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Current Pain and Headache Reports
Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 8/2013

01-08-2013 | Fibromyalgia (M Peres, Section Editor)

Complementary Therapies for Fibromyalgia Syndrome – A Rational Approach

Authors: Marcelo Saad, Roberta de Medeiros

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 8/2013

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Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex chronic condition, the treatment of which still poses many challenges. Complementary therapies (CT) have gained increasing popularity among FMS patients. Past reviews evaluating effectiveness of CT for treatment of FMS revealed some potential benefits arising from certain modalities. However, with the data available, it becomes difficult to formulate a unique opinion about this matter. In the present paper, the authors propose some guidelines to conciliate the expectations of patients with the lack of solid evidence, in a practicable yet responsible way. Many items should be considered before prescribing, proscribing, or tolerating a CT, besides results from randomized controlled trials, such as efficacy (mechanisms of action); effectiveness (effect in practice); efficiency (cost-benefit ratio); safety; risk-benefit ratio; legislation; healthcare service involvement; practitioner characteristics; objective (purpose); and the potential of combination with conventional treatment.
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Metadata
Title
Complementary Therapies for Fibromyalgia Syndrome – A Rational Approach
Authors
Marcelo Saad
Roberta de Medeiros
Publication date
01-08-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 8/2013
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-013-0354-7

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