Research - Fibromyalgia
Effectiveness of Tai Chi on fibromyalgia patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Ching-An Cheng a1 Ya-Wen Chiu b 1 Dean Wuc de Yi-Chun Kuan cd Sheng-Ni Chen a Ka-Wai
Abstract
Objective To identify empirical evidence on the effectiveness of Tai Chi in treating fibromyalgia (FM).
Method We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi and standard care or conventional therapeutic exercise in patients with FM. PubMed, Medline, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched for relevant studies published before May 2019. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), and the total score, pain score, sleep quality index, fatigue, depression, and quality of life were assessing among the patients.
Results Six RCTs with 657 patients were included. Results of our meta-analysis indicated that Tai Chi exerts significant positive effects on reducing the total FIQ score at 12–16 weeks (standard mean difference [SMD]: −0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.90 to −0.31) and pain score (SMD: −0.88; 95% CI: −1.58 to −0.18), improving sleep quality (SMD: −0.57; 95% CI: −0.86 to −0.28), relieving fatigue (SMD: −0.92; 95% CI: −1.81 to −0.04), alleviating depression (SMD: −0.49; 95% CI: −0.97 to −0.01), and enhancing quality of life physically (SMD: 6.21; 95% CI: 3.18–9.24) and psychologically (SMD: 5.15; 95% CI: 1.50–8.81).
Conclusion Tai Chi exerts significantly greater effects on patients with FM than standard care; therefore, we suggest that Tai Chi can be used as an alternative treatment. However, more large-scale, high-quality, and multicenter trials are required to provide stronger evidence on the effectiveness of Tai Chi, as an alternative to aerobic exercise, compared with conventional therapeutic exercise.
Source : Journal Complementary Therapies in Mediine
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A randomized clinical trial of fibromyalgia treatment with acupuncture compared with fluoxetine
M J Hadianfard1,* and M Hosseinzadeh Parizi2
Abstract
Background
To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture and compare it with fluoxetine in treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).
Methods
We conducted a prospective, randomized clinical trial. Fifteen patients were treated with acupuncture and compared with a control group (n=15) of patients who received fluoxetine. Visual analogue scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and determined number of tender points were used as outcome measurements.
Results
After four weeks, the acupuncture group was significantly better than the control group in the number of tender points. Total fibromyalgia symptoms were significantly improved in the acupuncture group compared with the control group during the study period (P= 0.01). The largest difference in mean FIQ total scores was observed at 4 weeks (42.2 VS. 34.8 in the control and acupuncture groups, respectively; P= 0.007). At the end of one year of the follow up, patients who received acupuncture were significantly better than the control group in all measures. Fatigue and anxiety were the most significantly improved symptoms during the follow up period.
Discussion
Acupuncture significantly improved pain and symptoms of fibromyalgia. Also, we found that acupuncture did not have any side effect and was tolerable.
Source : Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2012 October; 14(10): 631–640
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