The Combination of Pregabalin with a Complementary Therapy for Patients with Fibromyalgia

Research

Authors

Rekatsina 1, M. Kouri 2, S. Raptopoulou 2, I. Siafaka 2, A. Vadalouca 1

1 Athens Medical Center, Center for Pain Medicine, Athens, Greece
2 1st Anesthesiology Clinic, Pain Relief and PalliativeCare Unit, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Anesthesiology and Pain management, Athens, Greece

Publication Identity

Pain Practice, Volume 20, Issue S1, August 2020 – Wiley Online Library

PDF

DOI:

10.1111/papr.12886

Abstract:

Introduction – Aim
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a debilitating disease characterized by generalized and persistent musculoskeletal pain.
This study is aiming to answer the following questions:

1) Can pregabalin reduce chronic pain and sleep disturbances in this group of patients?

2) Are there any potential effective nonpharmacological treatment options for fifibromyalgia?

Material – Methods
This study is a prospective observational study. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of fifibromyalgia based on the Greek Version of the Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FIRST) with the following inclusion criteria were invited to participate to the study: a) pain ≥ 7 (VAS scale = 7-10), b) pain duration > 3 years, c) referred sleep disturbances, d) no previous treatment with pregabalin /nonpharmacological treatment.

Results
Of the 62 patients who were suffering from fifibromyalgia (March 2018- January 2019), 22 patients met our inclusion criteria. 98% of them were women, aged between 38-62 years old. The patients were prescribed pregabalin 75-600 mg as a pharmacological treatment (1) and also received one complementary reflexology session per week. The 3 months follow-up showed significant improvement both in pain scores (VAS 4-6) and sleep quality. The patients’ satisfaction was also high.

Conclusion
The combination of pregabalin as a pharmacological treatment with a complementary therapy, reduces pain and sleep disturbances in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

References
1) Validation of the Greek Version of the Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool. Zis et al, Pain Practice,2017;
2) Chronic Pain and Sleep Disturbances: A Pragmatic Review of Their Relationships, Comorbidities, and Treatments. Husak AJ, Bair MJ. Pain Med. 2020