Osteopathic manual therapy in fibromyalgia: a pilot study.
Aziz Dengiz, Elif Gur Kabul, Gulsum Tikac et al.
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In 30 seconds
This pilot randomised controlled trial assessed whether adding osteopathic manual therapy to Clinical Pilates improved pain, symptom severity, pressure pain threshold, and sleep in 20 women with fibromyalgia. Participants received Clinical Pilates with (n=11) or without (n=9) manual therapy over 6 weeks. Both groups improved within-group, but between-group comparisons favoured the combined intervention only for sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, p=0.034) and maximal trapezius pressure pain threshold (p=0.035). Differences in widespread pain and symptom severity were not statistically significant.
Key findings
- Between-group improvement in sleep quality favoured manual therapy plus Clinical Pilates (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, p=0.034).
- Maximal pressure pain threshold at the trapezius improved more with the combined intervention than with Clinical Pilates alone (p=0.035).
- Between-group differences in Widespread Pain Index and Symptom Severity Scale changes were not statistically significant (p>0.05).
- Both groups showed significant within-group improvements (p<0.05).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that adding manual therapy to exercise-based rehabilitation may offer benefits for sleep and a measure of pressure pain sensitivity in fibromyalgia. However, the results are preliminary and do not establish added benefit for widespread pain or overall symptom severity. The study helps identify outcomes for evaluation in larger trials.
What to keep in mind
This was a small pilot trial involving 20 women, with a 6-week protocol; larger trials are needed.