Short and Long-Term Results of Connective Tissue Manipulation and Combined Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Çıtak-Karakaya, İlkim; Akbayrak, Türkan; Demirtürk, Funda; Ekici, Gamze; Bakar, Yeşim

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2006.06.019

« Previous Next »Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 29, Issue 7 , Pages 524-528, September 2006

Short and Long-Term Results of Connective Tissue Manipulation and Combined Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia

İlkim Çıtak-Karakaya, PT, PhD (Assist. Prof.)
- Assist. Prof. at Mugla University, Mugla School of Health Sciences, Mugla University, Mugla School of Health Sciences, Mugla, Turkey
- Submit requests for reprints to: Ýlkim Çýtak Karakaya, PhD, PT, Assist. Prof. Mugla University, Mugla Schol of Health Sciences, Mugla, Turkey.
Türkan Akbayrak, PT, PhD (Assoc. Prof.)
- Assoc. Prof. at Hacettepe University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Women's Health Unit, Ankara, Turkey
Funda Demirtürk, PT, PhD (Assist. Prof.)
- Assist. Prof. at Gaziosmanpasa University, School of Physical Education and Sports, Tokat, Turkey
Gamze Ekici, PT, PhD
- Research assistant at Hacettepe University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Women's Health Unit, Ankara, Turkey
Yeşim Bakar, PT, PhD (Assist. Prof.)
- Assist. Prof. at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Kemal Demir School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Bolu, Turkey

Received 17 November 2005; received in revised form 15 March 2006; accepted 26 April 2006.

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term and 1-year follow-up results of connective tissue manipulation and combined ultrasound (US) therapy (US and high-voltage pulsed galvanic stimulation) in terms of pain, complaint of nonrestorative sleep, and impact on the functional activities in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods

This is an observational prospective cohort study of 20 female patients with FM. Intensity of pain, complaint of nonrestorative sleep, and impact of FM on functional activities were evaluated by visual analogue scales. All evaluations were performed before and after 20 sessions of treatment, which included connective tissue manipulation of the back daily, for a total of 20 sessions, and combined US therapy of the upper back region every other session. One-year follow-up evaluations were performed on 14 subjects. Friedman test was used to analyze time-dependent changes.

Results

Statistical analyses revealed that pain intensity, impact of FM on functional activities, and complaints of nonrestorative sleep improved after the treatment program (P < .05).

Conclusion

Methods used in this study seemed to be helpful in improving pain intensity, complaints of nonrestorative sleep, and impact on functional activities in patients with FM.