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The effectiveness of hydrotherapy in the management of fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review

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Abstract

Hydrotherapy is often used in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), however there has been limited evaluation of its effectiveness. The aim of this systematic review was therefore to examine the effectiveness of hydrotherapy in the management of FMS. AMED, BNI, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science were searched (1990–July 2006). Key words used ‘fibromyalgia’ and ‘hydrotherapy’, ‘balneotherapy’, ‘aqua therapy’, ‘pool therapy’, ‘water therapy’, ‘swimming’, ‘hydrogalvanic’, ‘spa therapy’, ‘physiotherapy’, ‘physical therapy’ and ‘rehabilitation’. Searches were supplemented with hand searches of selected journals. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed for methodological quality using the van Tulder scale. Ten RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Mean methodological quality was 4.5/9 on the van Tulder scale. Positive outcomes were reported for pain, health-status and tender point count. There is strong evidence for the use of hydrotherapy in the management of FMS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland, UK

    Joseph G. McVeigh

  2. Physiotherapy Department, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

    Helen McGaughey & Patricia Kane

  3. Physiotherapy Department, Craigavon Area Hospital, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Portadown, Northern Ireland, UK

    Melissa Hall

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  1. Joseph G. McVeigh
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  2. Helen McGaughey
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  3. Melissa Hall
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  4. Patricia Kane
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Correspondence to Joseph G. McVeigh.

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McVeigh, J.G., McGaughey, H., Hall, M. et al. The effectiveness of hydrotherapy in the management of fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review. Rheumatol Int 29, 119–130 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-008-0674-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-008-0674-9

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