Utilizing Electrophysical Agents in Fibromyalgia – A Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia (FM) frequently termed as fibrositis is a discomforting rheumatic syndrome which is associated with spasm, localize and palpable tenderness, chronic fatigue, headache, depression and bowel symptoms. The use of electro physical agents in order to treat FM is still a growing concern. A systematic review was executed to appraise the use of different electro physical agents in FM. METHODS Seventy three articles were reviewed including RCTS, Clinical trials and Experimental studies, highlighting the use of electro physical agents and comparing them with each other. CONCLUSION Fibromyalgia is a syndrome is challenging to comprehend and treat effectively. Patients are looking for substitution therapies due to ineffectiveness and dissatisfaction to the conventional and therapies in trend. Although many results have been found in favor of using different modalities related to physical therapy treatment for FM still specific use of modalities like TENS, biofeedback, magneto and electromagnetic therapies is still a question. Treatment should be given according to the need of patient, targeted symptoms and functional impairments. KEY WORDS Fibromyalgia, TENS, IFC, Heat, Cold, Laser, Ultrasound

Efficacy of electrophysical agents in fibromyalgia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

“…Owing to the fact that electrophysical agents have been shown to play a significant role in modulating pain through conditioned pain modulation, [14][15][16] patients with fibromyalgia are likely to benefit from using them. [17][18][19][20] Although previous studies have reported insufficient data supporting the effectiveness of electrophysical agents in modulating pain, 21 more recent studies suggest that conditioned pain modulation could in the future become a biomarker and guide for mechanismbased treatment in chronic pain. 15,22 Nonetheless, because of variation in classes of interventions, 23 there may be a significant degree of variability among electrophysical agents.…”