by AS Babu, et al.
August 17, 2007
[Note: An electromyograph device allows real-time tracking of muscle tissue’s electrical activity.]
Objective: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic rheumatological condition which could be characterized by generalized pain and fatigue. Cognitive and behavioral therapy has been found to be a suitable technique in the management of FMS. This study intends to evaluate the efficacy of electromyography (EMG) biofeedback to reduce pain in patients with FMS.
Materials and methods: A randomized controlled trial involving two groups of FMS patients, one receiving EMG biofeedback and the other a sham biofeedback, was carried out. The assessment tools included in the study were fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), visual analogue scale (VAS), six-minute walk test (SMWT) and number of tender points; and tenderness of each tender point was done for both the groups.
Statistics: A Student's 't' test was used to study the test for significance.
Results: After using biofeedback, the mean VAS scores and the mean number of tender points were found to be 3 out of 10 and 6 out of 18 respectively. Subjective analysis from both groups showed improvement in physical and psychological realms. Statistical significance.
Conclusion: Biofeedback as a treatment modality reduces pain in patients with FMS, along with improvements in FIQ, SMWT and the number of tender points.
Source: Indian Journal of Medical Science. 2007 Aug;61(8):455-61. PMID: 17679735, by Babu AS, Mathew E, Danda D, Prakash H. Department of Physiotherapy, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. [E-mail: abrahambabu@gmail.com]
|
