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Low-frequency sound stimulation may reduce FM symptoms
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Low-frequency sound stimulation was shown to reduce pain and sleep symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia, according to researchers from the University of Toronto and the Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.
A cohort of 19 women previously diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) were physically examined to gather information about previous therapies; most offending symptom; medication used; and subjective ratings about pain, mood, insomnia and activities of daily living (ADL). The same physician assessed participants’ ability to sit and stand without pain. Range of motion (ROM) and muscle tone were assessed by a separate doctor of chiropractic medicine. Participants completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS) and the Pain Disability Index (PDI). Mean disease duration was 5.76 years.
All participants underwent a series of twice-weekly low-frequency sound stimulation (LFSS) treatments in a full-body lounge device for 5 weeks. LFSS treatment sessions were administered at 40 Hz and lasted 23 minutes, during which time participants experienced a low hum and vibrotactile sensation. All patients completed the study, and none reported any discomfort or annoyance.
Median pain, mood, ADL and insomnia scores improved by more than 65% at the end of treatment. Subjective assessments of pain and ADL were improved by a median of more than 70%. Just fewer than 90% of patients reported their condition to be much or very much better, and none reported worsening symptoms, according to the researchers.
The median pre-treatment score of 20 on the JSS was reduced to two, and 73.68% of patients reported using a reduced dose of medication. Length of time patients were able to sit or stand increased, and ROM was improved from 25% at baseline to higher than 75% in nine patients. Only three of 19 patients had ROM lower than 25% after treatment.
Two weeks after the cessation of treatment, three patients reported no symptom recurrence, but 68.4% reported recurrence of pain, and sleep disturbances occurred in 17.8%. In those who experienced pain recurrence, median time of onset was 10 days, according to the researchers. – by Shirley Pulawski
Disclosure: The research was funded by the Conrad Institute for Music Therapy Research and the Wilfrid Laurier University.
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