Energy Healing for Fibromyalgia
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Overseen byRichard Harris, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Female
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: University of California, Irvine
Must not be taking: Narcotics, Stimulants, NSAIDs, others
Disqualifiers: Autoimmune diseases, Peripheral neuropathy, others
No Placebo Group
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.
12345How 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.
678910Eligibility 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.
+7 more
Trial 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
Participant Groups
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.
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Fibromyalgia participants - Energy Healing InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Female Fibromyalgia patients ages 18-75 who meet inclusion/exclusion criteria as stated in the IRB approved study protocol.
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
University of California at IrvineIrvine, CA
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, IrvineLead Sponsor
References
Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and treatment. [2022]To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable.
Complementary and alternative exercise for fibromyalgia: a meta-analysis. [2022]Complementary and alternative medicine includes a number of exercise modalities, such as tai chi, qigong, yoga, and a variety of lesser-known movement therapies. A meta-analysis of the current literature was conducted estimating the effect size of the different modalities, study quality and bias, and adverse events. The level of research has been moderately weak to date, but most studies report a medium-to-high effect size in pain reduction. Given the lack of adverse events, there is little risk in recommending these modalities as a critical component in a multimodal treatment plan, which is often required for fibromyalgia management.
Efficacy and safety of meditative movement therapies in fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2021]A systematic review with meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of meditative movement therapies (Qigong, Tai Chi and Yoga) in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) was carried out. We screened Clinicaltrials.Gov, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus (through December 2010) and the reference sections of original studies for meditative movement therapies (MMT) in FMS. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing MMT to controls were analysed. Outcomes of efficacy were pain, sleep, fatigue, depression and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Effects were summarized using standardized mean differences (SMD [95% confidence interval]). Outcomes of safety were drop out because of adverse events and serious adverse events. A total of 7 out of 117 studies with 362 subjects and a median of 12 sessions (range 8-24) were included. MMT reduced sleep disturbances (-0.61 [-0.95, -0.27]; 0.0004), fatigue (-0.66 [-0.99, -0.34];
Qualitative systemic review of randomized controlled trials on complementary and alternative medicine treatments in fibromyalgia. [2023]The objectives of the study were identification, quality evaluation and summary of RCTs on complementary and alternative medicine as defined by the National Institute of Health with the exception of dietary and nutritional supplements. A computerized search of databases from 1990 (year of publication of the ACR criteria for fibromyalgia) to July 2007 was performed. The RCTs were assessed by a methodological quality score. A total of 23 RCTs issued from 1992 to 2007 on acupuncture, balneotherapy, thermotherapy, magnetic therapy, homeopathy, manual manipulation, mind-body medicine, diet therapy and music therapy were identified. The RCTs had an average group size of 25 with the number of groups ranging from two to four. The quality score assessment of the RCTs yielded a mean score of 51 out of 100. The average methodological quality of the identified studies was fairly low. Best evidence was found for balneotherapy/hydrotherapy in multiple studies. Positive results were also noted for homeopathy and mild infrared hyperthermia in 1 RCT in each field. Mindfulness meditation showed mostly positive results in two trials and acupuncture mixed results in multiple trials with a tendency toward positive results. Tendencies for improvement were furthermore noted in single trials of the Mesendieck system, connective tissue massage and to some degree for osteopathy and magnet therapy. No positive evidence could be identified for Qi Gong, biofeedback, and body awareness therapy.
Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology on Fibromyalgia. Part 1: Diagnosis and Treatment. [2021]To prevent the impairment of fibromyalgia patients due to harmful actions in daily clinical practice that are potentially avoidable.
Effectiveness of different styles of massage therapy in fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]The systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of massage in fibromyalgia. An electronic search was conducted at MEDLINE, SCiELO, EMBASE, ISI, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL and LILACS (Jan 1990-May 2013). Ten randomized and non-randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of massage alone on symptoms and health-related quality of life of adult patients with fibromyalgia were included. Two reviewers independently screened records, examined full-text reports for compliance with the eligibility criteria, and extracted data. Meta-analysis (pooled from 145 participants) shows that myofascial release had large, positive effects on pain and medium effects on anxiety and depression at the end of treatment, in contrast with placebo; effects on pain and depression were maintained in the medium and short term, respectively. Narrative analysis suggests that: myofascial release also improves fatigue, stiffness and quality of life; connective tissue massage improves depression and quality of life; manual lymphatic drainage is superior to connective tissue massage regarding stiffness, depression and quality of life; Shiatsu improves pain, pressure pain threshold, fatigue, sleep and quality of life; and Swedish massage does not improve outcomes. There is moderate evidence that myofascial release is beneficial for fibromyalgia symptoms. Limited evidence supports the application of connective tissue massage and Shiatsu. Manual lymphatic drainage may be superior to connective tissue massage, and Swedish massage may have no effects. Overall, most styles of massage therapy consistently improved the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients.
