Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Kutahya Health Sciences University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Fibromyalgia

Treatments: Other: Sham Manual Lymphatic Drainage; Drug: Medical treatment; Other: Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05436314

MLDfibro

Details and patient eligibility

About

There are limited studies on the use of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in fibromyalgia syndrome. Considering the possible mechanisms of action of MLD and the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia, more studies are needed to fully determine the effect of MLD on this syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage on symptom severity, pain intensity, pressure pain threshold and anxiety about pain in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Full description

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a syndrome of unknown cause, characterized by numerous symptoms such as chronic widespread pain, fatigue, insomnia, joint stiffness, depression, concentration and memory problems, myofascial pain and tender points. The prevalence of FMS in the general population is 2%, and it is a common syndrome. There are studies showing that there is dysfunction in the connective tissue or fascia in FMS that triggers peripheral nociceptor stimulation. Any change in fascial tissue motility can cause an imbalance between body fluids leading to tissue hardening and accumulation of toxins. By stimulating the lymph vessels, metabolic waste products can be eliminated, excess fluid can be reduced, blockages can be removed and the immunological system can be regulated. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used in the treatment of FMS. Exercise, manual therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral treatments, patient education and other physiotherapy modalities are the non-pharmacological methods that are frequently used. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) was developed in 1965 by Dr. It is a manual therapy technique that consists of slow, rhythmic, superficial and repetitive movements defined by Vodder. Many effects that MLD can reveal locally and systemically are discussed. MLD; It stimulates the lymphatic and parasympathetic system, reduces pain, helps regulate the immune system, clears blockages, eliminates metabolic wastes and toxins in the body, and reduces excess fluid. There are limited studies on the use of MLD in fibromyalgia syndrome. Considering the possible mechanisms of action of MLD and the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia, more studies are needed to fully determine the effect of MLD on this syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage on symptom severity, pain intensity, pressure pain threshold and anxiety about pain in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• have fibromyalgia as defined by the criteria of the 2016 ACR
• have Turkish as their native language
• between 18 and 65 years of age

Exclusion criteria

• Having cognitive impairment
• Receiving routine physiotherapy and/or manual therapy, alternative/complementary therapies
• Illiterate people
• Diagnosed with endocrine, neuromuscular, infectious and inflammatory diseases
• Diagnosed severe mental and psychological disorders
• Having malignancy
• Pregnant or people who breastfeed

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Group

Experimental group

Description:

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in addition to medical treatment is applied to participants in this group.

Treatment:

Other: Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Drug: Medical treatment

Sham Group

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Sham Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) in addition to medical treatment is applied to participants in this group.

Treatment:

Drug: Medical treatment

Other: Sham Manual Lymphatic Drainage