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Efficacy of manual lymph drainage and myofascial therapy in patients with fibromyalgia

A systematic review

Wirksamkeit manueller Lymphdrainage und myofaszialer Therapie bei Patienten mit Fibromyalgie

Ein systematischer Überblick

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Abstract

Introduction

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease of unknown origin characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, disordered sleep and joint stiffness among other symptoms.

Objective

To compare outcomes of manual lymph drainage and myofascial therapy in patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods

This was a systematic review. The databases PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, ScieLo, PEDro, Dialnet, Web of Science, and Elsevier were searched for articles in English or Spanish examining the efficacy of myofascial therapy and/or manual lymph drainage to treat fibromyalgia. Of 356 articles extracted, sixteen articles and one doctoral thesis fulfilled the criteria established for inclusion.

Results

The methodological quality of the studies reported in the articles was good (PEDro score 7.49 ± 1.47). The studies included compared different treatments with lymph drainage and/or myofascial therapy. Outcomes indicated improved quality of life for both therapies in all the studies.

Conclusions

Myofascial therapy and lymph drainage may be effective in patients with fibromyalgia. Further work is needed as the scientific evidence available is still insufficient.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung

Fibromyalgie ist eine chronische Erkrankung, die u.a. durch Schmerzen in verschiedenen Körperregionen, Erschöpfung, Schlafstörungen und Gelenksteifigkeit gekennzeichnet ist. Die Ursachen für ihre Entstehung sind nicht bekannt.

Zielsetzung

Ein Vergleich der Ergebnisse, die durch manuelle Lymphdrainage und myofasziale Therapie bei Patienten mit Fibromyalgie erzielt werden.

Methodik

Dies ist ein systematischer Überblick. In den Datenbanken PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, ScieLo, PEDro, Dialnet, Web of Science und Elsevier wurden Artikel in englischer bzw. spanischer Sprache recherchiert, in denen die Wirksamkeit myofaszialer Therapie und/oder manueller Lymphdrainage zur Behandlung von Fibromyalgie untersucht wird. Von den 356 herausgesuchten Artikeln erfüllten sechzehn Artikel und eine Doktorarbeit die für die Berücksichtigung aufgestellten Kriterien.

Ergebnisse

Die methodische Qualität der Studien, über die in den Artikeln berichtet wurde, war gut (PEDro Score 7,49 ± 1,47). In den berücksichtigten Studien wurden verschiedene Behandlungsmethoden mit Lymphdrainage und/oder myofaszialer Therapie verglichen. In allen Studien deuten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass durch beide Therapien eine Verbesserung der Lebensqualität erzielt werden kann.

Schlussfolgerungen

Myofasziale Therapie und Lymphdrainage können bei Patienten mit Fibromyalgie wirksam sein. Es sind weitere Untersuchungen erforderlich, da die verfügbare wissenschaftliche Evidenz noch nicht hinreichend ist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Education and Health, Camilo José Cela University, Urb. Villafranca del Castillo, Calle Castillo de Alarcón, 49, 28692, Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain

    M. Algar-Ramírez PT,  E. Úbeda-D’Ocasar PhD PT &  J. P. Hervás-Pérez PhD PT

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  1. M. Algar-Ramírez PT
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  2. E. Úbeda-D’Ocasar PhD PT
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Correspondence to J. P. Hervás-Pérez PhD PT.

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Conflict of interest

M. Algar-Ramírez, E. Úbeda-D’Ocasar and J.P. Hervás-Pérez declare that they have no competing interests.

For this article no studies with human participants or animals were performed by any of the authors. All studies cited were in accordance with the ethical standards indicated in each case.

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Algar-Ramírez, M., Úbeda-D’Ocasar, E. & Hervás-Pérez, J.P. Efficacy of manual lymph drainage and myofascial therapy in patients with fibromyalgia. Schmerz 35, 349–359 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00482-020-00520-7

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