Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Pages: 158-163

Journal: European Journal of Physiotherapy

Volume number: 24

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 2167-9169

eISSN: 2167-9177

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2020.1821767

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group

Abstract: 

Objectives: Multimodal rheumatologic complex therapy (MRCT) delivers various modalities of physical therapy (PT) to patients with rheumatic diseases. We conducted a monocentric retrospective analysis of the effects of MRCT on pain and disease activity in patients with primary (PFM) and secondary fibromyalgia (SFM).

Methods: 102 treatment episodes (N) applied to 83 patients (n) with PFM (N = 50;n = 39) and SFM (N = 52,n = 44) were analysed. Of the latter, 23 had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 21 spondyloarthritis (SpA). We evaluated changes in pain intensity, functional status and disease activity before and after a MRCT episode. In addition, we assessed influences of various patient characteristics and analysed treatment responses in PFM and SFM.

Results: MRCT resulted in significant reduction of pain (NRS,p < 0.0001) and disease activity (FIQ,p = 0.001). In SFM, disease activity of the underlying disease (i.e. RA or SpA) was significantly reduced. Various aspects of the disease did not have a significant effect on the outcome parameters. Treatment effects were not significantly different in PFM and SFM.

Conclusion: MRCT significantly decreases pain and disease activity in patients with FM, irrespective of the course of disease, and is equally effective in both PFM and SFM, thus underlining the importance of PT in the treatment of FM.

Harvard Citation style: Klemm, P., Hudowenz, O., Asendorf, T., Dischereit, G., Mueller-Ladner, U., Lange, U., et al. (2022) Multimodal physical therapy for treating primary and secondary fibromyalgia - German multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment, European journal of physiotherapy, 24(3), pp. 158-163. https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2020.1821767

APA Citation style: Klemm, P., Hudowenz, O., Asendorf, T., Dischereit, G., Mueller-Ladner, U., Lange, U., & Tarner, I. (2022). Multimodal physical therapy for treating primary and secondary fibromyalgia - German multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment. European journal of physiotherapy. 24(3), 158-163. https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2020.1821767