The Role of Prolotherapy in Fibromyalgia Patients

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To assess the potential role of prolotherapy in treating the most tender points of FM patients as a trial to improve symptoms. Patients and Methods 20 primary FM Patients were injected with 3 cc of 25 % dextrose with 2 cc of 1 % lidocaine and then filled to 6 cc total volume with saline, making dextrose concentration of 12.5%, with 0.5 ml of the solution prepared per point,with a maximum of 6 points/ session. - Follow up visit were required every two weeks for other injections over a course of six weeks (duration of healing cascade). After 6 weeks, patients were assessed using NRS, FIQ VAS , MFI - 20 , SQS and PHQ-9 scales. Results As regard number of tender points, there was a highly Statistically significant P- value (<0.001) between number of tenderpoints (6-16) before injection, which decreased to (5-9) after injection, with a change of 34.17%. As regard whole body average pain, there was a highly Statistically significant difference (<0.001) between NRS before injection(5-10), which decreased to a range of (2-6) after injection, with a change of 39.57%. PHQ-9 scale total score showed a highly Statistically significant difference (P – value<0.001), ranging from (15-22) pre injectionand dropped to (10-18) post injection, with an improvement of 25.37%. Conclusion Prolotherapy may offer great therapeutic advantages for FM patients, as it is well tolerated with minimal or no side effects. Moreover, prolotherapy injection reduces pain intensity and functional disability in daily life activities.