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Aim Previous systematic review s have found hydrotherapy to be an effective management strategy for  fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) .  The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the components of hydrotherapy programs used in r and omized controlled trials . Method A systematic review of r and omized controlled trials was conducted . Only trials that have reported significant FMS-related outcomes were included . Data relating to the components of hydrotherapy programs ( exercise type , duration , frequency and intensity , environmental factors , and service delivery ) were analyzed . Results Eleven r and omized controlled trials were included in this review . Overall , the quality of trials was good . Aerobic exercise featured in all 11 trials and the majority of hydrotherapy programs included either a strengthening or flexibility component . Great variability was noted in both the environmental components of hydrotherapy programs and service delivery . Conclusions Aerobic exercise , warm up and cool-down periods and relaxation exercises are common features of hydrotherapy programs that report significant FMS-related outcomes . Treatment duration of 60 minutes , frequency of three sessions per week and an intensity equivalent to 60%–80 % maximum heart rate were the most commonly reported exercise components . Exercise appears to be the most important component of an effective hydrotherapy program for FMS , particularly when considering mental health-related outcomes OBJECTIVE To compare hydrotherapy ( HT ) and conventional physiotherapy ( CP ) in the treatment of fibromyalgia ( FM ) , regarding quality of life ( QOL ) , total sleep time ( TST ) , and total nap time ( TNT ) . METHODS Fifty out patients , all female , 30 - 60 years old , diagnosed with FM , were r and omly assigned to two groups to carry out 3 weeks of treatment with HT or CP . In the beginning and in the end of treatment , patients were evaluated with the SF-36 question naire to measure QOL and the sleep diary for TST and TNT . Data analyses were blind . RESULTS All 24 HT patients increased 1h in TST compared to 19 CP patients . TNT decreased in the HT group . QOL improved for the two groups in all domains when pre- and post-intervention were compared , but there was no difference between groups . CONCLUSION HT is more effective than CP to improve TST and to decrease TNT in FM patients Objectives : To investigated serum cortisol and serum dehydroepi and rosterone-sulphate ( DHEA-S ) levels between fibromyalgia ( FMS ) patients and a control group , and the effect of balneotherapy ( BT ) on these hormones . Methods : Seventy-two patients with FMS and 39 healthy volunteers were included in the study . This prospect i ve and cross-sectional study was carried out in the Medical Faculty , Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic , Cumhuriyet University , Cumhuriyet , Turkey between June 2012 and June 2013 . Patients were divided into 2 groups . There were 40 patients in the first group , consisting of BT and physical therapy ( PT ) administered patients . There were 32 FMS patients in the second group who were only administered PT .  Thirty-nine healthy volunteers were enrolled as a control group . Result : Cortisol was observed to be lower in FMS patients compared with the controls ( 10.10±4.08 μg/dL and 11.78±3.6 μg/dL ; p=0.033 ) . Serum DHEA-S level was observed to be lower in FMS patients compared with the controls ( 89.93±53.96 μg/dL and 143.15±107.92 μg/dL ; p=0.015 ) . Average serum cortisol levels of patients receiving BT were determined to be 9.95±3.20 μg/dL before treatment and 9.06±3.77μg/dL after treatment ; while average serum DHEA-S levels were 77.60±48.05 μg/dL before treatment , and 76.84±48.71 μg/dL after treatment . No significant changes were determined in serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels when measured again after BT and PT . Conclusion : Low levels of serum cortisol and DHEA-S were suggested to be associated with the physiopathology of FMS The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of balneotherapy in the treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome ( FMS ) and to determine if balneotherapy influences serum levels of inflammation markers , IL-1 , PGE2 and LTB4 . 24 primary fibromyalgia female patients diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria were included to the study . Their ages ranged between 33 and 55 years . FMS patients were r and omly assigned in two groups as , group 1 ( n = 12 ) and group 2 ( n = 12 ) . Group 1 received 20-min bathing , once in a day for five days per week . Patients participated in the study for 3 weeks ( total of 15 sessions ) in Denizli . Group 2 did not receive balneotherapy . FMS patients were evaluated by tenderness measurements ( tender point count and algometry ) , Visual Analogue Scale , Beck ’s Depression Index , Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire .  Ten healthy women recruited group three as the controls .  Serum PGE2 , LTB4 and IL1-α levels were measured in all three groups . The biochemical measurements and clinical assessment s were performed before and at the end of general period of therapy . Statistically significant alterations in algometric score , Visual Analogue score , Beck ’s Depression Index and PGE2 levels ( P < 0.001 ) , numbers of tender points ( P < 0.01 ) and Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire score ( P < 0.05 ) were found after the balneotherapy between group 1 and 2 . Mean PGE2 level of FMS patients were higher compared to healthy control group ( P < 0.0001 ) and decreased after the treatment period , only in group 1 ( P < 0.05 ) . As in the group 2 and 3 , detectable IL-1 and LTB4 measurements were insufficient , statistical analysis was performed , only in group 1 . After balneotherapy  IL-1 and LTB4 significantly decreased in group 1 ( P < 0.05 ) . In conclusion , balneotherapy is an effective choice of treatment in patients with FMS relieving the clinical symptoms , and possibly influencing the inflammatory mediators Objective The aim of this study was to compare pool-based exercise and balneotherapy in fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) patients . Methods Fifty female patients diagnosed with FMS according to the American College of Rheumatism ( ACR ) criteria were r and omly assigned to two groups : group 1 ( n=25 ) with pool-based exercise , and in group 2 ( n=25 ) balneotherapy was applied in the same pool without any exercise for 35 min three times a week for 12 weeks . In both groups , pre- ( week 0 ) and post-treatment ( weeks 12 and 24 ) evaluation was performed by one of the authors , who was blind to the patient group . Evaluation parameters included pain , morning stiffness , sleep , tender points , global evaluation by the patient and the physician , fibromyalgia impact question naire , chair test , and Beck depression inventory . Statistical analysis was done on data collected from three evaluation stages . Results Twenty-four exercise and 22 balneotherapy patients completed the study . Pretreatment ( week 0 ) measurements did not show any difference between the groups . In group 1 , statistically significant improvement was observed in all parameters ( P<0.01 ) except for the chair test at both weeks 12 and 24 . In group 2 , week 12 measurements showed significant improvement in all parameters ( P<0.01 ) except for the chair test and Beck depression inventory . Week 24 evaluation results in group 2 showed significant improvements in pain and fatigue according to visual analogue scale ( VAS ) , 5-point scale , number of tender points , algometric and myalgic scores , and patient and physician global evaluation ( P<0.01 and P<0.05 , respectively ) , while improvements were nonsignificant in morning stiffness , sleep , fibromyalgia impact question naire ( FIQ ) , chair test , and Beck depression inventory parameters in this group . Comparison of the two groups based on the post-treatment ( weeks 12 and 24 ) percent changes and difference scores relative to pretreatment ( week 0 ) values failed to show a significant difference between the groups for any parameter except Beck depression inventory ( P<0.01 ) . Conclusion The results of our study showed that pool-based exercise had a longer-lasting effect on some of the FMS symptoms , but statistical analysis failed to show a significant superiority of pool-based exercise over balneotherapy without exercise . While we believe that exercise is a gold st and ard in FMS treatment , we also suggest in light of our results that balneotherapy is among the valid treatment options in FMS , and further research regarding the type and duration of the exercise programs is necessary Abstract . Fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) is a very common rheumatological diagnosis . There are various treatment modalities . This study was planned to investigate the effects of balneotherapy in the treatment of FMS . A total of 42 primary fibromyalgia patients diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria were included in the study . Their ages ranged between 30 and 55 years . Patients were r and omly assigned to two groups . None of them had had a cardiovascular disease before . Group 1 ( n=22 ) received 20-min bathing , once a day and five times per week . Patients participated in the study for 3 weeks ( total of 15 sessions ) . Group 2 ( n=20 ) was accepted as the control group . Patients were evaluated by the number of tender points , Visual Analogue Scale for pain , Beck 's Depression Index for depression , and Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire for functional capacity . Measurements were assessed initially , after the therapy , and at the end of the 6th month . In group 1 , there were statistically significant differences in numbers of tender points , Visual Analogue scores , Beck 's Depression Index , and Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire scores after the therapy program ( P<0.001 ) . Also , 6 months later in group 1 , there was still an improvement in the number of tender points ( P<0.001 ) , Visual Analogue scores , and Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( P<0.005 ) . But there was not a statistical difference in Beck 's Depression Index scores compared to the control group ( P>0.05 ) . Patients with FMS mostly complain about pain , anxiety , and the difficulty in daily living activities . This study shows that balneotherapy is effective and may be an alternative method in treating fibromyalgia patients INTRODUCTION Preliminary studies have suggested that balneotherapy ( BT ) is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for  generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD ) and psychotropic medication withdrawal syndrome .  