Energy Healing for Fibromyalgia

Overseen By Richard E Harris, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Irvine

Must not be taking: Narcotics, Stimulants, NSAIDs, others

Disqualifiers: Autoimmune diseases, Peripheral neuropathy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

25 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether Energy Healing can reduce pain and improve brain activity in women with fibromyalgia, a condition causing widespread pain and fatigue. Researchers aim to compare the effects of real Energy Healing with a placebo version to determine any genuine differences in brain activity and pain relief. Women who have experienced consistent pain for the past two months and can undergo MRI scans might be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new pain relief methods.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you must stop taking your current medications, but you should not introduce any new medications or treatments for fibromyalgia during the study. Also, you cannot use certain pain medications on the day of the MRI scan or 48 hours before it.

What prior data suggests that Energy Healing is safe for Fibromyalgia patients?

Research has shown that energy healing therapies, such as Reiki, usually carry a low risk of side effects. In studies involving individuals with fibromyalgia, participants generally tolerated these therapies well. Although some studies found that energy healing did not significantly improve fibromyalgia symptoms, it remains considered safe. No strong evidence of harmful effects exists, allowing its inclusion in a broader treatment plan with minimal safety concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard fibromyalgia treatments like pain relievers, antidepressants, or anticonvulsants, energy healing offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach. Researchers are excited about energy healing because it focuses on restoring balance to the body's energy fields, a method that differs from conventional medication. This approach could potentially reduce side effects and provide relief to those who haven't found success with existing drugs. Plus, it taps into a holistic framework, aiming to improve overall well-being alongside managing fibromyalgia symptoms.

What evidence suggests that Energy Healing might be an effective treatment for Fibromyalgia?

Research has shown that Energy Healing, which participants in this trial will receive, might help reduce pain for some people with fibromyalgia. One study found that 76% of participants reported less pain, suggesting improvement after the treatment. However, other studies found that methods like Reiki did not alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms. This indicates that while some people notice benefits, others might not experience the same effects. Researchers continue to study Energy Healing to understand its effects on fibromyalgia. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Richard Harris, PhD

Principal Investigator

UCI SSIHI

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women aged 18-75 with Fibromyalgia who meet the 2016 diagnostic criteria. Participants must not have MRI contraindications, agree to not start new treatments during the study, can travel to the site for sessions, and are proficient in English. They should experience a certain level of pain without pain-free days recently.

Inclusion Criteria

I am female.

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the 2016 criteria.

My average pain level in the past week was between 4 to 10, with no pain-free days in the last two months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline

Baseline assessments including fMRI and other measures before intervention

1 week

Intervention

Participants receive Energy Healing or sham Energy Healing

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in pain severity, brain connectivity, and other exploratory outcomes

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Energy Healing

Trial Overview The study tests Energy Healing's effects on Fibromyalgia by comparing active Energy Healing with sham (placebo) treatment using fMRI scans to observe brain connectivity and changes in pain interference scores.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Fibromyalgia participants - Energy Healing Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Female Fibromyalgia patients ages 18-75 who meet inclusion/exclusion criteria as stated in the IRB approved study protocol.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Irvine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

580

Recruited

4,943,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome should be multimodal, incorporating various approaches such as endurance training, yoga, and nutritional therapy, especially for severe cases, as recommended by S3 guidelines.

Complementary therapies like heat applications, acupuncture, and phytotherapeutic agents are also supported, emphasizing the importance of patient preference and self-efficacy in managing symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Integrative medicine, naturopathic and complementary medicine in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome : An overview against the background of clinical experiences from routine treatment]. Langhorst, A., Langhorst, J.[2023]

In a randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 90 female patients with fibromyalgia, photobiomodulation therapy combined with a static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) significantly reduced pain levels and the number of tender points compared to a placebo, both at the end of treatment and during follow-up.

No adverse events were reported, indicating that PBMT-sMF is a safe and effective treatment option that could be considered as an important addition to existing fibromyalgia treatment plans.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Photobiomodulation therapy combined with static magnetic field is better than placebo in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Ribeiro, NF., Leal-Junior, ECP., Johnson, DS., et al.[2023]

Establishing a proper diagnosis for fibromyalgia patients can enhance their ability to cope with the condition and lower healthcare costs, highlighting the importance of accurate assessment.

The study recommends avoiding the use of NSAIDs, strong opioids, and benzodiazepines due to their side effects, and suggests that surgeries should only be considered when absolutely necessary, as they often lead to complications and lower patient satisfaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and treatment. Rivera Redondo, J., Díaz Del Campo Fontecha, P., Alegre de Miquel, C., et al.[2022]

A meta-analysis of various exercise modalities, including tai chi, qigong, and yoga, found a medium-to-high effect size in reducing pain for individuals with fibromyalgia, indicating their potential effectiveness.

