[Whole body hyperthermia in pain therapy. A controlled trial on patients with fibromyalgia].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether mild water-filtered near infrared whole body hyperthermia in patients with fibromyalgia produces a benefit when applied as an addition to a standard multimodal rehabilitation.


METHODS
In this study 67 patients at a German rehabilitation clinic were included and allocated to 3 study groups: the 2 intervention groups received additional mild water-filtered near infrared whole body hyperthermia once or twice a week over 3 weeks and the control group received only standard multimodal rehabilitation. Main outcome measure was pain intensity measured at baseline, discharge from the rehabilitation clinic and 6 months after discharge.


RESULTS
Additional mild water-filtered near infrared whole body hyperthermia once a week proved to be significantly better than the second hyperthermia group and the control group with respect to pain reduction and affective sense of pain. Furthermore, hyperthermia once a week tended to result in better outcome regarding fibromyalgia-related quality of life and depression.


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence that mild water-filtered near infrared whole body hyperthermia is a reasonable complement to multimodal rehabilitation in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
m&i-Fachklinik Bad Pyrmont, Auf der Schanze 3, 31812, Bad Pyrmont, Deutschland. julia.walz@fachklinik-bad-pyrmont.de
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J
Walz
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Hinzmann
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I
Haase
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Witte
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers
D002097:C-Reactive Protein