We carried out a study in 4 spa resorts to assess the efficacy of BT in GAD . METHOD We compared BT to paroxetine in terms of efficacy and safety in a r and omized multicentre study lasting 8 weeks . Patients meeting the diagnostic criteria of GAD ( DSM-IV ) were recruited . Assessment s were conducted using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety ( HAM-A ) and other scales , by a specifically trained and independent physician . The primary outcome measure was the change in the total HAM-A score between baseline and week 8 . RESULTS A total of 237 out patients were enrolled in four centres ; 117 were assigned r and omly to BT and 120 to paroxetine .  The mean change in HAM-A scores showed an improvement in both groups with a significant advantage of BT compared to paroxetine ( -12.0 vs -8.7 ; p<0.001 ) . Remission and sustained response rates were also significantly higher in the BT group ( respectively 19 % vs 7 % and 51 % vs 28 % ) . CONCLUSION BT is an interesting way of treating GAD . Due to its safety profile it could also be tested in resistant forms of generalized anxiety and in patients who do not tolerate or are reluctant to use pharmacotherapies OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of 21 weeks ' progressive strength training on neuromuscular function and subjectively perceived symptoms in premenopausal women with fibromyalgia ( FM ) . METHODS Twenty one women with FM were r and omly assigned to experimental ( FMT ) or control ( FMC ) groups . Twelve healthy women served as training controls ( HT ) . The FMT and HT groups carried out progressive strength training twice a week for 21 weeks . The major outcome measures were muscle strength and electromyographic ( EMG ) recordings . Secondary outcome measures were pain , sleep , fatigue , physical function capacity ( Stanford Health Assessment Question naire ) , and mood ( short version of Beck 's depression index ) . RESULTS Female FMT subjects increased their maximal and explosive strength and EMG activity to the same extent as the HT group . Moreover , the progressive strength training showed immediate benefits on subjectively perceived fatigue , depression , and neck pain of training patients with FM . CONCLUSIONS The strength training data indicate comparable trainability of the neuromuscular system of women with FM and healthy women .  Progressive strength training can safely be used in the treatment of FM to decrease the impact of the syndrome on the neuromuscular system , perceived symptoms , and functional capacity . These results confirm the opinion that FM syndrome has a central rather than a peripheral or muscular basis Abstract . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of balneotherapy on patients with fibromyalgia ( FM ) at the Dead Sea . Forty-eight patients with FM were r and omly assigned to a treatment group receiving sulfur baths and a control group .  All participants stayed for 10 days at a Dead Sea spa .  Physical functioning , FM-related symptoms , and tenderness measurements ( point count and dolorimetry ) were assessed at four time points : prior to arrival at the Dead Sea , after 10 days of treatment , and 1 and 3 months after leaving the spa . Physical functioning and tenderness moderately improved in both groups . With the exception of tenderness threshold , the improvement was especially notable in the treatment group and it persisted even after 3 months . Relief in the severity of FM-related symptoms ( pain , fatigue , stiffness , and anxiety ) and reduced frequency of symptoms ( headache , sleep problems , and subjective joint swelling ) were reported in both groups but lasted longer in the treatment group . In conclusion , treatment of FM at the Dead Sea is effective and safe and may become an additional therapeutic modality in FM . Future studies should address the outcome and possible mechanisms of this treatment in FM patients Objective : Balneotherapy , a domain of medical science , focuses on utilizing the beneficial effects of medicinal waters . Low back pain is among the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders affecting a large proportion of the population during their lifetime . Although small in number , all controlled studies published on this subject have demonstrated the benefits of balneotherapy . This present study was undertaken to compare the effects of hydrotherapy with mineral water vs. tap water on low back pain . Patients and Methods : A single-blind clinical study was carried out to appraise the therapeutic efficacy of reduced sulphurous water on 60 patients with low back pain . 30 subjects took baths in reduced sulphurous mineral water  , whereas the other 30 patients used modified tap water of matching odor . Parameters determined at baseline , after balneo-/hydrotherapy , and at the end of the 3-month follow-up period included the results of the Visual Analogue Scale ( VAS ) score , the modified Oswestry index , mobility of the spine , antalgic posture , tenderness of the paravertebral muscles on palpation , the dose requirements for analgesics , and the efficacy assessed by the investigators and by the patients . Results : Bathing in mineral water result ed in a statistically significant improvement . This was reflected by the VAS ( p < 0.01 ) and manifested by the mitigation of muscle spasm ( p < 0.01 ) , the alleviation of local tenderness ( p < 0.01 ) , the enhanced flexion-extension and rotation of the spine ( p < 0.01 ) as well as by the improvement of the Schober ’s index ( p < 0.01 ) . All these beneficial changes persisted as long as 3 months after the completion of balneotherapy . By contrast , hydrotherapy with tap water result ed only in the temporary improvement of just a single parameter : the VAS score improved significantly ( p < 0.01 ) . Conclusions : Balneotherapy in itself can alleviate  low back pain . As demonstrated by this study , the analgesic efficacy and improvement of mobility accomplished by the use of mineral water is significantly superior to that afforded by hydrotherapy with tap water . Our results clearly establish the beneficial effects of mineral water . Moreover , it is a valuable adjunct to other forms of physical treatment as well as to pharmacotherapy The aim of this r and omized controlled single-blind study is to explore whether addition of mud-pack and hot pool treatments to patient education make a significant difference in short and mild term outcomes of the patients with fibromyalgia . Seventy women with fibromyalgia syndrome were r and omly assigned to either balneotherapy with mud-pack and hot pool treatments ( 35 ) or control ( 35 ) groups . After r and omization , five patients from  balneotherapy group and five patients from control group were dropped out from the study with different excuses . All patients had 6-h patient education programme about fibromyalgia syndrome and were given a home exercise programme . The patients in balneotherapy group had heated pool treatment at 38 ° C for 20 min a day , and mud-pack treatment afterwards on back region at 45 ° C . Balneotherapy was applied on weekdays for 2 weeks . All patients continued to take their medical treatment . An investigator who was blinded to the intervention assessed all the patients before and after the treatment , at the first and the third months of follow-up . Outcome measures were FIQ , BDI and both patient ’s and physician ’s global assessment s.  Balneotherapy group was significantly better than control group at after the treatment and at the end of the first month follow-up assessment s in terms of patient ’s and physician ’s global assessment , total FIQ score , and pain intensity , fatigue , non-refreshed awaking , stiffness , anxiety and depression subscales of FIQ . No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of BDI scores . It is concluded that patient education combined with 2 weeks balneotherapy application has more beneficial effects in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome as compared to patient education alone Objectives : According to the trauma hypothesis , women with fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) are more likely to report a history of sexual and /or physical abuse than women without FMS . In this study , we rely on a community sample to test this hypothesis and the related prediction that women with FMS are more likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder than women without FMS . Methods : Eligibility for the present study was limited to an existing community sample in which FMS and major depressive disorder were prevalent . The unique composition of the original sample allowed us to recruit women with and without FMS from the community . A total of 52 female participants were enrolled in the present FMS group and 53 in the control ( no FMS ) group .  