Additive Complex Ayurvedic Treatment in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome Compared to Conventional Standard Care Alone: A Nonrandomized Controlled Clinical Pilot Study (KAFA Trial)

Kessler, Christian S.; Ostermann, Thomas; Meier, Larissa; Stapelfeldt, Elmar; Schütte, Silvia; Duda, Joachim; Michalsen, Andreas

doi:10.1155/2013/751403

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…39 Assessments conducted after 2 weeks and at a 6 month follow-up indicated comparable, significant improvements on FIQ scores of the impact and symptoms of FM.…”

Section: Other Cam Therapiesmentioning

confidence: 84%

Current Understanding of Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Theories About Causes

HorowitzSala¹

2015

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a challenge to clinicians and patients because of its constellation of symptoms that are frequently shared with other chronic pain conditions, and the lack of a definitive diagnostic test or known cause. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnostic issues and criteria, conventional and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used to treat FM, the evidence base for CAM therapies, and theories of the causes of this complex disorder that affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of millions of patients. Historical Background and EpidemiologyDerived from the Latin term for fibrous tissue (fibro) plus the Greek terms for muscle (myo) and pain (algia), FM is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by chronic widespread pain and fatigue. 1 Symptoms may also include sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, cognitive problems, and depression. Although FM is often considered a rheumatic condition like arthritis, FM does not cause inflammation of-or damage to-the joints, muscles, or other tissues. The syndrome was called "fibrositis" prior to the mid-1970s. 2 The first controlled clinical study validating the symptoms of FM was published in 1981. The idea that FM was interconnected with similar conditions was also proposed in the 1980s. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) published its first diagnostic criteria for FM in 1990, which were later revised.Recent estimates put the prevalence of FM in the United States as ranging from 2% to 8% of the population, second only to osteoarthritis (OA) as the most common "rheumatic" disorder. 3 The prevalence is similar in many other countries. The majority of patients affected are women, although FM can also affect men and children. Diagnostic Issues and CriteriaThere is currently no diagnostic test specifically for FM. In addition, many patients experience symptoms that also characterize other chronic pain disorders, including chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), temporomandibular disorders, and migraine. American College of Rheumatology CriteriaThe ACR developed criteria for classifying FM in 1990; this classification focused on tenderness upon pressure in at least 11 of 18 tender-point sites, in conjunction with widespread pain-defined as pain in 3 of the 4 quadrants of the body. No distinction was found between the diagnoses of primary and secondary FM, so the use of these terms was abandoned. 4 The ACR criteria accelerated research on FM, but were revised in 2010 in response to issues raised regarding the necessity of a tender-point-examination, lack of consideration of nonpain symptoms, and the observation that FM might represent the extreme end of a pain spectrum. 5 Daniel J. Clauw, MD-a professor of anesthesiology, medicine (rheumatology), and psychiatry at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and director of the university's Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center-is among researchers who questioned the clinical utility of the ACR's emphasis on tender points in diagnosing FM. 6 Dr. Clauw com...

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“…39 Assessments conducted after 2 weeks and at a 6 month follow-up indicated comparable, significant improvements on FIQ scores of the impact and symptoms of FM.…”

Section: Other Cam Therapiesmentioning

confidence: 84%

Current Understanding of Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Theories About Causes

HorowitzSala¹

2015

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

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“…As for FMS (Ayurvedic diagnostic approximation: mamsa-gatavata), vata and tamas especially are relevant to the interpretation, diagnosis and treatment of the disease entity. 9 Acharya charaka described the mamsagata vata lakshana's as, heaviness in body parts, different types of muscle aches / pains and fatigue. Virechana (therapeutic purgation), niruha vasti (decoction enema) and vata shamana (pacifying vata dosha) treatments like, snehana (internal and external oleation), swedana (sudation) along with internal medicines are advised for the treatment of mamsagata vata by Charaka Acharya.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ayurvedic Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Case Report

Gupta¹,

Mamidi²

2015

J Pharm Sci Innov

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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome occurs more commonly in women. Its prevalence is estimated around 2% in the general population. Various pharmacological or psychological interventions are of little efficacy and the global prognosis of FM is poor. There was no clarity regarding the concept and management of FM according to Ayurveda. The present article deals with a case of FM managed by Ayurvedic treatment. The Ayurvedic diagnosis of Mamsagata vata with Vishada was made and panchakarma procedures were done. Two assessments were taken before treatment and after follow up on FIQ (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). There was 6.8% of relief on FIQ with two months of treatment. Ayurvedic panchakarma treatment found to be useful in the management of physical signs and symptoms of FM like pain, tenderness, stiffness, constipation, headache, fatigue etc; but it has not provided relief in psychological conditions like depression and anxiety associated with FM.

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“…Ayurvedic medicine for treating obesity has not been rigorously studied in clinical trials, but other complex multimodal Ayurvedic treatments have been studied for efficacy and effectiveness in chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, 25 fibromyalgia, 26 and hepatic cirrhosis. 27 This intervention design offered an innovative and personalized obesity treatment approach focused on lifestyle changes, and diet and exercise modification, delivered according to the constitution/imbalance profile of the patient.…”

Section: Ayurvedic Theory Obesity and Weight Lossmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcomes from a Whole-Systems Ayurvedic Medicine and Yoga Therapy Treatment for Obesity Pilot Study

Rioux

Howerter

2019

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Objectives: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of an Ayurveda/Yoga intervention for weight loss, using dual-diagnosis inclusion criteria, dual-paradigm outcomes, and a semistandardized protocol with tailoring according to the Ayurvedic constitution/imbalance profile of each participant. Design: Seventeen participants enrolled in a weekly intervention for 3 months. Outcome measurements were performed at baseline, postintervention, and 3 and 6 months follow-up. Setting: The intervention was conducted through the University of Arizona, Department of Family and Community Medicine from April through December 2012. Subjects: Participants included 2 men and 15 women recruited from the community of Tucson, AZ using flyers and hospital message boards. Seventeen enrolled and 12 participants provided complete follow-up data. Intervention: Participants met with an Ayurvedic practitioner twice monthly (six times) and followed semistandardized dietary guidelines with individual tailoring to address relevant psychophysiological imbalances obstructing weight loss and a standardized protocol of therapeutic yoga classes three times weekly with recommended home practice of two to four additional sessions. Outcome measures: Primary outcome was weight loss. Other biomedical outcomes included body mass index, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumference, waist to hip ratio, and blood pressure. Unique instruments were designed to collect data on outcomes associated with the Ayurvedic medical paradigm, including dietary changes by food qualities, mood/affect, relationships, and changes in Ayurvedic imbalance profiles. Results: Participants lost an average of 3.5 kg during the 3-month intervention. Weight loss at 3 and 6 months postintervention increased to an average of 5.6 kg and 5.9 kg, respectively. Participants who lost 3% of their body weight during the 12 week intervention, lost on average an additional 3% during the follow-up period. Psychosocial outcomes also improved. No additional services were provided to participants during the followup period. Conclusions: A whole-systems Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga therapy approach provides a feasible promising noninvasive low-cost alternative to traditional weight loss interventions with potential added benefits associated with sustainable holistic lifestyle modification and positive psychosocial changes.

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Additive Complex Ayurvedic Treatment in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome Compared to Conventional Standard Care Alone: A Nonrandomized Controlled Clinical Pilot Study (KAFA Trial)

Cited by 10 publications

References 28 publications

Current Understanding of Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Theories About Causes

Current Understanding of Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Theories About Causes

Ayurvedic Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Case Report

Outcomes from a Whole-Systems Ayurvedic Medicine and Yoga Therapy Treatment for Obesity Pilot Study

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