Components of effective randomized controlled trials of hydrotherapy programs for fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review Assessment of the effects of aquatic therapy on global symptomatology in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Integrating Virtual Reality With Activity Management for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: Acceptability and Preliminary Efficacy Function of the hypothalamic adrenal axis in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome undergoing mud-pack treatment. Phytothermotherapy: a possible complementary therapy for fibromyalgia patients. Effects of mud-bath treatment on fibromyalgia patients: a randomized clinical trial Is brief psychodynamic psychotherapy in primary fibromyalgia syndrome with concurrent depression an effective treatment? A randomized controlled trial. Cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of juvenile fibromyalgia: a multisite, single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. A pragmatic community-based intervention of multimodal physiotherapy plus deep water running (DWR) for fibromyalgia syndrome: a pilot study The efficacy of the Rességuier method in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Functional magnetic stimulation for mixed urinary incontinence. Meditation awareness training for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: A randomized controlled trial Effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Low-dose hydrocortisone for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Effects of thermal therapy combining sauna therapy and underwater exercise in patients with fibromyalgia. Multimodal therapy for painful bladder syndrome / interstitial cystitis: pilot study combining behavioral, pharmacologic, and endoscopic therapies. Balneotherapy for fibromyalgia at the Dead Sea
Aim Previous systematic review s have found hydrotherapy to be an effective management strategy for  fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) .  The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the components of hydrotherapy programs used in r and omized controlled trials . Method A systematic review of r and omized controlled trials was conducted . Only trials that have reported significant FMS-related outcomes were included . Data relating to the components of hydrotherapy programs ( exercise type , duration , frequency and intensity , environmental factors , and service delivery ) were analyzed . Results Eleven r and omized controlled trials were included in this review . Overall , the quality of trials was good . Aerobic exercise featured in all 11 trials and the majority of hydrotherapy programs included either a strengthening or flexibility component . Great variability was noted in both the environmental components of hydrotherapy programs and service delivery . Conclusions Aerobic exercise , warm up and cool-down periods and relaxation exercises are common features of hydrotherapy programs that report significant FMS-related outcomes . Treatment duration of 60 minutes , frequency of three sessions per week and an intensity equivalent to 60%–80 % maximum heart rate were the most commonly reported exercise components . Exercise appears to be the most important component of an effective hydrotherapy program for FMS , particularly when considering mental health-related outcomes OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of a 16-week exercise therapy in a chest-high pool of warm water through applicable tests in the clinical practice on the global symptomatology of women with fibromyalgia ( FM ) and to determine exercise adherence levels . DESIGN A r and omized controlled trial . SETTING Testing and training were completed at the university . PARTICIPANTS Middle-aged women with FM ( n=60 ) and healthy women ( n=25 ) . INTERVENTION A 16-week aquatic training program , including strength training , aerobic training , and relaxation exercises . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Tender point count ( syringe calibrated ) , health status ( Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ) ; sleep quality ( Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ) ; physical ( endurance strength to low loads tests ) , psychologic ( State Anxiety Inventory ) , and cognitive function ( Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task ) ; and adherence 12 months after the completion of the study . RESULTS For all the measurements , the patients showed significant deficiencies compared with the healthy subjects . Efficacy analysis ( n=29 ) and intent-to-treat analysis ( n=34 ) of the exercise therapy was effective in decreasing the tender point count and improving sleep quality , cognitive function , and physical function . Anxiety remained unchanged during the follow-up . The exercise group had a significant improvement of health status , not associated exclusively with the exercise