Sexual and physical abuse were assessed retrospectively using a st and ardized telephone interview . Results : Except for rape , sexual and physical abuse were reported equally often by women in the FMS and control groups . Women who reported rape were 3.1 times more likely to have FMS than women who did not report rape ( P < 0.05 ) . There was no evidence of increased childhood abuse in the FMS group . Women with FMS were more likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms ( intrusive thoughts and arousal ) as well as posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis ( P < 0.01 ) . Discussion : With the exception of rape , no self-reported sexual or physical abuse event was associated with FMS in this community sample . In accord with the trauma hypothesis , however , posttraumatic stress disorder was more prevalent in the FMS group . Chronic stress in the form of posttraumatic stress disorder but not major depressive disorder may mediate the relationship between rape and FMS Objective . Increasing research interest and emerging new therapies for treatment of fibromyalgia ( FM ) have led to a need to develop a consensus on a core set of outcome measures that should be assessed and reported in all clinical trials , to facilitate interpretation of the data and underst and ing of the disease . This aligns with the key objective of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology ( OMERACT ) initiative to improve outcome measurement through a data driven , interactive consensus process . Methods . Through patient focus groups and Delphi processes , working groups at previous OMERACT meetings identified potential domains to be included in the core data set . A systematic review has shown that instruments measuring these domains are available and are at least moderately sensitive to change . Most instruments have been vali date d in multiple language s. This pooled analysis study aims to develop the core data set by analyzing data from 10 r and omized controlled trials ( RCT ) in FM . Results . Results from this study provide support for the inclusion of the following in the core data set : pain , tenderness , fatigue , sleep , patient global assessment , and multidimensional function/health related quality of life . Construct validity was demonstrated with outcome instruments showing convergent and divergent validity . Content and criterion validity were confirmed by multivariate analysis showing R square values between 0.4 and 0.6 . Low R square value is associated with studies in which one or more domains were not assessed . Conclusion . The core data set was supported by high consensus among attendees at OMERACT 9 . Establishing an international st and ard for RCT in FM should facilitate future metaanalyses and indirect comparisons To assess the effects of medicinal plants ( MPs ) or related natural products ( RNPs ) on fibromyalgia ( FM ) patients , we evaluate the possible benefits and advantages of MP or RNP for the treatment of FM based on eight r and omized placebo-controlled trials ( RCTs ) involving 475 patients . The method ological quality of all studies included was determined according to JADAD and “ Risk of Bias ” with the criteria in the Cochrane H and book for Systematic Review s of Interventions 5.1.0 . Evidence suggests significant benefits of MP or RNP in sleep disruption , pain , depression , joint stiffness , anxiety , physical function , and quality of life . Our results demonstrated that MP or RNP had significant effects on improving the symptoms of FM compared to conventional drug or placebo ; longer tests are required to determine the duration of the treatment and characterize the long-term safety of using MP , thus suggesting effective alternative therapies in the treatment of pain with minimized side effects Background Fibromyalgia ( FM ) , one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders , is associated with high levels of impaired health and inadequate or limited symptom relief . The cause of this complex syndrome is unknown , and there is no known cure . Numerous research results indicate that a combination of physical exercise and mind-body therapy is effective in symptom management .  T’ai Chi , an ancient Chinese exercise , combines physical exercise with mind-body therapy . Purpose To investigate the effects of T’ai Chi exercise on FM symptoms and health-related quality of life . Design Pilot study , one group pre-to-post posttest design . Methods Participants with FM ( n = 39 ) formed a single group for 6 weeks of 1-hour , twice weekly T’ai Chi exercise classes .  FM symptoms and health-related quality of life were measured before and after exercise . Findings Twenty-one participants completed at least 10 of the 12 exercise sessions . Although the dropout rate was higher than expected , measurements on both the Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) ( Buckhardt , Clark , & Bennett , 1991 ) and the Short Form-36 ( SF-36 ) ( Ware & Sherbourne , 1992 ) revealed statistically significant improvement in symptom management and health-related quality of life . Implication s for Nursing Research Knowledge of interventions to enhance health for the patient with musculoskeletal problems is a National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses priority . T’ai Chi is potentially beneficial to patients with FM . Further research is needed to support evidence -based practice Objective . To assess the one-year effectiveness on weight loss of a 3-week balneotherapy program ( BT ) . Method . A Zelen double consent r and omised controlled trial to compare one-year BMI loss between a 3-week  BT program versus usual care ( UC ) for overweight or obese patients ( BMI : 27–35 kg/m2 ) , associated or not with a dietary motivational interview ( DMI )  during the follow-up , using a 2 × 2 factorial design . Main analysis was a per protocol analysis comparing patients attending BT to patients managed by UC , matched on sex , overweight or obese status , DMI r and omisation and a propensity score to attend BT or to be managed by UC . Results . From the 257 patients who completed the follow-up , 70 patients of each group could be matched . Mean BMI loss was 1.91 kg/m2 [ 95%CI : 1.46 ; 2.35 ] for the BT patients and 0.20 kg/m2 [ −0.24 ; 0.64 ] for the UC patients ( P < 0.001 ) , corresponding to a significant BT benefit of 1.71 kg/m2 [ 1.08 ; 2.33 ] . There was no significant effect of DMI and no interaction with BT or UC . No adverse reaction was observed for patients attending BT . Conclusion . A 3-week BT program provided a significant one-year benefit over the usual GP dietary advice for overweight and obese patients OBJECTIVE Fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) is a chronic rheumatological condition which could be characterized by generalized pain and fatigue . Cognitive and behavioral therapy has been found to be a suitable technique in the management of FMS . This study intends to evaluate the efficacy of electromyography ( EMG ) biofeedback to reduce pain in patients with FMS . MATERIAL S AND METHODS A r and omized controlled trial involving two groups of FMS patients , one receiving EMG biofeedback and the other a sham biofeedback  , was carried out . The assessment tools included in the study were fibromyalgia impact question naire ( FIQ ) , visual analogue scale ( VAS ) , six-minute walk test ( SMWT ) and number of tender points ; and tenderness of each tender point was done for both the groups . STATISTICS A Student 's ' t ' test was used to study the test for significance . RESULTS After using biofeedback , the mean VAS scores and the mean number of tender points were found to be 3 out of 10 and 6 out of 18 respectively . Subjective analysis from both groups showed improvement in physical and psychological realms . Statistical significance . CONCLUSION Biofeedback as a treatment modality reduces pain in patients with FMS , along with improvements in FIQ , SMWT and the number of tender points Background Patients with fibromyalgia ( FM ) experience pain as well as deficits in positive affect and social relations that are not explicitly addressed in most behavioral treatments . Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a 12-module online intervention targeting socioemotional regulation via mindful awareness/acceptance ( MSER ) with those of an attention-control treatment , healthy lifestyle tips ( HT ) . Methods Seventy-nine FM patients were r and omly assigned to MSER or HT , with outcomes assessed via online diary reports of pain , coping efficacy , affect , and social relations . Multilevel analyses revealed greater improvements in social functioning , positive affect , and coping efficacy for pain and stress ( all ps < .05 ) in MSER versus HT across the 6-week trial . Conclusions FM patients experience increases in self-efficacy for coping with pain and positive engagement in relationships , marginal increases in positive affect , and decreases in relationship stress from an automated online intervention that targets socioemotional regulation skills . Findings highlight the potential utility of widely accessible , low-cost intervention methods for fibromyalgia ( Clinical trials.gov number NCT01748786 ) OBJECTIVE There are no studies investigating the efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in primary fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) . We conducted a r and omized controlled trial evaluating an adapted form of individual short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy ( ASTPP ) versus primary care management ( TAU ) . The study focused on FMS patients with psychiatric comorbidity . METHODS Forty-six female patients with FMS and an International Classification of Diseases , 10th Revision diagnosis of a comorbid depression or anxiety disorder were recruited in a hospital setting . Participants were r and omized to receive either ASTPP ( 25 sessions , 1 session/week ) or TAU ( 4 consultations/6 months ) . Outcome measures included the Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) , the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS ) , the Pain Disability Index , the Symptom Checklist 27 and the health-related quality of life . Primary endpoints of the outcome assessment were the FIQ total score and the HADS depression scale at 12-month follow-up . RESULTS Both treatments were effective in reducing the FIQ total score ( ES=0.56 and ES=0.75 , respectively ) . Intent-to-treat analyses failed to provide evidence suggesting a marked superiority of individual psychodynamic psychotherapy as compared to TAU . CONCLUSIONS A high-st and ard routine treatment focusing on the improvement of health behavior and including antidepressant and analgesic medication is equally effective as a short-term individual psychodynamic psychotherapy in improving fibromyalgia-related symptoms Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of injection of serotonin ( 5‐HT ) into the masseter muscle on pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia .  Twelve female patients with fibromyalgia ( FM ) and 12 age‐matched female healthy individuals ( HI ) participated in the study . The current pain intensity ( CPI ) and the pressure pain threshold ( PPT ) of the superficial masseter muscles were assessed bilaterally . 5‐HT in one of three r and omized concentrations ( 10−3 , 10−5 , 10−7 M ) or isotonic saline was then injected into either of the two masseter muscles in a double‐blind manner . After the injections the CPI and PPT were recorded ten times during 30 min . The injections were repeated twice with the other concentrations of 5‐HT after 1 and 2 weeks , respectively . In the FM‐group there was a non‐significant increase of CPI after injection that lasted during the entire 30‐min period irrespective of whether 5‐HT or saline was injected . Neither did the PPT change significantly . In the HI‐group pain developed significantly after injection irrespective of whether 5‐HT or saline was injected , but significantly more so after 5‐HT at 10−3 M than saline injection . CPI decreased quickly and then remained on a very low level for most of the experiment . 5‐HT at both 10−5 M and 10−3 M caused a significantly greater decrease of PPT than saline . In conclusion , our results show that 5‐HT injected into the masseter muscle of healthy female subjects  elicits pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia , while no such responses occur in patients with fibromyalgia OBJECTIVES To propose methods for mixed treatment comparisons ( MTC ) based on pooled summaries of the type produced in overviews of review s. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Overviews of review s ( umbrella review s ) summarize the results of multiple systematic review s into a single document . They report the summary estimates from the original pairwise meta-analyses and discuss them in narrative form , with the intention of identifying the most effective treatment . We present methods for MTC synthesis , tailored for use with overviews of review s. These generate a single internally consistent summary of all the relative treatment effects and assessment s of whether the summary is consistent with the data . These methods are applied to a published overview of treatments for childhood nocturnal enuresis . We apply the methods to both fixed-effect ( FE ) and r and om-effects ( RE ) meta-analyses of the original trials . RESULTS The summary relative risks based on FE meta-analyses , as originally published , were highly inconsistent . Those based on RE meta-analyses were consistent and could , given st and ard assumptions on comparability of treatment effects in meta- analysis , form a basis for coherent decision making . CONCLUSION Along with the summaries from systematic review s , MTC methods should be used in overviews to provide a single coherent analysis of all treatment comparisons and to check for evidence consistency We aim ed to evaluate the effectiveness of balneotherapy in  fibromyalgia management .  Fifty women with fibromyalgia under pharmacological treatment were r and omly assigned to either the balneotherapy ( 25 ) or the control ( 25 ) group . Four patients from the balneotherapy group and one patient from the control group left the study after r and omization . The patients in the balneotherapy group ( 21 ) had 2 thermomineral water baths daily for 2 weeks in Tuzla Spa Center . The patients in the control group ( 24 ) continued to have their medical treatment and routine daily life . An investigator who was blinded to the study arms assessed the patients . All patients were assessed four times ; at the beginning of the study , at the end of the 2nd week , the 1st month , and the 3rd month after balneotherapy . Outcome measures of the study were pain intensity , Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) , Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI ) , patient ’s global assessment , investigator ’s global assessment , SF-36 scores , and tender point count .  Balneotherapy was found to be superior at the end of the cure period in terms of pain intensity , FIQ , Beck Depression Inventory , patient ’s global assessment , investigator ’s global assessment scores , and tender point count as compared to the control group . The superiority of balneotherapy lasted up to the end of the 3rd month , except for the Beck Depression Inventory score and the investigator ’s global assessment score . Significant improvements were observed in PF , GH , and MH subscales of SF-36 during the study period in the balneotherapy group ; however , no such improvement was observed in the control group . Balneotherapy was superior only in VT subscale at the end of therapy and at the end of the third month after the therapy as compared to the controls . It was concluded that balneotherapy provides beneficial effects in patients with fibromyalgia Introduction Unscheduled hospital admissions are an increasing burden on health systems worldwide . To date , initiatives to reduce admissions have had limited success as it is unclear which strategies effectively reduce admissions and are supported by a strong evidence -base . Therefore , we will conduct an overview to find , assess and summarise all published peer- review ed systematic review s of r and omised controlled trials that examine the effect of an intervention on  unplanned admissions among adults . Methods and analysis This is a protocol for a systematic overview of review s. We will search four data bases : Ovid MEDLINE , PubMed , Cochrane Data base of Systematic Review s and the Cochrane Data base of Abstract s of Review s of Effects . We will consider systematic review s and meta-analyses of r and omised controlled trials in adults ( ≥16 years old ) evaluating the effect of any intervention on unscheduled hospital admissions including those to treat , monitor , diagnose or prevent a health problem . We will only include review s that identified unscheduled hospitalisations as a prespecified outcome . Two authors will independently screen articles for inclusion using a priori criteria . We will assess the quality of included review s and extract ratings of the quality of evidence from within each review . We will create a hierarchical list of interventions based on estimates of absolute admission reductions and the quality of the evidence . Presentation of results will align with guidelines in the Cochrane H and book of Systematic Review s of Interventions and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review s and Meta- Analysis statement . Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval is not required . We will su bmi t the results of this study for peer- review publication . The results will inform future research and could be used by healthcare managers , administrators and policymakers to guide re source allocation decisions and inform local implementation and optimisation of interventions to reduce unscheduled hospital admissions Abstract : Fibromyalgia ( FS ) is an idiopathic chronic pain syndrome defined by widespread non-articular musculoskeletal pain and generalised tender points . As there is no effective treatment , patients with this condition have impaired quality of life ( QoL ) . The aim of this study was to assess the possible effect of balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area on the QoL of patients with FS . Forty-eight subjects participated in the study ; half of them received balneotherapy , and half did not . Their QoL ( using SF-36 ) , psychological well-being and FS-related symptoms were assessed prior to arrival at the spa hotel in the Dead Sea area , at the end of the 10-day stay , and 1 and 3 months later . A significant improvement was reported on most subscales of the SF-36 and on most symptoms . The improvement in physical aspects of QoL lasted usually 3 months , but on psychological measures the improvement was shorter . Subjects in the balneotherapy group reported higher and longer-lasting improvement than subjects in the control group . In conclusion , staying at the Dead Sea spa , in addition to balneotherapy , can transiently improve the QoL of patients with FS . Other studies with longer follow-up are needed to support our findings OBJECTIVE To examine prospect ively the accuracy of an initial diagnosis for fibromyalgia ( FM ) . METHODS All patients newly referred for rheumatology consultation in a 6-month period were evaluated prospect ively for either a preceding , current or subsequent diagnosis of FM . Clinical characteristics , previous and subsequent management and health care utilization were assessed . The final diagnosis at 6 months was verified and accuracy regarding the diagnosis of FM was assessed . RESULTS Seventy six ( 12 % ) of all new patients were either referred with a question of FM or finally diagnosed with FM . At the final evaluation the accuracy of the diagnosis regarding FM by either the referring physician or by the rheumatologist at the time of the initial visit was correct in 34 % of patients . The FM group in comparison with those with some other rheumatological diagnosis had more tender points ( 12.5 vs 4 ) and were more fatigued . In contrast , prolonged early morning stiffness and limitation of lumbar spinal mobility in more than one plane was more common in the non-FM group . CONCLUSION There is a disturbing inaccuracy , mostly observed to be overdiagnosis , in the diagnosis of FM by referring physicians . This finding may help explain the current high reported rates of FM and caution physicians to consider other diagnostic possibilities when addressing diffuse musculoskeletal pain Summary In patients with fibromyalgia syndrome , we investigated the effects of adequately optimized serum calcifediol levels on their perception of pain , health‐related quality of life , and comorbidities . ABSTRACT The role of calcifediol in the perception of chronic pain is a widely discussed subject . Low serum levels of calcifediol are especially common in patients with severe pain and fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) . We lack evidence of the role of vitamin D supplementation in these patients . To our knowledge , no r and omized controlled trial has been published on the subject . Thirty women with FMS according to the 1990 and 2010 American College of Rheumatology criteria , with serum calcifediol levels < 32 ng/mL ( 80 nmol/L ) , were r and omized to treatment group ( TG ) or control group ( CG ) . The goal was to achieve serum calcifediol levels between 32 and 48 ng/mL for 20 weeks via oral supplementation with cholecalciferol . The CG received placebo medication . Re‐evaluation was performed in both groups after a further 24 weeks without cholecalciferol supplementation . The main hypothesis was that high levels of serum calcifediol should result in a reduction of pain ( visual analog scale score ) . Additional variables were evaluated using the Short Form Health Survey 36 , the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale , the Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire , and the Somatization subscale of Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised . A marked reduction in pain was noted over the treatment period in TG : a 2 ( groups ) × 4 ( time points ) variance analysis showed a significant group effect in visual analog scale scores . This also was correlated with scores on the physical role functioning scale of the Short Form Health Survey 36 . Optimization of calcifediol levels in FMS had a positive effect on the perception of pain . This economical therapy with a low side effect profile may well be considered in patients with FMS . However , further studies with larger patient numbers are needed to prove the hypothesis Introduction In 2008 , the UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group ( NOGG ) produced a guideline on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis , with an up date in 2013 . This paper presents a major up date of the guideline , the scope of which is to review the assessment and management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fragility fractures in postmenopausal women and men age 50 years or over . Methods Where available , systematic review s , meta-analyses and r and omised controlled trials were used to provide the evidence base . Conclusions and recommendations were systematic ally grade d according to the strength of the available evidence . Results Review of the evidence and recommendations are provided for the diagnosis of osteoporosis , fracture-risk assessment , lifestyle measures and pharmacological interventions , duration and monitoring of bisphosphonate therapy , glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis , osteoporosis in men , postfracture care and intervention thresholds . Conclusion The guideline , which has received accreditation from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence ( NICE ) , provides a comprehensive overview of the assessment and management of osteoporosis for all healthcare professionals who are involved in its management Osteopathic physicians caring for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome ( FM ) often use osteopathic manipulative treatment ( OMT ) in conjunction with other forms of st and ard medical care . Despite a growing body of evidence on the efficacy of manual therapy for the treatment of selected acute musculoskeletal conditions , the role of OMT in treating patients with chronic conditions such as FM remains largely unknown . Twenty-four female patients meeting American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM were r and omly assigned to one of four treatment groups : ( 1 ) manipulation group , ( 2 ) manipulation and teaching group , ( 3 ) moist heat group , and ( 4 ) control group , which received no additional treatment other than current medication . Participants ' pain perceptions were assessed by use of pain thresholds measured at each of 10 bilateral tender points using a 9-kg dolorimeter , the Chronic Pain Experience Inventory , and the Present Pain Intensity Rating Scale . Patients ' affective response to treatment was assessed using the Self-Evaluation Question naire . Activities of daily living were assessed using the Stanford Arthritis Center Disability and Discomfort Scales : Health Assessment Question naire . Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale . Significant findings between the four treatment groups on measures of pain threshold , perceived pain , attitude toward treatment , activities of daily living , and perceived functional ability were found . All of these findings favored use of OMT . This study found OMT combined with st and ard medical care was more efficacious in treating FM than st and ard care alone . These findings need to be replicated to determine if cost savings are incurred when treatments for FM incorporate nonpharmacologic approaches such as OMT OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiorespiratory fitness and perceived exertion of female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) compared with that of healthy female subjects . DESIGN AND SUBJECTS This was design ed as a cross-sectional case-control study , with a consecutive sample of 30 female patients with FMS and an age-matched control group of 67 healthy female subjects . SETTING This study was conducted at the multidisciplinary pain center of a university hospital in a city of more than 1 million inhabitants . OUTCOME MEASURES A cardiorespiratory fitness index ( PWC65%/kg ) and an original perceived exertion index ( B65 % ) were obtained from the  heart rates and perceived exertions scored on a 10-point Borg scale during a submaximal cycle ergometer test .  