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

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study aims to study the clinical effects of Energy Healing using fMRI and determine its application to Fibromyalgia patients. We also want to find out how active Energy Healing compares to sham Energy Healing in terms of brain connectivity and pain interference scores.

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.

Is energy healing safe for humans?

Research on meditative movement therapies like Qigong, Tai Chi, and Yoga, which are similar to energy healing, shows that they are generally safe with no significant adverse events reported. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Energy Healing treatment differ from other treatments for fibromyalgia?

Energy Healing is unique because it focuses on balancing the body's energy fields, which is different from conventional treatments like medication or physical therapy that target physical symptoms directly. This approach is more aligned with complementary therapies such as acupuncture or meditation, which aim to enhance the body's natural healing processes. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Research Team

Richard Harris, PhD

Principal Investigator

UCI SSIHI

Eligibility Criteria

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 am between 18 and 75 years old.

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

Timeline

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

References

1. Spain pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and treatment. [2022]

2. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Complementary and alternative exercise for fibromyalgia: a meta-analysis. [2022]

3. Germany 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. [2021]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Qualitative systemic review of randomized controlled trials on complementary and alternative medicine treatments in fibromyalgia. [2023]

5. Spain pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and Treatment. [2021]

6. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of different styles of massage therapy in fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]

7. Germany 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]. [2023]

8. Italy 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. [2023]

9. Poland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Briquet syndrome in patients with fibromyalgia]. [2013]

10. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[New evidences on spa therapy in fibromyalgia]. [2011]