EFFECTIVENESS OF KINESIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATED WITH PHYTOTHERAPEUTIC MEDICATION IN THE PAIN SYMPTOMS OF PATIENTS WITH FIBROMYALGIA: A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND CLINICAL TRIAL.

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1595282506086

• Palavras-chave: Fibromyalgia; Essential oil; Physical therapy; Chronic pain; Quality of life.

• Keywords: Fibromyalgia; Essential oil; Physical therapy; Chronic pain; Quality of life.

• Abstract:

  Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and emotional symptoms, compromising quality of life. Its prevalence varies between 2% and 5%, predominantly affecting women. Given the limitations of conventional treatments, this study evaluated the effects of a physiotherapeutic intervention associated with the topical application of OEAz—a substance recognized for its anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant properties, although little studied in FM. This is a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study with women diagnosed with FM, divided into EG and CG, comparable in anthropometric data and baseline pain levels. The intervention consisted of kinesiotherapy sessions combined with topical application of OEAz in the EG; the CG received kinesiotherapy with placebo. To assess pain and the impact of FM, specific in l instruments were used: McGill Pain Questionnaire, Numerical Pain Scale (NPS), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Chalder Fatigue Scale. The mean and standard deviation of pain levels were analyzed before and after the sessions to demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention. The results showed a significant reduction in pain in the EG, with a decrease in NPS from 7.40 ± 2.70 to 3.33 ± 1.88. In the CG, the reduction was smaller, from 8.80 ± 0.84 to 6.78 ± 0.95. The difference between groups was statistically significant (p = 0.028) and with a very large effect size (d = -2.32) favorable to the EG. In the QIF, there was an improvement in quality of life and a reduction in the impact on the GE, which went from severe to moderate after the intervention. Although the intergroup differences were not statistically significant, the clinical effect sizes indicated the relevance of the findings (d = -0.89). Fatigue—a prominent symptom in FM—also decreased in the EG, with a drop of more than 30% between baseline and post-intervention (45.50 ± 7.09 to 31.67 ± 6.92). Qualitative analysis of EG reports showed multifaceted improvements: sleep, anxiety, energy, and reduced medication use. In the CG, the reports were more modest. One participant stood out, having stopped using sedatives after 20 years, attributing the improvement to physical therapy. The sessions included multidisciplinary guidance on sleep hygiene, nutrition, and relaxation techniques, promoting adherence and positive results, reinforcing the biopsychosocial approach. It is evident that the combination of kinesiotherapy and topical application of OEAz may be effective in reducing painful symptoms and improving quality of life in FM. Despite the limited sample size, the protocol in the EG showed clinical superiority over the CG, suggesting the potential of OEAz as an adjunct in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Future studies with a larger number of participants and longer follow-up are recommended to confirm the findings and deepen the understanding of the mechanisms involved.