Average indexes for the FMS patients and control subjects were compared . RESULTS The mean cardiorespiratory fitness index of the FMS patients was not significantly different from that of the controls . The mean perceived exertion index in the FMS patients was significantly greater than that of the controls , meaning that the FMS patients systematic ally reported higher ratings of perceived exertion during exercise . CONCLUSIONS Cardiorespiratory fitness , as expressed by a submaximal work capacity index , seems normal in female patients with FMS compared with age- and sex-matched healthy individuals . The fact that FMS patients overscore their perception of exertion may be due to a greater overlap of peripheral pain and perceived exertion perceptions during exercise . This observation should be noted when using perceived exertion scores to prescribe and monitor exercise in FMS patients Evidence -based recommendations support the use of multimodal therapy and hydrotherapy for fibromyalgia syndrome ; however , there is little st and ardisation of such programmes . The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a pool-based exercise using deep water running ( DWR ) as part of a multimodal physiotherapy programme for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome . For a non-r and omised clinical study , 44 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia were recruited from primary care . Patients in the experimental group received a multimodal programme incorporating pool-based exercise using DWR three times a week for an 8-week period . The control group received a leaflet containing advice and continued with normal activities . Patients were evaluated for physical function ( Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire , FIQ ) , pain , general health ( Short Form-12 Health Survey ) and quality of life ( European Quality of Life Scale-5D ) pre- and post intervention . Statistically significant results were found for the experimental group for FIQ total score , incorporating physical function , pain , fatigue , stiffness and psychological variables ( p < 0.05 ) . Statistically significant differences between the experimental group and control were also found for general health ( p < 0.05 ) and quality of life ( p < 0.05 ) . The results of this pilot study and the high level of compliance and adherence and low level of attrition suggest that this multimodal programme incorporating DWR is a safe and effective intervention for fibromyalgia syndrome that is acceptable to patients ABSTRACT Objective : Fibromyalgia ( FM ) patients present with widespread chronic pain and other symptoms . Some studies in the literature have reported inconsistent results after a Qigong exercise intervention in patients with FM . The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a home-based Qigong exercise in patients with FM . Methods : A total of 14 subjects were r and omly assigned into one of two groups . The experimental group went through a six-week Qigong exercise program involving meditation , deep breathing , and synchronized rhythmic body movements . The control group took part in a sham Qigong exercise program using the same body movements also for six weeks . Clinical assessment s at baseline and end of intervention used the Short-Form McGill Pain Question naire , Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory , Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index , and Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire . Results : Group mean scores of four measurements were significantly ( p < .0125 ) reduced in the intervention group , but not in the control group . The percentage changes in the four measurements were 44.2 % , 24.8 % , 37.3 % , and 44.3 % in the intervention group , and 10.1 % , 6.3 % , 9.9 % , and 11.8 % in the control group . Conclusion : Qigong exercise may potentially be an effective self-management approach in controlling FM symptoms . In this pilot study , regular daily Qigong exercise , accumulated number of exercise sessions , and the specific form of Qigong exercise may all be important factors for the significant improvement in the study subjects . Future research is required to determine whether the same benefit can be obtained in a larger sample The aim of the study was to evaluate the subjective functional outcome of  total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) in patients who underwent hydrotherapy ( HT ) 6 months after discharge . A prospect i ve r and omized study was performed on 70 elderly in patients with recent THA , who completed a rehabilitation program . After r and omization , 33 of them were treated in conventional gyms ( no-hydrotherapy group = NHTG ) and 31 received HT ( hydrotherapy group = HTG ) . Interviews with the Western-Ontario MacMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index ( WOMAC ) were performed at admission , at discharge and 6 months later . Kruskal-Wallis , Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were applied for statistical analysis . Both groups improved . Pain , stiffness and function were all positively affected . Statistical analysis indicated that WOMAC sub-scales were significantly lower for all patients treated with HT . The benefits at discharge still remained after 6 months . We conclude that HT is recommended after THA in a geriatric population Objectives : Cognitive-behavioral therapies ( CBT ) for fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) are important interventions in the management of this condition . Empirical evidence reports that although the results are promising , further research is needed to respond more appropriately to these patients . This study focuses on exploring the use of Virtual Reality ( VR ) as an adjunct to the activity management component . The aim of this study is to present the results of a small-sized r and omized controlled trial to test the preliminary efficacy and acceptability of this component . Material s and Methods : The final sample was composed of 61 women diagnosed with FMS according to the American College of Rheumatology . The sample was r and omly allocated to 2 conditions : VR treatment and treatment as usual . Results : Participants in the VR condition achieved significant improvements in the primary outcome : disability measured with the FIQ . The improvement was also significant in secondary outcomes , such as perceived quality of life and some of the coping strategies included in the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory : task persistence and exercise . There were no differences in other secondary outcome measures like pain intensity and interference and depression . Participants reported high satisfaction with the VR component . Discussion : The effects were related to the psychological aspects targeted in the treatment . The component was well accepted by FMS patients referred from a public hospital . These findings show that the VR component could be useful in the CBT treatment of FMS and encourage us to continue exploring the use of integrating VR with CBT interventions for the treatment of FMS The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Stanger bath on the treatment of fibromyalgia ( FM ) . Fifty women with FM were r and omly divided into two groups . The first group ( n=25 ) was treated with amitriptyline , 10 mg/day for 8 weeks , and Stanger bath , 20 min daily for ten sessions . The second group ( n=25 ) only had amitriptyline , 10 mg/day for 8 weeks . In the first group the assessment parameters were measured before ( t1 ) , at the end ( t2 ) , and 2 months after the hydrotherapy ( t3 ) . In the second group these parameters were examined before ( T1 ) and 2 months after the treatment ( T2 ) . Patients were evaluated by number of tender points and Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) scores . There was significant improvement in number of tender points between t1 and t2 ( P<0.01 ) and t1 and t3 ( P<0.001 ) in the Stanger bath group . In addition , there was significant improvement in FIQ scores between t1 and t2 ( P<0.001 ) and t1 and t3 ( P<0.01 ) in the Stanger bath group . In the second group we observed significant improvement in FIQ scores and tender point numbers between T1 and T2 ( P=0.00 ) . We did not find any difference between groups in tender point number percent change ( p=0.074 ) . However , we observed statistically significant improvement in percent change of FIQ scores  in Stanger bath group ( −30±16.7 ) when compared to group 2 ( −19.3±13 ) ( p=0.016 ) . We conclude that Stanger bath therapy when combined with amitriptyline has a long lasting effect and better outcome in FM patients Introduction Delay to presentation with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome ( ACS ) is common meaning many fail to achieve optimal benefit from treatments . Interventions have had variable success in reducing delay . Evidence suggests inclusion of behaviour change techniques ( BCTs ) may improve effectiveness of interventions but this has not yet been systematic ally evaluated . Data from other time-critical conditions may be relevant . Methods and analysis A systematic review will be undertaken to identify which BCTs are associated with effective interventions to reduce patient delay ( or prompt rapid help-seeking ) among people with time-critical conditions ( eg , chest pain , ACS , lumps , stroke , cancer and meningitis ) . A systematic search of a wide range of data bases ( including Cochrane Library , MEDLINE , EMBASE , CINAHL , PsycInfo ) and grey literature will be undertaken to identify all relevant intervention studies ( r and omised controlled trials , controlled clinical trials and cohort studies ) . Two independent review ers will screen abstract s to identify relevant studies , apply inclusion criteria to full papers , assess method ological quality and extract data . Primary outcome measure Change in patient decision time BCTs reported in each of the included studies will be categorised and presented according to the latest reliable taxonomy . Results of included studies will be synthesis ed , exploring relationships between inclusion of each BCT and effectiveness of the overall intervention . Where possible , means and SDs for differences in delay time will be calculated and combined within meta-analyses to derive a st and ardised mean difference and 95 % CI . Analysis of ( 1 ) all time-critical and ( 2 ) ACS-only interventions will be undertaken . Ethics and dissemination No ethical issues are anticipated . Results will be su bmi tted for publication in a relevant peer- review ed journal OBJECTIVE Multidisciplinary treatments ( MTs ) are usually recommended for reducing fibromyalgia ( FM ) symptoms and include