Positive outcomes were reported for pain , health-status and tender point count .
There is strong evidence for the use of hydrotherapy in the management of FMS
Hydrotherapy is often used in the treatment of  fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) , however there has been limited evaluation of its effectiveness .
The aim of this systematic review was therefore to examine the effectiveness of hydrotherapy in the management of FMS .
Spa treatment for primary fibromyalgia syndrome: a combination of thalassotherapy, exercise and patient education improves symptoms and quality of life.
OBJECTIVES To study the effect of a combination of thalassotherapy , exercise and patient education in people with fibromyalgia . METHODS Patients with fibromyalgia , selected from a rheumatology out-patient department and from members of the Dutch fibromyalgia patient association , were pre-r and omized to receive either 2(1/2 ) weeks of treatment in a Tunisian spa resort , including thalassotherapy , supervised exercise and group education ( active treatment ) or treatment as usual ( control treatment ) . Primary outcome measure was health-related quality of life , measured with the R AND -36 question naire . Secondary measures included the Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire , the McGill Pain Question naire , the Beck Depression Inventory , tender point score and a 6-min treadmill walk test . RESULTS Fifty-eight participants receiving the active treatment reported significant improvement on R AND -36 physical and mental component summary scales . For physical health , differences from the 76 controls were statistically significant after 3 months , but not after 6 and 12 months . A similar pattern of temporary improvement was seen in the self-reported secondary measures . Tender point scores and treadmill walk tests improved more after active treatment , but did not reach significant between-group differences , except for walk tests after 12 months . CONCLUSIONS A combination of thalassotherapy , exercise and patient education may temporarily improve fibromyalgia symptoms and health-related quality of life
Positive outcomes were reported for pain , health-status and tender point count .
There is strong evidence for the use of hydrotherapy in the management of FMS
Hydrotherapy is often used in the treatment of  fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) , however there has been limited evaluation of its effectiveness .
The aim of this systematic review was therefore to examine the effectiveness of hydrotherapy in the management of FMS .