Effectiveness of Hydro-Galvanic Bath Therapy on Global Health Status, Quality of Life, Depression, and Pain in Individuals with Fibromyalgia – A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Purpose Although a number of treatments are widely prescribed for fibromyalgia (FM), many are not fully effective. In clinical practice, the effectiveness of electrotherapy is limited in particular to hydro-galvanic bath therapy in the management of FM. This experiment aims to evaluate whether hydro-galvanic bath therapy can be beneficial in decreasing pain and increasing quality of life for individuals with FM. Material and Methods This quasi-experimental study recruited 92 individuals diagnosed with FM who were then divided equally either into a galvanic group or control group. The galvanic group received both hydro-galvanic bath therapy and a 12-week supervised aerobic exercise program, whereas the control group only received the exercise program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), SF-36 Health Survey, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results and discussion Individuals in both groups showed excellent compliance with interventions by attending more than 85% of sessions. Both groups showed a significant change in all outcome measures evaluated (p<0.001), but the galvanic group showed greater improvements when compared with the control group (p<0.001). The galvanic group showed a 16.6% of FIQ score, 8.2% of SF-36 score, 25.0% of BDI score, and 53.2% of VAS score from baseline. In turn, the control group demonstrated a reduction of 6.8% of FIQ score, 11.8% of SF-36 score, 22.0% of BDI score, and 41.6% of VAS score. Conclusion The galvanic group who received galvanic bath therapy along with aerobic exercise for 12 weeks evoked greater change in FIQ, BDI, and SF-36 Health Survey scores compared with results of aerobic exercise alone in control group.

Cervical Joint Position Sense and Its Correlations with Postural Stability in Subjects with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

“…Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic and long-term disorder characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, stiffness, cognitive decline, poor sleep, and psychosocial disabilities [1,2]. All of these complicated symptoms have a negative impact on quality of life, as well as on social and occupational functioning [3,4]. FMS is a prevalent problem that disproportionately affects women [5].…”

Effectiveness of Hydrogalvanic Bath on Improving Pain, Disability, and Quality of Life in Individuals with Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The improvements in the experimental group can be further attributed to the effects of HGBT, which include analgesic, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, improved microcirculation, and reduced sensory impairment activities [ 34 , 42 ]. Warm water in the bath can further enhance the effect of DDC and the buoyancy effect of the water decreases the weight of the upper extremities on the axial skeleton, which further decreases stress on the muscles.…”

Mediation Effect of Pain on the Relationship between Kinesiophobia and Postural Control: Comparison and Correlations in Individuals with Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Asymptomatic Individuals—A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) presents with widespread musculoskeletal complaints, such as pain, fatigue, stiffness, a sense of insufficient sleep, poor physical fitness, and psychological illnesses [ 1 , 2 ]. These factors can significantly impact individuals with FM, leading to increased disability and a decreased quality of life [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Worldwide, FM prevalence is 2–7%, and around 60% of people with fibromyalgia are females [ 6 ].…”