The research indicates a low risk of adverse events associated with these complementary therapies, suggesting they can be safely included in a comprehensive treatment plan for fibromyalgia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Complementary and alternative exercise for fibromyalgia: a meta-analysis. Mist, SD., Firestone, KA., Jones, KD.[2022]

Spa therapy is a widely used non-drug treatment for rheumatic diseases, including Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS), which helps alleviate chronic musculoskeletal pain.

The review of international data from 2000 to 2007 supports the effectiveness of spa therapy in improving muscle tone and reducing pain intensity, suggesting it should be included in a comprehensive treatment plan for FS.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[New evidences on spa therapy in fibromyalgia]. Giannitti, C., Bellisai, B., Iacoponi, F., et al.[2011]

Myofascial release massage showed large positive effects on pain and medium effects on anxiety and depression in fibromyalgia patients, with benefits maintained in the medium and short term after treatment, based on a meta-analysis of 145 participants.

While myofascial release is the most effective massage type for fibromyalgia symptoms, other techniques like connective tissue massage and Shiatsu also showed benefits, but Swedish massage did not improve outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of different styles of massage therapy in fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Yuan, SL., Matsutani, LA., Marques, AP.[2022]

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder often associated with depression, with studies showing that 50-80% of individuals with fibromyalgia may experience depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for a comprehensive treatment approach.

Effective management of fibromyalgia typically involves a combination of therapies, including physical activity, psychosomatic treatments, and various drug-free methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques, tailored to meet individual patient needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Briquet syndrome in patients with fibromyalgia]. Just, M., Ogłodek, E.[2013]

Meditative movement therapies (Qigong, Tai Chi, and Yoga) significantly improved sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression, and health-related quality of life in fibromyalgia patients, but did not show a significant effect on pain, based on a systematic review of 7 studies with 362 participants.

The therapies were found to be safe, with a low dropout rate of 3.1% due to adverse events and no serious adverse events reported, indicating that these interventions can be a beneficial addition to fibromyalgia treatment plans.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and safety of meditative movement therapies in fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Langhorst, J., Klose, P., Dobos, GJ., et al.[2021]

A review of 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on various complementary and alternative medicine therapies showed that balneotherapy/hydrotherapy had the strongest evidence for effectiveness, while the overall quality of the studies was relatively low, with an average methodological quality score of 51 out of 100.

Positive outcomes were also observed for homeopathy and mild infrared hyperthermia in individual studies, while acupuncture showed mixed results, indicating that some alternative therapies may have potential benefits but require further high-quality research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Qualitative systemic review of randomized controlled trials on complementary and alternative medicine treatments in fibromyalgia. Baranowsky, J., Klose, P., Musial, F., et al.[2023]

Establishing a proper diagnosis for fibromyalgia patients can enhance their ability to cope with the condition and lower healthcare costs, highlighting the importance of accurate assessment.

The study recommends avoiding the use of NSAIDs, strong opioids, and benzodiazepines due to their side effects, and suggests that surgeries should only be considered when absolutely necessary, as they often lead to complications and lower patient satisfaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and Treatment. Rivera Redondo, J., Díaz Del Campo Fontecha, P., Alegre de Miquel, C., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06552728

The Effects of Energy Healing in Fibromyalgia Preliminary data in chronic pain patients, suggests that EH, delivered by an experienced practitioner, is able to reduce self-reported pain symptoms within ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3116531/

Reiki for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Randomized ... Conclusion. Neither Reiki nor touch improved the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Energy medicine modalities such as Reiki should be rigorously studied before being ...

3. atriumhealth.org atriumhealth.org/documents/northeastinternalintegrative/research-library/fibromyalgia/reikitreatment.pdf

Reiki for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Randomized ... Conclusion: Neither Reiki nor touch improved the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Energy medicine modalities such as Reiki should be rigorously studied before being ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/energy-healing-for-fibromyalgia-5cda9

Energy Healing for Fibromyalgia This study aims to study the clinical effects of Energy Healing using fMRI and determine its application to Fibromyalgia patients.

5. researchhub.com researchhub.com/post/4082/energy-healing-brain-hyper-scanning-in-fibromyalgia

Energy Healing Brain Hyper Scanning in Fibromyalgia [1] This unblinded and uncontrolled study found that of 50 reports of pain, 38 (76%) showed marked improvement. While this finding is certainly ...

6. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/25/12/703/7726135

Mind-body therapy for treating fibromyalgia: a systematic review Our systematic review aimed to (1) summarize the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of mind-body therapies for adults with FM and (2) identify ...