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WHOLE-BODY CRYOTHERAPY AN ADJUNCT TREATMENT ON PAIN AND FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY FOR PATIENTS WITH FIBROMYALGIA: A PROOF OF CONCEPT

Abstract

J.J. Laskin1, R. Taiar2, M. Vitenet2, F. Tubez4, G. Dorban3, B. Bouchet4, G. Polidori2, R.F. Legrand2, A. Rapin2, F.C. Boyer2

1University of Montana, Missoula, MT; 2University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France; 3Robert Schuman University College, Libramont Chevigny, Belgium; 4Cryotherapy Pole, Reims, France

Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder which causes fatigue, decrease functional status and sleep disorders. PURPOSE: To determine whether Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBC) would be tolerated by individuals with fibromyalgia and would improve their short-term pain and functional status. METHODS: The study was a randomized controlled trial with one between-subject factor (group) and one within-subject factor (baseline, post study, 2 and 4-weeks post intervention). A sample of convenience of 17 women were randomized into either a WBC (n=8, age=58.9±7.5 yrs) or control group (CON) (n=9, age=53.3±10.5 yrs). The WBC group participated in 10 cryotherapy sessions and was performed (additional to usual care) in a two-stage cryogenic chamber over a duration of 8 days (same time of day, one session per day for the first 4 and last 2 days, 2 sessions per day on days 5 and 6). Duration of each cold exposure session was 3 minutes at a temperature of -110°C. Participants in the CON followed their usual care. The primary outcome measurement was pain intensity (NRS) using a numerical scale. Secondary outcomes included: Owestry disability index (ODI), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in age, baseline pain, number of painful sites, severity scale score or the fibromyalgia scale nor in any of the outcome variables. There was a significant reduction (p=0.002, 95%CI=1.93-6.57) in NRS for the WBC group between the mean baseline measurement (7.25±1.58) and 4-weeks post intervention, (3.00±2.62). This same positive outcome was also observed for the ODI (p=0.007, 95%CI=8.18-42.93) and the DASH (p=0.012, 95%CI=7.12-48.30). These results were not only significant but also were within the reported minimal detectable change and minimal clinically important differences. CONCLUSION: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of WBC in individuals with fibromyalgia. While this group of women tolerate the therapy and even demonstrated some positive short-term benefits this study provides limited support for the notion of using WBC in this population. That said, this study does support the importance of further exploration of this novel therapy.

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