Vegetarian and Vegan Diet in Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic non-degenerative disease characterized by the presence of multiple symptoms such as chronic pain, which negatively influence the quality of life of sufferers, most of whom are women. Currently, there is no effective treatment to limit the impact of these symptoms. The aim of this research is to review the scientific evidence on the effect of following a vegetarian or vegan diet on fibromyalgia patients. A systematic review included the original articles that answered the research question. These articles were in 2021 in the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The research used the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. No time restriction was applied, and grey literature was not included. The evaluation of the methodological quality of the articles was carried out using the following different scales: STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology), PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), and MMAT (Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool) scales. A total of 88 studies were analyzed, of which 6 investigations were included in this systematic review (n = 4 clinical trials and n = 2 cohort studies). These investigations show significant improvements in biochemical parameters, quality of life, quality of sleep, pain at rest and general health status when following mainly plant-based dietary patterns. In conclusion, these findings are promising but interpretation of the findings is limited due to the methodological quality of the studies. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to consolidate these dietary recommendations in FM patients.

Effects of Manual Therapy on Fatigue, Pain, and Psychological Aspects in Women with Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterised by chronic widespread muscle pain and fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive disorders, and mood disturbance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a manual therapy technique performed with moderate digital pressure in women with fibromyalgia (n = 24). In this randomised, controlled trial, the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group or placebo group. The experimental group was assisted with manual therapy sessions based on connective tissue massage, whereas the placebo group was "treated" with ultrasound sessions performed without conductive gel and with the machine turned off as the placebo. Fatigue severity scale (FSS), visual analogical scale (VAS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and profile of mood states (POMS-29) were completed before and after the intervention. In the experimental group (manual therapy), significant results were obtained on a VAS scale, referring to the neck pain in patients with fibromyalgia (p < 0.001). Correlations showed a relationship between fatigue and sleep variables (R = 0.411; p = 0.046) and pain variables with the POMS anger-hostility subscale (R = 0.436; p = 0.033). Although the size of the sample could be a limitation, the study concluded that the application of manual therapy in fibromyalgia patients performed with moderate pressure for 15 min on the posterior cervical musculature decreased the perception of pain, muscle fatigue, and the state of tension-anxiety.

Psychological and Sleep Effects of Tryptophan and Magnesium-Enriched Mediterranean Diet in Women with Fibromyalgia.

Anxiety, mood disturbance, eating and sleep disorders, and dissatisfaction with body image are prevalent disorders in women with fibromyalgia. The authors of this study aimed to determine the effects of tryptophan (TRY) and magnesium-enriched (MG) Mediterranean diet on psychological variables (trait anxiety, mood state, eating disorders, self-image perception) and sleep quality in women with fibromyalgia (n = 22; 49 ± 5 years old). In this randomized, controlled trial, the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the placebo group. The intervention group received a Mediterranean diet enriched with high doses of TRY and MG (60 mg of TRY and 60 mg of MG), whereas the control group received the standard Mediterranean diet. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire, Body Shape Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Profile of Mood States (POMS-29) Questionnaire, Eating Attitudes Test-26, and Trait Anxiety Inventory were completed before and 16 weeks after the intervention. Significant differences were observed between groups after the intervention for the mean scores of trait anxiety (p = 0.001), self-image perception (p = 0.029), mood disturbance (p = 0.001), and eating disorders (p = 0.006). This study concludes that tryptophan and magnesium-enriched Mediterranean diet reduced anxiety symptoms, mood disturbance, eating disorders, and dissatisfaction with body image but did not improve sleep quality in women with fibromyalgia.

[Effects of lacto-vegetarian diet and stabilization core exercises on body composition and pain in women with fibromyalgia: randomized controlled trial]. / Efectos de la dieta lacto-vegetariana y ejercicios de estabilización del core sobre la composición corporal y el dolor en mujeres con fibromialgia: ensayo controlado aleatorizado.

BACKGROUND: fibromyalgia is a disease of unknown origin characterized by chronic muscular pain. The lack of knowledge about this disease is one of the main causes that makes complex to make a diagnosis and an appropriate treatment. OBJECTIVE: the main objective of this study was to know the efficacy of a physiotherapy treatment combined with a lacto-vegetarian dietary-nutritional intervention, on low back pain and body composition in women with fibromyalgia. METHODS: twenty-one women were randomly divided into three groups: A (core stabilization exercises + lacto-vegetarian diet), B (placebo + lacto-vegetarian diet) and C (control). The intervention lasted 4 weeks. Pain assessments (EVA scale) and body composition (bioimpedance) were performed at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. RESULTS: group A showed significant changes in pain reduction and body composition at the end of the intervention, increasing muscle mass and decreasing fat mass. In addition, this group significantly improved outcomes compared to groups B and C. The correlations showed a relationship between muscle mass and pain reduction referred to at the end of the study in patients in group A. CONCLUSIONS: four-week intervention program combining core stabilization exercises plus lacto-vegetarian diet in patients with fibromyalgia who have low back pain contributes to pain reduction and improved body composition.