physical exercise , drug management , education , and cognitive behavior therapy ( CBT ) . However , there is no evidence that CBT adds efficacy to the other therapeutic components . This r and omized controlled trial analyzed the response of FM patients to two MTs , with and without CBT , according to the presence of concurrent symptoms . METHODS Eighty-three women with FM were r and omly assigned to MT or combined MT and CBT . The MT included medical intervention , physical training , education , and discussion of the syndrome . The CBT focused on coping with stress , modifying lifestyles , and changing pain behaviors . Demographic and clinical data , information regarding tender points , and question naire responses about functional capability [ Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) ] , health status [ 36-item Short Form Health Survey ( SF-36 ) ] , and mental health [ Symptom Checklist-90-Revised ( SCL-90-R ) ] were obtained at the beginning , at the end of the 15-week treatment , and at 6-month follow-up . Subgroups are identified in relation to treatment response . RESULTS Sixty-six women ( 80 % ) completed treatment . Although the variance of the total sample had changed at posttreatment ( F=2.67 , P=.031 ) , there was no significant effect for the TimexTreatment interaction ( F=1.65 , P=.16 ) . Univariate tests detected a significant fall in the FIQ score . The subgroup of patients with fatigue showed a better response with MT+CBT than with MT . At 6-month follow-up , the statistical differences had been maintained . Intention-to-treat analysis ratified these results . CONCLUSIONS MT improves functional capability and reduces symptom impact . CBT increases mildly the effect of MT in patients with fatigue Bathing in water ( balneotherapy or spa therapy ) has been frequently and widely used in classical medicine as a cure for diseases . This paper review s the present literature on the use of balneotherapy in dermatologic , chronic musculoskeletal ( inflammatory and non-inflammatory ) , metabolic and psychological conditions . We performed a systematic review on related papers appearing in the Medline and Cochrane Library data base from 1966 to 2003 that included r and omized controlled and non-r and omized clinical trials using balneotherapy . We also determined to reflect where possible the chemical compositions of spas . The major dermatologic and musculoskeletal diseases that are frequently treated by balneotherapy with a remarkable rate of success are atopic dermatitis , psoriasis , rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) , ankylosing spondylitis , osteoarthritis and low back pain . Moreover , the effects of spa therapy on several metabolic conditions are discussed . The mechanisms by which broad spectrums of diseases respond to spa therapy probably incorporate chemical , thermal and mechanical effects . The importance of balneotherapy either alone or as complement to other therapies should be considered after , or accompanying , orthodox medical treatments This article describes an ongoing , long-term clinical exercise program for women with fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) , some of whom also have chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome ( CFIDS ) . The recorded outcomes from the most recent year of the program also are reported . Participants engaged in sessions lasting 50 - 70 minutes , 5 days per week ; each session involved aerobic activity , resistance training , and other dynamic exercise . One group was in the program for 3 years and another group was in the program for 2 years . Program outcomes for the year ( comparing beginning and end-of-year results ) are presented for both groups on physical fitness , psychosocial , and FMS/CFIDS symptoms . The outcomes support that all of the women appear to have benefited from the program in numerous ways , suggesting that the program works . Also , those outcomes are in agreement with past research reported in this journal . Implication s for clinical nurse specialists working with FMS/CFIDS patients are discussed Background The role of vitamin D in management of depression is unclear . Results from observational and emerging r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) investigating the efficacy of vitamin D in depression lack consistency - with some suggesting a positive association while others show a negative or inconclusive association . Methods / Design The primary aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of RCTs to assess the effect of oral vitamin D supplementation versus placebo on depression symptoms measured by scales and the proportion of patients with symptomatic improvement according to the authors ’ original definition . Secondary aims include assessing the change in quality of life , adverse events and treatment discontinuation . We will conduct the systematic review and meta- analysis according to the recommendations of the Cochrane H and book for Systematic Review s of Interventions . We will search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials ( CENTRAL ) , MEDLINE ( 1966 to present ) , EMBASE ( 1980 to present ) , CINAHL ( 1982 to present ) , PsychINFO ( 1967 to present ) and Clinical Trials.gov . Unpublished work will be identified by search ing two major conferences : the International Vitamin Conference , the Anxiety Disorders and Depression Conference , while grey literature will be acquired by contacting authors of included studies . We will use the r and om-effects meta- analysis to synthesize the data by pooling the results of included studies . Discussion The results of this systematic review will be helpful in clarifying the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation and providing evidence to establish guidelines for implementation of vitamin D for depression in general practice and other relevant setting s. Study registration Unique identifier : CRD42013003849 Background Fibromyalgia ( FM ) is a syndrome primarily characterised by chronic , widespread musculoskeletal pain . In the aetiology of this syndrome a crucial role is played by complex interactions among biological , genetic , psychological , and socio-cultural factors . Recently , research ers have started to explore emotional functioning in FM , with their attention focused on alexithymia , a personality construct that affects the regulation of a person ’s own emotions . On the other h and , the detection and experience of emotional signals from other people have only been sparsely investigated in FM syndrome and no studies have investigated the ability to represent other people ’s mental states ( i.e. Theory of Mind , ToM ) in these patients . Here we present the first study investigating a large set of social-cognitive abilities , and the possible relationships between these abilities and the performance on executive-function tasks , in a homogenous sample of patients with FM . Methodology Forty women with FM and forty-one healthy women matched for education and age were involved in the study .  Social cognition was assessed with a set of vali date d experimental tasks .  Measures of executive function were used to test the correlations between this dimension and the social-cognitive profile of patients with FM . Relationships between social-cognitive abilities and demographic , clinical and psychological variables were also investigated . Principal Findings Patients with FM have impairments both in the regulation of their own affect and in the recognition of other ’s emotions , as well as in representing other people ’s mental states . No significant correlations were found between social cognition tasks and the subcomponents of the executive function that were analysed . Conclusions The results show the presence of several impairments in social cognition skills in patients with FM , which are largely independent of both executive function deficits and symptoms of psychological distress . The impairments reported highlight the importance of adequately assessing ToM and emotional functioning in clinical practice Background Patients with high Gleason score , elevated prostate specific antigen ( PSA ) level , and advanced clinical stage are at increased risk for both local and systemic relapse . Recent data suggests higher radiation doses decrease local recurrence and may ultimately benefit biochemical , metastasis-free and disease-specific survival . No r and omized data is available on the benefits of long-term hormonal therapy ( HT ) in these patients . A prospect i ve study on the efficacy and safety of trimodality treatment consisting of HT , external beam radiation therapy ( EBRT ) , and brachytherapy ( BT ) for high-risk prostate cancer ( PCa ) is strongly required . Methods / Design This is a phase III , multicenter , r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) of trimodality with BT , EBRT , and HT for high-risk PCa ( TRIP ) that will investigate the impact of adjuvant HT following BT using iodine-125 ( 125I-BT ) and supplemental EBRT with neoadjuvant and concurrent HT .  Prior to the end of September 2012 , a total of 340 patients with high-risk PCa will be enrolled and r and omized to one of two treatment arms . These patients will be recruited from more than 41 institutions , all of which have broad experience with 125I-BT .  