intervention . There were no changes in the control group . Twenty-three patients in the exercise group were exercising regularly 12 months after completing the program . CONCLUSIONS An exercise therapy 3 times a week for 16 weeks in a warm pool could improve most of the symptoms of FM and cause a high adherence to exercise in unfit women with heightened FM symptomatology . The therapeutic intervention 's effects can be assessed through applicable tests in the clinical practice Objectives : Cognitive-behavioral therapies ( CBT ) for fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) are important interventions in the management of this condition . Empirical evidence reports that although the results are promising , further research is needed to respond more appropriately to these patients . This study focuses on exploring the use of Virtual Reality ( VR ) as an adjunct to the activity management component . The aim of this study is to present the results of a small-sized r and omized controlled trial to test the preliminary efficacy and acceptability of this component . Material s and Methods : The final sample was composed of 61 women diagnosed with FMS according to the American College of Rheumatology . The sample was r and omly allocated to 2 conditions : VR treatment and treatment as usual . Results : Participants in the VR condition achieved significant improvements in the primary outcome : disability measured with the FIQ . The improvement was also significant in secondary outcomes , such as perceived quality of life and some of the coping strategies included in the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory : task persistence and exercise . There were no differences in other secondary outcome measures like pain intensity and interference and depression . Participants reported high satisfaction with the VR component . Discussion : The effects were related to the psychological aspects targeted in the treatment . The component was well accepted by FMS patients referred from a public hospital . These findings show that the VR component could be useful in the CBT treatment of FMS and encourage us to continue exploring the use of integrating VR with CBT interventions for the treatment of FMS Fibromyalgia ( FM ) is a nonarticular rheumatological syndrome associated with diverse clinical and psychological features . One of the major complaints in FM is reduced pain tolerance , especially in tender points ( TP ) for which patients derive significant benefit from nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs or corticosteroids .  Patients with FM also have altered reactivity of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal ( HPA ) axis where the predominant feature is reduced containment of the stress response system through diminished adrenocortical output and feedback resistance . Our results show that mud packs together with antidepressant treatment are able to influence the HPA axis , stimulating increased levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone , cortisol and beta-endorphin serum levels . The discharge of corticoids in the blood and the increase in beta-endorphin serum levels are followed by a reduction in pain symptoms , which is closely related to an improvement in disability , depression and quality of life . It seems that the synergic association between a pharmacological treatment ( trazodone ) and mud packs acts by helping the physiological responses to achieve homeostasis and to rebalance the stress response system . To clarify and optimize the effectiveness of this synergic association , studies involving a larger number of FM patients and a different pharmacological treatment are needed 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 st and ard 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 , r and omised trial , in patients with primary FMS . METHODS Fifty-six patients with primary FMS according to the ACR criteria were r and omly allocated to two groups : 30 were su bmi tted 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 AIMS 1 at baseline , after 10 days , then after 12 and 24 weeks . RESULTS Patients su bmi tted 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 The efficacy of balneotherapy in fibromyalgia syndrome ( FS ) has been well demonstrated , while controlled studies using mud packs are lacking . We performed a r and omized clinical trial to evaluate the effects and the tolerability of mud-bath treatment in FS patients , who are poor responders to pharmacological therapy . Eighty patients with primary FS , according to ACR criteria , were r and omly allocated to two groups : 40 were su bmi tted to a cycle of 12 mud packs and thermal baths  , and 40 were considered as controls .  