Clinical researches on the efficacy of spa therapy in fibromyalgia. A systematic review.

Antonio Fraioli, Marcello Grassi, Gioacchino Mennuni, Andrea Geraci, Luisa Petraccia, Mario Fontana, Stefano Conte, Angelo Serio

Journal: Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanita 2014;49(2):219-29

PMID: 23771266

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain, tenderness at muscle and tendon insertions point when digital pressure is applied, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, depressive episodes, anxiety, and other functional somatic syndromes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine whether balneotherapy with mineral waters and mineral-water containing mud is effective in the management of fibromyalgia.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding spa therapy in the treatment of the fibromyalgia. We searched many databases for articles published between 2000 and 2012 and we selected 7 studies among 65 articles retrieved. A total of 142 patients received balneotherapy and 129 were controls.

CONCLUSION

Study data confirms that spa therapy could improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia including pain, depression and minor symptoms.

Address: Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialità Mediche, UOC Medicina Interna E, Terapia Medica e Medicina Termale, Sapienza Università di Roma, Azienda Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy. [email protected]

DOI: 10.4415/ANN_13_02_13

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Free resources

Full Text Sources:

https://doi.org/10.4415/ANN_13_02_13

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/fibromyalgia.html

MeSH Terms: Balneology, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Humans, Mineral Waters, Mud Therapy, Pain Measurement, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Surveys and Questionnaires, Treatment Outcome