Combined Therapy (Ultrasound and Interferential Current) in Patients with Fibromyalgia: Once or Twice in a Week?

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Abstract
Background and Purpose: Combined Therapy (CT) composed of ultrasound and Interferential Therapy has been reported as a cost‐effective, local analgesic intervention on tender points in Fibromyalgia (FM). This study aims to investigate the difference between CT applied once a week and twice a week in patients with FM.Method: Fifty patients with the diagnosis of FM were randomized into two groups (G1 = once a week treatment and G2 = twice a week treatment) with each group containing 25 patients. All eighteen tender points were assessed and treated with CT during each session, over a three‐month time period. Interferential Therapy was modulated at 4,000 Hz of current carrier, 100 Hz of amplitude modulated frequency and at a bearable sensorial threshold of intensity. Pulsed ultrasound of 1 MHz at 20% of 2.5 W/cm² was used. For evaluation, the Visual Analogue Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Post Sleep Inventory and the tender point count were utilized, and the examiner was blinded to the group assignments.Results: G1 and G2 showed a significant improvement in Visual Analogue Scale (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0005, respectively), Tender Points (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Post Sleep Inventory (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in all performed analyses.Conclusion: There is no advantage in increasing the number of sessions of combined therapy in terms of reducing generalized pain, quality of life and sleep quality for patients with FM. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Funding Information
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (05/56816-2)

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