Acute Effects of a Session with The EXOPULSE Mollii Suit in a Fibromyalgia Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and associated fatigue, sleep disturbances, and other cognitive and somatic symptoms. A multidisciplinary approach including pharmacological therapies along with behavioral therapy, exercise, patient education, and pain management is a possible solution for the treatment of this disease. The EXOPULSE Mollii® method (EXONEURAL NETWORK AB, Danderyd, Sweden) is an innovative approach for non-invasive and self-administered electrical stimulation with multiple electrodes incorporated in a full-body suit, with already proven benefits for other diseases. Therefore, the present case report study aims to evaluate the effects that a 60 min session with the EXOPULSE Mollii suit has on a female fibromyalgia patient. After the intervention, we can conclude that a 60 min session with the EXOPULSE Mollii suit has beneficial effects on pain perception, muscle oxygenation, parasympathetic modulation, and function in a female fibromyalgia patient.

Comparative Analysis of Psychophysiological Responses in Fibromyalgia Patients: Evaluating Neuromodulation Alone, Neuromodulation Combined with Virtual Reality, and Exercise Interventions

“…The specific interventions administered to each group are detailed as follows: Suit: The same protocol used in our previous project [ 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 ] was carried out in this intervention. Therefore, participants in this group were subjected to a 60 min session with the EXOPULSE Mollii suit ( Figure 1 ), with all 58 electrodes active at an intensity of 2 milliamperes (mA) and pulse width of 30 milliseconds (ms), as previously described in other studies using the same treatment [ 1 , 76 , 80 , 87 ]. In this line, after basal measurements, the participant suited up in the EXOPULSE Mollii suit with the help of a certified professional who ensured that all electrodes were correctly placed and were in contact with the patient’s skin.…”

“…Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, autonomic dysfunctions, cognitive impairments, hypersensitivity to external stimuli, and a range of somatic and psychiatric disorders [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Ranking as the third most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder after lumbar pain and osteoarthritis, its global prevalence is estimated at 2–3%, escalating to 4.7% within Western European nations [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…Recent findings also highlight mitochondrial dysfunction in fibromyalgia patients, marked by significantly lower muscle oxygen saturation levels than those observed in the general population, sometimes dropping to as low as 20% compared to the normal level of approximately 75% [ 1 , 27 , 28 ]. The underlying cause of this reduction, whether it stems from an energy production deficit at the mitochondrial level or an increased energy demand by muscle fibers, remains unclear [ 27 , 28 ].…”

“…Neuromodulation techniques, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), have proven beneficial in improving pain perception, fatigue, and overall quality of life in fibromyalgia patients [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 ]. Another innovative neuromodulation treatment is the EXOPULSE Mollii ® suit (EXONEURAL NETWORK AB, Danderyd, Sweden), a full-body garment with integrated electrodes, which has shown effectiveness in enhancing pain perception, muscle oxygenation, parasympathetic modulation, and functional capabilities in fibromyalgia patients [ 1 , 76 , 77 ].…”

“…This hypothesis is grounded in the premise that both the EXOPULSE Mollii suit and VR technology can offer unique benefits to fibromyalgia patients, potentially surpassing those obtained through traditional exercise regimens alone. By integrating advanced technological interventions with conventional treatment strategies, this study aims to elucidate the comparative efficacy of these approaches and contribute to the optimization of fibromyalgia management protocols [ 1 , 33 , 77 ].…”