S1-5The effects of Waon therapy for patients with chronic pain and fibromyalgia / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

<b>Objectives: </b>Many patients with chronic pain and fibromyalgia (FM) consult health care clinics continually, and move from hospital to hospital without gaining pain relief. In some patients, prolonged refractory pain affects their daily life and social function despite various treatments. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of Waon therapy in patients with chronic pain and FM.<BR><b>Patients and Methods: </b><BR><b>Study A</b> 46 patients with chronic pain were assigned to Waon therapy group (n = 22) or non-Waon therapy group (n = 24). All patients were admitted to our hospital for 5 weeks. In non-Waon therapy group, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), rehabilitation, and exercise therapy were performed during hospitalization. Waon therapy was started 2 weeks after admission in addition to CBT, rehabilitation, and exercise therapy. And the therapy was performed for 4 weeks. Pain was evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS). Pain behavior was assessed based on the 11 items and the number per day was counted. Anger score was evaluated using the mentral complaints in the Cornell Medical Index. The degree of satisfaction with treatment was evaluated at discharge. <BR><b>Study B </b>12 patients who fulfilled the FM criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. All patients received 20 sessions of Waon Therapy at our outpatients clinic. The VAS pain scale and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Profile of Mood State (POMS) were evaluated before and after 10 and 20 sessions of Waon Therapy. <BR><b>Results: </b><BR><b>Study A </b>The differences in number of pain behavior and anger scores before and after treatment were significantly larger in Waon therapy group than those in non-Waon therapy group. The treatment was rated as ‘satisfactory’ or ‘very satisfactory’ by 55% in non-Waon-therapy group and 82% in Waon Therapy group. <BR><b>Study B </b>The VAS pain scores and FIQ scores were improved after the 10 and 20 sessions of Waon therapy. In the POMS, depression and anger, anxiety, confusion scales were sigificantly decresed and vigor score was elevated. <BR><b>Conclusion:</b> Waon therapy may be a promising method for treatment of chronic pain and fibromyalgia.