minute walk test (SMWT) and number of tender points; and tenderness of each tender point was done for both the groups.


METHODS
A Student's 't' test was used to study the test for significance.


RESULTS
After using biofeedback, the mean VAS scores and the mean number of tender points were found to be 3 out of 10 and 6 out of 18 respectively. Subjective analysis from both groups showed improvement in physical and psychological realms. Statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
Biofeedback as a treatment modality reduces pain in patients with FMS, along with improvements in FIQ, SMWT and the number of tender points.
Department of Physiotherapy, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. abrahambabu@gmail.com
Abraham S
AS
Babu
Elsa
E
Mathew
Debashish
D
Danda
Henry
H
Prakash
D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome