Effects of shiatsu in the management of fibromyalgia symptoms: a controlled pilot study.
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.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.