Phytothermotherapy: a possible complementary therapy for fibromyalgia patients.

OBJECTIVE: It is a traditional practice in the Alpine region of Trentino and Alto Adige (Italy) to use phytothermotherapeutic treatment with fermenting grass ("hay baths") for rheumatic diseases. However, despite its long history and popularity, a clinical validation of the efficacy and tolerability of the treatment has yet to be found in current literature. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterised by generalised musculoskeletal pain, high tender point counts, sleep disturbance, fatigue, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, frequent psychological distress and depressed mood. There is no standard therapy regime for FMS and the variety of medical treatments used have given limited benefits. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a cycle of phytothermotherapy through a single-blind, controlled, randomised trial, in patients with primary FMS. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with primary FMS according to the ACR criteria were randomly allocated to two groups: 30 were submitted to phytothermotherapy at the thermal resort of Garniga Terme (Trento, Italy) and the other 26 were considered as controls. All patients were evaluated by FIQ, Tender Points Count, HAQ and AIMS1 at baseline, after 10 days, then after 12 and 24 weeks. RESULTS: Patients submitted to phytothermotherapy showed visible and significant improvement of all evaluation parameters at the end of the treatment, which persisted during the follow-up period. No significant difference was found in the control group. Regarding the tolerability, none of the patients presented side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the efficacy and the tolerability of phytothermotherapy in patients with primary FMS.

[New evidences on spa therapy in fibromyalgia]. / Nuove acquisizioni sulla terapia termale nella fibromialgia.

Spa therapy is one of the most commonly used non-pharmacological approaches for many rheumatic diseases. In Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS) it may be useful for the chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain. Because of the unknown aetiology and the not clear understood pathogenesis, there is no standard therapy regimen for FS. Also the mechanisms of action of spa therapy are not completely known, but most probably the benefits could be derived from mechanical, physical and chemical factors. Muscle tone and pain intensity can be positively influenced by mud packs and thermal baths. The review of international data from 2000 to 2007 confirms that spa therapy should be a valid tool in the multidisciplinary approach of the Primary FS.