[Integrative medicine, naturopathic and complementary medicine in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome : An overview against the background of clinical experiences from routine treatment]. [2023]Fibromyalgia syndrome is classified as a functional somatic syndrome. There are typical but not clearly defined symptom clusters, such as chronic widespread pain, non-restorative sleep, and a tendency to physical and/or mental exhaustion. The core principle of treatment in the S3 guidelines is a multimodal treatment, especially for severe forms of the disease. Complementary, naturopathic and integrative forms of treatment have an established place in the guidelines. Strong treatment recommendations with a high consensus exist for endurance, weight and functional training. Meditative forms of movement, such as yoga or qigong should also be used. In addition to a lack of physical activity, obesity is also accepted as an associated lifestyle factor and addressed in nutritional therapy and regulation therapy. The central aim is the activation and rediscovery of self-efficacy. Heat applications, such as warm baths/showers, saunas, infrared cabins or exercise in warm thermal water are in accordance with the guidelines. A current field of research is whole-body hyperthermia with water-filtered infrared A radiation. Other self-help strategies are dry brushing according to Kneipp or massaging with rosemary oil, mallow oil or the Aconite pain oil. Taking into account the patients preference, phytotherapeutic agents can also be used as herbal pain treatment (ash bark/trembling poplar bark/goldenrod herb), for sleep disorders in the form of sleep-inducing wraps (lavender heart compress) and internally (valerian, lavender oil capsules, lemon balm). Acupuncture treatment (either ear or body acupuncture) are accepted as part of a multimodal concept. The Clinic for Integrative Medicine and Naturopathy at the Hospital in Bamberg offers the three different formats of inpatient, day clinic and outpatient service covered by the health insurance.
Photobiomodulation therapy combined with static magnetic field is better than placebo in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. [2023]Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by generalized chronic pain and tenderness in specific areas. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using low-level laser therapy and/or light emitting diode therapy is an electrophysical agent that can be used alone or together with a static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) to promote analgesia in several health conditions. Little evidence exists regarding the effects of using PBMT and PBMT-sMF in patients with fibromyalgia; this evidence is conflicting.
[Briquet syndrome in patients with fibromyalgia]. [2013]Fibromyalgia is a disorder of the pain perception, which may, but need not be associated with depression. Modern science does not allow to put an equal sign between the two diseases. However, at least in some people, can be seen as a variant of depression, fibromyalgia. Studies indicate that 50-80 per cent, people with fibromyalgia can recognize depression. The article discusses the current state of knowledge on the role of physical activity, psychosomatic health treatments, physical therapy, relaxation techniques and education for patients with fibromyalgia. The best results, combine different therapies. The use of drugs is to reduce pain, improve mood and improve sleep quality. Various forms of drug-free treatment and help to restore the efficiency of dealing with complaints. In the treatment of fibromyalgia using different forms of therapy, tailored to the individual needs of the patient. The most common are: balneotherapy, exercise, cryotherapy, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and other forms of psychotherapy--in order to develop methods to combat stress and depressed mood, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, massage.
[New evidences on spa therapy in fibromyalgia]. [2011]Spa therapy is one of the most commonly used non-pharmacological approaches for many rheumatic diseases. In Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS) it may be useful for the chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain. Because of the unknown aetiology and the not clear understood pathogenesis, there is no standard therapy regimen for FS. Also the mechanisms of action of spa therapy are not completely known, but most probably the benefits could be derived from mechanical, physical and chemical factors. Muscle tone and pain intensity can be positively influenced by mud packs and thermal baths. The review of international data from 2000 to 2007 confirms that spa therapy should be a valid tool in the multidisciplinary approach of the Primary FS.