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FibromyalgiaGuided ImageryHypnosis

Status of hypnosis/guided imagery for fibromyalgia

JR

Researchers in Germany performed a systematic review of the evidence.

First, the details.

  • 6 studies with 239 patients who participated in 7 to 12 hypnosis/guided imagery sessions were analyzed.
  • 3 studies performed follow-up.

And, the results.

  • Hypnosis/guided imagery significantly reduced pain vs controls at final treatment.
  • Hypnosis/guided imagery did not reduce limitations of health-related quality of life at the final treatment vs controls.
  • Limited data prevented an assessment of changes in fatigue, sleep, and depressed mood at final treatment and at follow-up.
  • Similarly, changes in pain and health-related quality of life at follow-up were not calculated because of limited data.
  • The significant effect on pain at final treatment was associated with low methodological and low treatment quality.

The bottom line?

The authors concluded that there’s insufficient evidence to recommend hypnosis/guided imagery as a treatment for fibromyalgia.

More and better research, which focuses on the symptoms of the disease are needed.

9/22/11 21:23 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

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