EMG-biofeedback training in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Fifteen patients with fibromyalgia syndrome were given EMG-BFB (biofeedback) training sessions because of persistent aches after one year of monthly courses of NSAID. A long-lasting clinical benefit was observed in 56%. The improvement was found in those without overt psychopathological disturbances. In fact, a subgroup of clinically depressed patients responded poorly. Our findings were confirmed in a controlled study. Six patients were allocated into "true EMG-BFB" and 6 into "false EMG-BFB" treatment in a blinded fashion. The rheumatological assessment revealed a significant improvement in most of the variables only in the "true EMG-BFB" group.

[Analysis of the effect of lithium salts on cognitive functions]. / Analisi dell'influenza dei sali di litio su alcune funzioni cognitive.

In this work the authors studied the effects of lithium on memory and reaction times in 7 manic-depressive patients receiving long-term therapy. The results suggest lithium treatment does not change these intellectual functions to any significant extent, comparing the trials of the experimental sessions during the therapy and after two weeks off lithium. Our data mostly agree with the studies of other Authors who used similar experimental methods.