At baseline , after thermal treatment and after 16 weeks , patients were evaluated by FIQ , tender points count , VAS for “ minor ” symptoms , AIMS 1 and HAQ . Control patients were assessed at the same time periods . A significant improvement of all evaluation parameters after mud-bath therapy and after 16 weeks was observed . Mud packs were well tolerated and no drop-outs were recorded . Our results suggest the efficacy and the tolerability of mud-bath treatment in primary FS OBJECTIVE There are no studies investigating the efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in primary fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) . We conducted a r and omized controlled trial evaluating an adapted form of individual short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy ( ASTPP ) versus primary care management ( TAU ) . The study focused on FMS patients with psychiatric comorbidity . METHODS Forty-six female patients with FMS and an International Classification of Diseases , 10th Revision diagnosis of a comorbid depression or anxiety disorder were recruited in a hospital setting . Participants were r and omized to receive either ASTPP ( 25 sessions , 1 session/week ) or TAU ( 4 consultations/6 months ) . Outcome measures included the Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) , the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS ) , the Pain Disability Index , the Symptom Checklist 27 and the health-related quality of life . Primary endpoints of the outcome assessment were the FIQ total score and the HADS depression scale at 12-month follow-up . RESULTS Both treatments were effective in reducing the FIQ total score ( ES=0.56 and ES=0.75 , respectively ) . Intent-to-treat analyses failed to provide evidence suggesting a marked superiority of individual psychodynamic psychotherapy as compared to TAU . CONCLUSIONS A high-st and ard routine treatment focusing on the improvement of health behavior and including antidepressant and analgesic medication is equally effective as a short-term individual psychodynamic psychotherapy in improving fibromyalgia-related symptoms OBJECTIVE Juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder in children and adolescents for which there are no evidence -based treatments . The objective of this multisite , single-blind , r and omized clinical trial was to test whether cognitive-behavioral therapy ( CBT ) was superior to fibromyalgia ( FM ) education in reducing functional disability , pain , and symptoms of depression in juvenile FMS . METHODS Participants were 114 adolescents ( ages 11 - 18 years ) with juvenile FMS . After receiving stable medications for 8 weeks , patients were r and omized to either CBT or FM education and received 8 weekly individual sessions with a therapist and 2 booster sessions . Assessment s were conducted at baseline , immediately following the 8-week treatment phase , and at 6-month followup . RESULTS The majority of patients ( 87.7 % ) completed the trial per protocol . Intent-to-treat analyses showed that patients in both groups had significant reductions in functional disability , pain , and symptoms of depression at the end of the study , and CBT was significantly superior to FM education in reducing the primary outcome of functional disability ( mean baseline to end-of-treatment difference between groups 5.39 [ 95 % confidence interval 1.57 , 9.22 ] ) . Reduction in symptoms of depression was clinical ly significant for both groups , with mean scores in the range of normal/nondepressed by the end of the study . Reduction in pain was not clinical ly significant for either group ( < 30 % decrease in pain ) . There were no study -related adverse events . CONCLUSION In this controlled trial , CBT was found to be a safe and effective treatment for reducing functional disability and symptoms of depression in adolescents with juvenile FMS Evidence -based recommendations support the use of multimodal therapy and hydrotherapy for fibromyalgia syndrome ; however , there is little st and ardisation of such programmes . The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a pool-based exercise using deep water running ( DWR ) as part of a multimodal physiotherapy programme for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome . For a non-r and omised clinical study , 44 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia were recruited from primary care . Patients in the experimental group received a multimodal programme incorporating pool-based exercise using DWR three times a week for an 8-week period . The control group received a leaflet containing advice and continued with normal activities . Patients were evaluated for physical function ( Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire , FIQ ) , pain , general health ( Short Form-12 Health Survey ) and quality of life ( European Quality of Life Scale-5D ) pre- and post intervention . Statistically significant results were found for the experimental group for FIQ total score , incorporating physical function , pain , fatigue , stiffness and psychological variables ( p < 0.05 ) . Statistically significant differences between the experimental group and control were also found for general health ( p < 0.05 ) and quality of life ( p < 0.05 ) . The results of this pilot study and the high level of compliance and adherence and low level of attrition suggest that this multimodal programme incorporating DWR is a safe and effective intervention for fibromyalgia syndrome that is acceptable to patients OBJECTIVES In fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) defined rehabilitation guidelines are yet to be vali date d. