Positive Health Online

Abstract

ADIELS and co-authors, Department of Stomatognathic Physiology, The Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Jonkoping, Sweden, anne-marie.adiels@vgregion.se, have tested tactile stimulation as a complementary treatment in patients with fibromyalgia.

Background

Pain of long duration is a common suffering in modern man. One such pain condition is fibromyalgia syndrome. Many of the treatments suggested are not, or only poorly, scientifically investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate if fibromyalgia patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (pain in the joint of the jaw) would respond positively to tactile stimulation in respect of local and/or general symptoms.

Methodology

10 female fibromyalgia-sufferers received tactile stimulation once a week for a 10-week period.

Results

At the end of the trial period, a positive effect on the sensation and physical signs of local pain and also on the general body pain was registered. 8 of the 10 patients also reported better sleep. At follow-up at 3 and 6 months, some signs of relapse could be seen, but there was still a clear effect of the treatment.

Conclusion

The results of this pilot study are so encouraging that they warrant a larger study.

References

Adiels AM, Helkimo M, Magnusson T. Tactile stimulation as a complementary treatment of temporomandibular disorders in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. A pilot study. Swedish Dental Journal 29 (1): 17-25, 2005.