Comparison of Exercise and Massage in Fibromyalgia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The present study was designed to analyse and compare the effects of Pilates exercises and connective tissue massage in terms of pain intensity, pain pressure threshold and tolerance, anxiety, progress, and health related quality of life in females with fibromyalgia (FM)

Detailed Description
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Treatment of FM is difficult. Conventional treatments do not appear to be managing the problem effectively and this has led to other forms of treatment. The aim of treating FM is to decrease pain and increase function by means of a multimodal therapeutic strategy, which, in most cases, includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. In the literature on non-pharmacological treatment approaches for FM, different managements are described, such as exercise, electrotherapy, patient education, self-management programmes, massage techniques, cryotherapy, and acupuncture. There are a number of reasons why patients choose these complementary and alternative medicine approaches, including dissatisfaction with conventional treatments or concerns over the toxicity of drugs. However, there is no consensus about which treatment approach is the best.The current randomised controlled trial was undertaken as a first pilot study to assess and compare the effectiveness of Pilates exercises, an active-group therapy, and connective tissue massage, a passive-personalised therapy, in the management of FM in females.

Official Title
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Comparison of Pilates Exercises and Connective Tissue Massage in Females With Fibromyalgia

Conditions
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Fibromyalgia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Pilates exercises
* Other: Connective tissue massage


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: being female being over 25 years old meeting the criteria for FM as defined by the American College of Rheumatology having pain in the neck and shoulder region never having been treated for FM. Exclusion Criteria: infection fever or an increased tendency to bleed severe physical impairment inflammatory diseases cardiopulmonary disorders uncontrolled endocrine disorders allergic disorders pregnancy malignancy severe psychiatric illnesses factors known to affect autonomic function medication usage

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 25 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: 2<br>Pilates exercises | Other: Pilates exercises<br>* 15 FM patients participated in the PE programme three times a week during a 4-week period<br>* Other names: No drug name;|
| Other: 1<br>Connective tissue massage | Other: Connective tissue massage<br>* 21 patients received CTM, three times a week during a 4-week period<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visual Analogue Scale, algometry, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and Nottingham Health Profile were used at baseline and at the end of the treatments. |  | For All measurements aproximately 1 hour | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Pilates Exercises, Connective Tissue Massage