Status of hypnosis/guided imagery for fibromyalgia
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