Role of Alternative Therapies in Fibromyalgia in Women A Clinical Study

Abstract

Title: Role of Alternative therapies in Fibromyalgia in Women-A Clinical Study newlineBackground: Fibromyalgia (FM) challenges healthcare with its widespread pain, depression, newlineand fatigue, predominantly affecting women. The limitations of standard treatments highlight newlinethe need for alternative therapeutic strategies. newlineObjectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative therapies, including newlinecognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), manual therapies, and therapeutic exercises, in improving newlineFM symptoms and quality of life for women. newlineMethods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with participants diagnosed with FM, newlinedivided into three groups: Group A (therapeutic exercises and myofascial release), Group B newline(CBT and myofascial release), and Group C (pharmacotherapy and alternative therapies). Key newlineoutcomes measured were pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), FM impact (Revised newlineFibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), and psychological well-being (Depression Anxiety Stress newlineScale), assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. newlineResults: Initial pain scores (VAS) were 6.50 ± 0.80 (Group A), 6.00 ± 0.87 (Group B), and 5.92 newline± 0.97 (Group C). At 12 weeks, significant reductions were observed with mean differences of newline-3.13, -4.32, and -5.03 respectively, indicating substantial pain relief across all groups. FM newlineimpact (FIQR scores) also improved markedly, with reductions of -25.44, -20.34, and -8.14 for newlineGroups A, B, and C, respectively. Psychological well-being enhanced significantly, with newlinedepression scores (DASS-21) reducing to 5.26 ± 1.53 (Group A), 5.68 ± 1.25 (Group B), and newline8.63 ± 2.99 (Group C). newlineConclusion: The study underscores the efficacy of alternative therapies in managing FM, with newlinetherapeutic exercises and manual therapy showing the most significant improvement. These newlinefindings advocate for a tailored, patient-centered approach in FM care, integrating alternative newlinetherapies to enhance quality of life. newlineKeywords: Fibromyalgia, Therapeutic Exercises, Manual Therapies, Cognitive Behavioral newlineTherapy, Qual