Pathological slides will be central ly review ed to confirm patient eligibility . The patients will commonly undergo 6-month HT with combined and rogen blockade ( CAB ) before and during 125I-BT and supplemental EBRT . Those r and omly assigned to the long-term HT group will subsequently undergo 2 years of adjuvant HT with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist . All participants will be assessed at baseline and every 3 months for the first 30 months , then every 6 months until 84 months from the beginning of CAB.The primary endpoint is biochemical progression-free survival . Secondary endpoints are overall survival , clinical progression-free survival , disease-specific survival , salvage therapy non-adaptive interval , and adverse events . Discussion To our knowledge , there have been no prospect i ve studies documenting the efficacy and safety of trimodality therapy for high-risk PCa . The present RCT is expected to provide additional insight regarding the potency and limitations of the addition of 2 years of adjuvant HT to this trimodality approach , and to establish an appropriate treatment strategy for high-risk PCa . Trial registration Fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) is a chronic disorder that is characterized by widespread pain with localized tenderness . We aim ed to investigate whether thermal therapy combining sauna therapy and underwater exercise improved pain , symptoms , and quality of life ( QOL ) in FMS patients . Forty-four female FMS patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology ( ACR ) criteria received 12-week thermal therapy program comprising sauna therapy once daily for 3 days/week and underwater exercise once daily for 2 days/week . Pain , symptoms , and QOL were assessed using a pain visual analog scale ( VAS ) , a fibromyalgia impact question naire ( FIQ ) , and a short form 36-item question naire ( SF-36 ) , respectively . All of the patients reported significant reductions in pain and symptoms of 31 - 77 % after the 12-week thermal therapy program , which remained relatively stable ( 28 - 68 % ) during the 6-month follow-up period ( that is , the thermal therapy program improved both the short-term and the long-term VAS and FIQ scores ) . Improvements were also observed in the SF-36 score .  Thermal therapy combining sauna therapy and underwater exercise improved the QOL as well as the pain and symptoms of FMS patients Background : Type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM ) is becoming a leading problem worldwide . Emerging reports reveal alarming evidence of increasing prevalence of T2DM that has reached p and emic levels . Despite the significant incidence , there are limited reliable data re sources and comprehensive systematic review and meta- analysis on the effects of yoga on people who are a prediabetic or high risk for developing T2DM . Objective : The objective of this protocol is to conduct a full-scale systematic review and meta-analyses on the effects of yoga on people who are prediabetes or high risk of developing T2DM . Methods : The articles enrolled in the study will be retrieved from the online data bases between 2002 and the date the search es are executed . The search es will be repeated just before the final analyses and further relevant studies for inclusion . We will conduct a bibliographic search in data bases : Medline / PubMed , Scopus , Cochrane Library , EBSCO , and IndMED using keywords including prediabetes state , high risk for diabetes , metabolic syndrome , and yoga . A defined search strategy will be implemented along with selection criteria to obtain full-text articles of relevant studies . This study protocol was prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review s and Meta- Analysis for Protocol s 2015 guidelines . There will be no language restrictions . Ethics and dissemination : The proposed study will be based on published studies and publicly available anonymized data without directly involving human participants and therefore requires neither formal human ethical review nor approval by a human research ethics committee . We published an outline of the protocol in the International Prospect i ve Register of Systematic Review s ( PROSPERO ) in 2018 . We plan to disseminate the findings of this systematic review and meta- analysis through publication in a peer- review ed journal and presentation at relevant conference proceedings . In addition , we believe the results of the systematic review will have implication s for policy and practice . We will prepare policymaker summary using a vali date d format , disseminate through social media and email discussion groups . Review registration number : PROSPERO registration number CRD In a 2002 systematic review of pediatric clinical trials Eccleston et al. [ 1 ] found that psychological therapies had a significant effect on pain reduction . Although that review sought to include all pain conditions , the available studies at the time focused almost exclusively on treatment of pediatric headache . In recent years , r and omized clinical trials ( RCTs ) have been published on other pediatric pain conditions , including abdominal pain and fibromyalgia . In addition , effects of psychological therapies on clinical outcomes beyond pain reduction , such as functional disability and emotional distress were examined . In this issue of Pain , Palermo et al. [ 4 ] present a timely meta-analytic review paper that reflects on these new developments OBJECTIVE Fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by generalized pain , localized tender points , chronic fatigue and nonrestorative sleep . Since sleep disturbances frequently occur in FMS and alpha intrusion in nonrapid eye movement ( NREM ) sleep probably associates with the nonrefreshing sleep , we prospect ively studied the delta and alpha activity and alpha-delta ratio across sleep cycles , performing polysomnography in 10 patients with FMS and in 14 healthy control subjects . METHODS Night long polysomnography recordings  were performed in all subjects .  Sleep scoring was done visually according to Rechtschaffen and Kales criteria . By means of spectral analysis the conventional electroencephalogram ( EEG ) frequency b and s were automatically computed for the all night recordings . For alpha and delta power the integrated and normalized values were calculated for each sleep cycle , the evolution of these activities across successive sleep cycles was studied . RESULTS Alpha-delta patterns occurred in almost all the patients who had also superficial and fragmented sleep with increased awakenings and reduced REM and slow wave sleep . Delta decay across sleep cycles was different in FMS and alpha activity was greater and declined , whereas the controls were persistently low throughout their sleep . Alpha-delta ratio increased progressively in successive sleep cycles ; this was again different from controls . CONCLUSION Patients with FMS presented a high frequency of subjective sleep disturbances , an increased incidence of alpha EEG NREM sleep and clear abnormalities in sleep cycle organization Introduction Vitamin D has potential benefits for extraskeletal health . These could include an anti-inflammatory effect as well as a reduction in endothelial dysfunction . We aim to provide quality evidence for the hypothesis that supplementation with vitamin D will improve endothelial function ( EF ) , possibly through the abrogation of systemic inflammation . Methods and analysis We will conduct a systematic review of all r and omised controlled trials on  vitamin D supplementation and EF lasting 12 weeks or more . The search will cover the period 2000–2015 and include studies that describe direct measures of EF  , markers of endothelial cell ( EC ) activation  and if concurrently reported , indicators of systemic inflammation  . Study selection will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review s and Meta-Analyses ( PRISMA ) guidelines and study quality will be assessed by the Jadad score in addition to an evaluation of allocation concealment and data analysis . If sufficient data are available , a meta- analysis will be conducted . The effect sizes will be generated using Hedges ’ g score , for both fixed and r and om effect models . I2 statistics and Galbraith plots will be used to assess heterogeneity and identify their potential sources . Potential publication and small sample size bias will be assessed by visual inspections of funnel plots and also Egger 's test . Meta-regression analysis ( if feasible ) will be conducted with restricted maximum likelihood ( REML ) estimation method , controlling for potential confounders ( demographics , study methods , location , etc ) . A backward elimination process will be applied in the regression modelling procedure . Subgroup analysis , conditional on number of studies retrieved and their sample size , will be stratified on participant disease category , total dose administered , degree of 25(OH)D change and type of supplement used . Ethics and dissemination Formal ethical approval is not required as primary data will not be collected . The results will be disseminated through a peer- review ed publication , conference presentation and the popular press . Trial registration number International Prospect i ve Register for Systematic Review s ( PROSPERO ) number CRD42014013523
A significant effect on depressive symptoms was not found .
The improvements for pain could be maintained at follow-up with smaller effects .
Introduction In the present systematic review and meta- analysis , we assessed the effectiveness of different forms of balneotherapy ( BT ) and hydrotherapy ( HT ) in the management of fibromyalgia syndrome ( FMS ) .