Efectos de la dieta lacto-vegetariana y ejercicios de estabilización del core sobre la composición corporal y el dolor en mujeres con fibromialgia: ensayo controlado aleatorizado / Effects of lacto-vegetarian diet and stabilization core exercises on body composition and pain in women with fibromyalgia: randomized controlled trial

Introducción: la fibromialgia es una enfermedad de origen desconocido caracterizada por dolor muscular crónico. La falta de conocimientos sobre esta enfermedad es una de las principales causas por las que resulta complejo realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuados. Objetivo: el objetivo principal de este estudio fue conocer la eficacia de un tratamiento de fisioterapia combinado con una intervención dietético-nutricional lacto-vegetariana, sobre el dolor bajo de espalda y la composición corporal en mujeres con fibromialgia. Métodos: en el estudio participaron 21 mujeres, que fueron divididas aleatoriamente en 3 grupos: A (ejercicios estabilización core + dieta lacto-vegetariana), B (placebo + dieta lacto-vegetariana) y C (control). La intervención tuvo una duración de 4 semanas y se realizaron evaluaciones del dolor (escala EVA), y de la composición corporal (bioimpedancia), al inicio y final de la intervención. Resultados: el grupo A mostró cambios significativos en la reducción del dolor y la composición corporal al final de la intervención, aumentando la masa muscular y disminuyendo la masa grasa. Además, este grupo mejoró significativamente los resultados en comparación con los grupos B y C. Las correlaciones realizadas mostraron una relación entre la masa muscular y la disminución del dolor referido al final del estudio en las pacientes del grupo A. Conclusiones: un programa de intervención de 4 semanas de duración en el que se combina ejercicios de estabilización de core más dieta lacto-vegetariana en pacientes con fibromialgia que presentan dolor bajo de espalda contribuye a la reducción del dolor y la mejora de la composición corporal

Background: fibromyalgia is a disease of unknown origin characterized by chronic muscular pain. The lack of knowledge about this disease is one of the main causes that makes complex to make a diagnosis and an appropriate treatment. Objective: the main objective of this study was to know the efficacy of a physiotherapy treatment combined with a lacto-vegetarian dietary-nutritional intervention, on low back pain and body composition in women with fibromyalgia. Methods: twenty-one women were randomly divided into three groups: A (core stabilization exercises + lacto-vegetarian diet), B (placebo + lacto-vegetarian diet) and C (control). The intervention lasted 4 weeks. Pain assessments (EVA scale) and body composition (bioimpedance) were performed at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. Results: group A showed significant changes in pain reduction and body composition at the end of the intervention, increasing muscle mass and decreasing fat mass. In addition, this group significantly improved outcomes compared to groups B and C. The correlations showed a relationship between muscle mass and pain reduction referred to at the end of the study in patients in group A. Conclusions: four-week intervention program combining core stabilization exercises plus lacto-vegetarian diet in patients with fibromyalgia who have low back pain contributes to pain reduction and improved body composition

Intervención dietético-terapéutica en karateka con pubalgia: caso clínico / Dietary-therapeutic intervention in karateka with groin injury. Clinical case

Antecedentes: La pubalgia es una de las patologías más frecuentes dentro del ámbito deportivo. Esta patología cursa con un tiempo de recuperación deportiva prolongado, impidiendo al deportista lesionado realizar su práctica deportiva. En deportes de combate los deportistas realizan patadas constantemente y comprometen en gran medida estructuras músculo-tendinosas relacionadas con la patología. Método: Varón de 25 años diagnosticado de pubalgia, con sintomatología dolorosa en la sínfisis púbica. También presenta hábitos alimentarios inadecuados. Tras la valoración se procede a complementar el tratamiento fisioterapéutico con una alimentación centrada en la reducción de proteínas e incremento de carbohidratos, además de educación dietético-nutricional. Resultados Tras la intervención fisioterapéutica el paciente mejoró sus hábitos alimentarios, así como su composición corporal y sus parámetros analíticos, además de recuperarse deportivamente. Conclusiones: un protocolo de rehabilitación adecuado para el tratamiento de la pubalgia, acompañado de un programa dietético-nutricional adaptado, permite obtener mejoras sobre la recuperación deportiva, parámetros analíticos, composición corporal y fomenta la educación nutricional (AU)

Background: The groin injury is one of the most common diseases in the sport. This condition causes an extended time of recovery, also impedes athlete perform their sport. Karate players are kicking constantly, moreover compromise muscle-tendon structures related to pathology. Methods: 25 year old male diagnosed with groin injury with pain symptoms in the pubic symphysis. Also present inadequate eating habits. After evaluation proceeds to complement the physiotherapy with diet consisted in reducing proteins, increasing carbohydrates and promote dietary and nutritional education. Results: After the physiotherapeutic intervention, the patient improved his eating habits, as well as his body composition and analytical parameters, besides recovering sporty. Conclusions: A suitable rehabilitation protocol for the treatment of pubalgia, accompanied by an adapted dietary-nutritional program, allows improvements in sports recovery, analytical parameters, body composition and nutritional education (AU)