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of the Rességuier method ( RM ) in FMS . METHODS Forty-one patients were r and omly assigned to Interventional ( 22 pts ) and Observational ( 19 pts ) Group ( IG and OG ) . The study lasted 8 months . Patients were assessed at baseline ( T0 ) after a 2-month rehabilitation ( T1 ) and at a 6-month follow-up ( T2 ) ( only IG ) with SF-36 Physical ( PSI ) and Mental Synthetic Index ( MSI ) , Regional Pain Scale ( RPS ) , Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) , Number Rating Scales 0 - 10 to measure pain , movement quality , sleep , relax ability , analgesics number/per week . OG patients maintained their lifestyle for the duration of the study . RM aims to obtain patient awareness and control of bodily perceptions , thus reaching a modulation of responses to pain . Therapist controls patient attention and perception by verbal and manual contacts and leads them to perform bodily and respiratory active and conscious movements . RESULTS In IG , at T1 all items were improved : PSI and MSI ( p<0.001 and = 0.001 ) , FIQ ( p<0.0001 ) , RPS ( p<0.001 ) , pain ( p<0.0001 ) , movement quality ( p=0.001 ) , relax ability ( p<0.0001 ) , sleep ( p<0.001 ) ; analgesics number/per week was reduced ( p<0.001 ) . All results obtained at T1 , except FIQ , were maintained at T2 . In OG at T1 versus T0 , no difference in any of the assessed parameters was observed . CONCLUSION In FMS patients , the rehabilitation with RM  improves HRQoL , FMS-related disability and perceived pain , thus reducing the assumption of analgesics PURPOSE In this study we determined the efficacy of functional magnetic stimulation ( FMS ) compared to placebo for treating women with mixed urinary incontinence ( MUI ) . MATERIAL S AND METHODS A total of 39 women with MUI were r and omly assigned to the  FMS group ( 23 patients ) or to the placebo group ( 16 patients ) . FMS was applied continuously at 18.5 Hz day and night for 2 months . Conventional urodynamic studies were performed before and after stimulation . Outcome measures assessed were clinical ( daytime frequency , nocturia , pad use , pad weight ) and urodynamic variables ( first sensation of bladder filling , maximum cystometric capacity , maximum urethral closure pressure ) , and patient subjective assessment ( visual analogue scale ) . RESULTS After 2 months of FMS significant decreases in voiding frequency ( from 9.0 to 6.7 , p = 0.0002 ) , nocturia ( from 2.6 to 1.4 , p = 0.0007 ) and pad use ( from 3.9 to 2.2 , p = 0.007 ) were observed only in the FMS group . First sensation of bladder filling and maximum cystometric capacity increased significantly after stimulation compared with prestimulation levels only in the FMS group , p = 0.003 ( from 118 to 174 ml ) and p = 0.00004 ( from 267 to 396 ml ) , respectively . A total of 18 women ( 78.3 % ) reported an improvement in symptoms after FMS with an average success rate of 41.9 % . The success rate was significantly lower in the placebo group ( p = 0.021 ) at 22.9 % . CONCLUSIONS Functional magnetic stimulation was useful and safe for treating women with MUI OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to conduct the first r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) to evaluate the effectiveness of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention ( SG-MBI ) for treating fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) . Compared to first-generation mindfulness-based interventions , SG-MBIs are more acknowledging of the spiritual aspect of mindfulness . DESIGN A RCT employing intent-to-treat analysis . METHODS Adults with FMS received an 8-week SG-MBI known as meditation awareness training ( MAT ; n = 74 ) or an  active control intervention known as cognitive behaviour theory for groups ( n = 74 ) . Assessment s were performed at pre- , post- , and 6-month follow-up phases . RESULTS Meditation awareness training participants demonstrated significant and sustained improvements over control group participants in FMS symptomatology , pain perception , sleep quality , psychological distress , non-attachment ( to self , symptoms , and environment ) , and civic engagement . A mediation analysis found that ( 1 ) civic engagement partially mediated treatment effects for all outcome variables , ( 2 ) non-attachment partially mediated treatment effects for psychological distress and sleep quality , and ( 3 ) non-attachment almost fully mediated treatment effects for FMS symptomatology and pain perception . Average daily time spent in meditation was found to be a significant predictor of changes in all outcome variables . CONCLUSIONS Meditation awareness training may be a suitable treatment for adults with FMS and appears to ameliorate FMS symptomatology and pain perception by reducing attachment to self . Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject ? Design ing interventions to treat fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) continues to be a challenge . There is growing interest into the applications of mindfulness-based interventions for treating FMS . Second-generation mindfulness-based interventions ( SG-MBIs ) are a key new direction in mindfulness research . What does this study add ? Meditation awareness training - an SG-MBI - result ed in significant reductions in FMS symptomatology . SG-MBIs recognize the spiritual aspect of mindfulness and may have a role in the treatment of FMS CONTEXT Fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder associated with pain , mood state alteration , and disability . A structured and effective treatment plan for palliative care has not been established . The genesis of FMS is not clear . FMS occurs primarily in adult women . DESIGN Using a quasi-experimental clinical design and following the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology ( ACR ) , for FMS , 21 participants completed the study . The mean age was 53.6 years . The data were collected at baseline and at 1 and 2 months . Acupuncture treatments included 17 points for FMS symptoms , and 8 outcome measures were collected . RESULTS The Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) showed significant differences at 1 and 2 months . For the SF-12 , 3 subscales showed significant differences between baseline and 2 months . Four of 6 items were significantly changed . The mean number of general health symptoms was significantly decreased by 2 months . For the Catastrophe Index , significant differences were found for baseline vs 2 months . Pain threshold scores were significantly different at end of treatment for 5 bilateral tender points . There was significant improvement in Beck Depression items for both 1- and 2-month periods . In a multivariate regression model , 5 covariates were included -- age , number of weeks in treatment , number of doctors treating , number of general symptoms , and baseline FIQ score . The results indicated significant age effect . This analysis showed that the higher the FIQ score , the more positive the change experienced by study participants . Number of weeks in treatment , number of doctors who treated , and total number of general health symptoms did not have a significant effect on outcomes . CONCLUSIONS Significant improvement was experienced by participants at 8 weeks of treatment . Acupuncture treatment as delivered was effective at reducing FMS symptoms in this outcome study CONTEXT Chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) is associated with a dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis and hypocortisolemia . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose oral hydrocortisone as a treatment for CFS . DESIGN A r and omized , placebo-controlled , double-blind therapeutic trial , conducted between 1992 and 1996 . SETTING A single-center study in a tertiary care research institution . PATIENTS A total of 56 women and 14 men aged 18 to 55 years who met the 1988 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case criteria for CFS and who withheld concomitant treatment with other medications . INTERVENTION Oral hydrocortisone , 13 mg/m2 of body surface area every morning and 3 mg/m2 every afternoon , or placebo , for approximately 12 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A global Wellness scale and other self-rating instruments were completed repeatedly before and during treatment . Resting and cosyntropin-stimulated cortisol levels were obtained before and at the end of treatment . Patients recorded adverse effects on a checklist . RESULTS The number of patients showing improvement on the Wellness scale was 19 ( 54.3 % ) of 35 placebo recipients vs 20 ( 66.7 % ) of 30 hydrocortisone recipients ( P = .31 ) . Hydrocortisone recipients had a greater improvement in mean Wellness score ( 6.3 vs 1.7 points ; P=.06 ) , a greater percentage ( 53 % vs 29 % ; P=.04 ) recording an improvement of 5 or more points in Wellness score , and a higher average improvement in Wellness score on more days than did placebo recipients ( P<.001 ) . Statistical evidence of improvement was not seen with other self-rating scales . Although adverse symptoms reported by patients taking hydrocortisone were mild , suppression of adrenal glucocorticoid responsiveness was documented in 12 patients who received it vs none in the placebo group ( P<.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS Although hydrocortisone treatment was associated with some improvement in symptoms of CFS , the degree of adrenal suppression precludes its practical use for CFS Fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) is a chronic disorder that is characterized by widespread pain with localized tenderness . We aim ed to investigate whether thermal therapy combining sauna therapy and underwater exercise improved pain , symptoms , and quality of life ( QOL ) in FMS patients . Forty-four female FMS patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology ( ACR ) criteria received 12-week thermal therapy program comprising sauna therapy once daily for 3 days/week and underwater exercise once daily for 2 days/week . Pain , symptoms , and QOL were assessed using a pain visual analog scale ( VAS ) , a fibromyalgia impact question naire ( FIQ ) , and a short form 36-item question naire ( SF-36 ) , respectively . All of the patients reported significant reductions in pain and symptoms of 31 - 77 % after the 12-week thermal therapy program , which remained relatively stable ( 28 - 68 % ) during the 6-month follow-up period ( that is , the thermal therapy program improved both the short-term and the long-term VAS and FIQ scores ) . Improvements were also observed in the SF-36 score .  Thermal therapy combining sauna therapy and underwater exercise improved the QOL as well as the pain and symptoms of FMS patients PURPOSE We evaluated the effectiveness of combining behavioral therapy , pharmacologic therapy and endoscopic hydrodistension for treating  painful bladder syndrome / interstitial cystitis ( PBS/IC ) .  MATERIAL S AND METHODS Twenty-five patients with PBS/IC were prospect ively enrolled in a pilot multimodal behavioral , pharmacologic and endoscopic treatment protocol . Behavioral modification included diet recommendations , fluid restriction to 64 oz . /day , progressive timed voiding and Kegel exercises . Oral pharmacologic therapy consisted of daily doses of macrodantin 100 mg , hydroxyzine 10 - 20 mg and urised 4 tablets .  Patients underwent endoscopic bladder hydrodistention under anesthesia  at least 2 weeks after protocol enrollment . Behavioral and pharmacological treatments were continued after the hydrodistention . O'Leary-Sant question naire scores were recorded before starting the protocol , after pharmacologic/behavioral therapy , 2 months post-hydrodistension , and at scheduled follow-up . RESULTS Eighteen patients ( 72 % ) completed the pilot multimodal treatment protocol and were followed for a mean of 10.2 months . All patients were female with a median age of 36.3 years and had mean bladder capacity under anesthesia of 836 milliliters .  Mean O'Leary-Sant symptom index scores for baseline symptoms , after behavioral/pharmacologic treatment , post-hydrodistension and during follow up were 12.5 , 8.6 , 7.0 , and 6.7 ( p < 0.05 ) . Mean O'Leary-Sant problem index scores for baseline , after behavioral/pharmacologic treatment , post-hydrodistention and during follow up were 12.7 , 8.9 , 6.7 , and 7.7 ( p < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION Our pilot multimodal protocol of behavioral modification , pharmacologic therapy and endoscopic hydrodistention demonstrated a significant progressive improvement in PBS/IC quality of life scores , compared to a pre-treatment baseline . These results should be vali date d in a larger , placebo controlled trial Abstract . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of balneotherapy on patients with fibromyalgia ( FM ) at the Dead Sea . Forty-eight patients with FM were r and omly assigned to a treatment group receiving sulfur baths and a control group .  All participants stayed for 10 days at a Dead Sea spa .  Physical functioning , FM-related symptoms , and tenderness measurements ( point count and dolorimetry ) were assessed at four time points : prior to arrival at the Dead Sea , after 10 days of treatment , and 1 and 3 months after leaving the spa . Physical functioning and tenderness moderately improved in both groups . With the exception of tenderness threshold , the improvement was especially notable in the treatment group and it persisted even after 3 months . Relief in the severity of FM-related symptoms ( pain , fatigue , stiffness , and anxiety ) and reduced frequency of symptoms ( headache , sleep problems , and subjective joint swelling ) were reported in both groups but lasted longer in the treatment group . In conclusion , treatment of FM at the Dead Sea is effective and safe and may become an additional therapeutic modality in FM . Future studies should address the outcome and possible mechanisms of this treatment in FM patients
There is moderate evidence that hydrotherapy has short-term beneficial effects on pain and HRQOL in FMS patients .
OBJECTIVE To systematic ally review the efficacy of hydrotherapy in FM syndrome ( FMS ) .