by G Ekici, PT, PhD, et al.
August 20, 2009
Objective: This study analyzed and compared the effects of manual lymph drainage therapy (MLDT) and connective tissue massage (CTM) in women with primary fibromyalgia (PFM).
Methods: The study design was a randomized controlled trial. Fifty women with primary fibromyalgia completed the study. The patients were divided randomly into 2 groups. Whereas 25 of them received manual lymph drainage therapy, the other 25 underwent connective tissue massage. The treatment program was carried out 5 times a week for 3 weeks in each group. Pain was evaluated by a visual analogue scale and algometry. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and Nottingham Health Profile were used to describe health status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data.
Results:
In both groups, significant improvements were found regarding pain intensity, pain pressure threshold, and HRQoL (P < .05).
However, the scores of FIQ-7 (P = .006), FIQ-9 (P = .006), and FIQ-total (P = .010) were significantly lower in the manual lymph drainage therapy group than they were in the connective tissue massage group at the end of treatment.
Conclusions:
• For this particular group of patients, both manual lymph drainage therapy and connective tissue massage appear to yield improvements in terms of pain, health status, and HRQoL.
• The results indicate that these manual therapy techniques might be used in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia.
• However, manual lymph drainage therapy was found to be more effective than connective tissue massage according to some subitems of FIQ (morning tiredness and anxiety) and FIQ total score.
• Manual lymph drainage therapy might be preferred; however, further long-term follow-up studies are needed.
Source: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Feb 2009;32(2):127-33. PMID: 19243724, by School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, Turkey. PMID: 19243724, by Ekici G, Bakar Y, Akbayrak T, Yuksel I. [E-mail: fztgamze@yahoo.com]
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204th most popular article of 795 discussed articles
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Massage therapy
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Posted by: loida_faelnar
Aug 26, 2009 |
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I have FM and I have been on once a week maintenance with my massage therapist who uses both techniques. I agree that these types of massage do help.
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Benefits of massage for fibromyalgia
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Posted by: SallyMSO
Aug 26, 2009 |
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I have fibromyalgia, and find that when I have a weekly massage, that I feel better, and sleep better. I exercise 5 days a week, with a 50+ fitness class which is 1/2 hour of aerobics, and then another half hour of weights, abs, and stretching. I also line dance two days a week. I feel better when I exercise, but notice, also, a very big difference in my over all energy, tenderness, and sleep when I get that weekly massage. I notice the difference when I don't do either, just as I notice a difference if I don't take my Malic Acid and MSM.
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Massage
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Posted by: dmurphy
Sep 16, 2009 |
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Can anyone tell me the difference between Manual Lymph Drainage Therapy and Connective Tissue Massage? I have what my therapist calls "deep tissue" massage, and though it does feel good and relaxes me, I sometimes feel very sore the next couple of days. Am I getting the wrong type of massage?
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