Contribution of Balneotherapy in Fibromyalgia Patients Receiving Conventional Physical Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the role of additional balneotherapy in fibromyalgia patients receiving conventional physical therapy. Materials and Methods: 107 female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia for the first time were studied in two groups. Group 1 included those patients receiving Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, physical therapy modalities including superficial hot and therapeutic ultrasound. Group 2 consisted of patients applied balneotherapy in addition to therapeutic modalities given to the first group. All patients went through a 10-session treatment program. Evaluation was based on Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Quality of Life Short Form-36 (SF-36) before and after the treatment. The total amount of paracetamol tablets consumed was also recorded. Results: In both groups, there was significant improvement in post-treatment pain VAS, FIQ and PSQI scores compared to prior to treatment, but they were more pronounced after the balneotherapy. With balneotherapy, drug consumption was also significantly lower and patients expressed better general health and social function scores of SF-36. Conclusion: In the treatment of fibromyalgia, combination of balneotherapy with the conventional physical modalities can be considered as an effective treatment option as it positively contributes to the patients' pain, functional status, quality of life and sleep, and drug consumption.