The Efficiency of Kinesiotherapy versus Physical Modalities on Pain and Other Common Complaints in Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Due to its variety of signs and symptoms, there have been numerous attempts to treat fibromyalgia (FM), but a cure has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a complex kinetic therapy program and a combined physical modality program on pain and other common symptoms of FM. Patients and methods: A total of 78 female patients were included in this study; 39 subjects underwent a kinesiotherapy (KT) intervention (combining aerobic and Pilates exercises), and 39 participated in a physical modality (PM) program (including electrotherapy (TENS and low-laser therapy) and thermotherapy). Results: Regarding the parameter of pain assessment, kinesiotherapy demonstrated its superiority both during the treatment period and in the evaluation 3 months after therapy cessation. Both in terms of patient-reported pain (inter-group comparisons: p = 0.000 at T3) and the examination of tender points (inter-group comparisons: p = 0.000 at T3), as well as the algometric assessment, pain was alleviated by the two forms of applied kinetic therapy. The observed functional impairment was statistically significantly influenced (p = 0.001) at the end of the kinetic program application, while for the perceived functional impairment, neither therapy proved superiority over the other at any point of evaluation (inter-group comparisons: p = 0.715 at T3). Regarding the influence of the emotional consequences implied by fibromyalgia, neither the forms of kinesiotherapy nor the chosen physical modalities proved superiority at any point of evaluation (HAQ anxiety inter-group comparisons: p = 0.000 at T3). In conclusion, even though kinesiotherapy had superior influences on fibromyalgia pain in the studied group, the current research lends credence to the significance of non-pharmacological therapy in managing fibromyalgia. Participants demonstrated positive advancements in subjective and objective pain assessments, as well as improvements in functional and emotional well-being.