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Effects of shiatsu in the management of fibromyalgia symptoms: a controlled pilot study.

Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics
September 1, 2013
Susan L K Yuan et al. (3 authors)
Comparative StudyJournal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of Shiatsu massage on fibromyalgia symptoms, assess patient acceptability, and determine feasibility for a larger study.

Results Summary

Shiatsu massage significantly improved pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, sleep quality, and symptom impact on health, with no adverse effects reported and high patient satisfaction. No clinically relevant effects were observed for anxiety.

Population

Adult patients (33-62 years) with primary fibromyalgia.

Effective Dosage

Full-body Shiatsu twice a week.

Duration

8 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Shiatsu massage
decrease
pain intensity
adult patients with primary fibromyalgia
40.6%
presented statistically significant differences for the change scores
#1
Shiatsu massage
increase
pressure pain threshold
adult patients with primary fibromyalgia
76.4%
presented statistically significant differences for the change scores
#2
Shiatsu massage
increase
sleep quality
adult patients with primary fibromyalgia
34.4%
presented statistically significant differences for the change scores
#3
Shiatsu massage
decrease
symptoms impact on health
adult patients with primary fibromyalgia
22.30%
presented statistically significant differences for the change scores
#4
Shiatsu massage
no change
anxiety
adult patients with primary fibromyalgia
no clinically relevant effects
no clinically relevant effects were observed
#5
Shiatsu massage
no change
adverse effects
adult patients with primary fibromyalgia
no adverse effects
no adverse effects were reported
#6
Shiatsu massage
increase
patient satisfaction
adult patients with primary fibromyalgia
94%
demonstrated satisfaction
#7
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of Shiatsu massage on the symptoms of adult patients with primary fibromyalgia, propose a Shiatsu treatment protocol, verify patient acceptability, and evaluate the feasibility for a larger study. METHODS: Thirty-four patients aged 33 to 62 years were divided into a Shiatsu group (SG; n = 17), who received full-body Shiatsu twice a week for 8 weeks, and a control group (n = 17), who received an educational booklet. The patients were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Pain intensity was evaluated by the visual analog scale, pressure pain threshold by dolorimetry, anxiety by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, sleep by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and symptoms impact on patient's health by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. The SG was also questioned about adverse effects and level of satisfaction. RESULTS: After treatment, the SG presented statistically significant differences (P < .05) for the change scores of all variables, except state anxiety, compared with the control group. Relative percentage changes were considered clinically relevant for visual analog scale (40.6%), pressure pain threshold (76.4%), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (34.4%), and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (22.30%). No clinically relevant effects were observed for anxiety after treatment. No adverse effects were reported during the treatment, and about 94% of the patients demonstrated satisfaction with Shiatsu. CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed the potential of Shiatsu in the improvement of pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, sleep quality, and symptoms impact on health of patients with fibromyalgia. The proposed Shiatsu treatment protocol was feasible and well accepted by the patients.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AcupressureAdultAgedCase-Control StudiesFemaleFibromyalgiaFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedPain MeasurementPain ThresholdPatient SatisfactionPilot ProjectsReference ValuesRisk AssessmentSeverity of Illness IndexTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety94
Efficacy85/10
Quality78/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations14
Citations/Year1.2
Relative Citation Ratio0.75
NIH Percentile39.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.46
Normalized Score0.87
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