title: Cranial electrical stimulation improves symptoms and functional status in individuals with fibromyalgia.
abstract: To investigate the effects of microcurrent cranial electrical stimulation (CES) therapy on reducing pain and its associated symptoms in fibromyalgia (FM), we conducted a randomized, controlled, three-group (active CES device, sham device, and usual care alone [UC]), double-blind study to determine the potential benefit of CES therapy for symptom management in FM. Those individuals using the active CES device had a greater decrease in average pain (p = .023), fatigue (p = .071), and sleep disturbance (p = .001) than individuals using the sham device or those receiving usual care alone over time. Additionally, individuals using the active CES device had improved functional status versus the sham device and UC groups over time (p = .028).
authors: Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Electronic address: agt@virginia.edu.
authors: Ann Gill
authors: AG
authors: Taylor
authors: Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
authors: Joel G
authors: JG
authors: Anderson
authors: Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
authors: Shannon L
authors: SL
authors: Riedel
authors: Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors: Janet E
authors: JE
authors: Lewis
authors: Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
authors: Patricia A
authors: PA
authors: Kinser
authors: Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
authors: Cheryl
authors: C
authors: Bourguignon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome