Riassunto dello studio

Forty-two female patients with fibromyalgia were randomized to receive 4 weeks of neuro-adaptive electrostimulation (n=23) or sham (n=19) treatments. The outcomes of interest included pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), pain pressure threshold, temporal summation, and conditioned pain modulation of the thumb and trapezius muscle. As well, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Short-Form 36 (SF-36) physical, mental and global scores, Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS), pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), state anxiety and trait anxiety (STAI-S; STAI-T), and the Beck Depression Index (BDI). Outcomes were assessed upon completion of the 4 week program, as well as at 3 months follow up. Results revealed statistically significant differences in VAS pain scores at 4 weeks, FIQ scores at 4 weeks, JSS scores at 4 weeks, and conditioned pain modulation of the thumb at 3 months in favour of the intervention group (p>0.05 for all). No statistical differences were observed in the remaining outcomes.