Does a three week treatment with microcurrents improve the functional level of people with fibromyalgia syndrome?

ISRCTN ISRCTN04459421
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN04459421
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
19/03/2010
Registration date
09/09/2010
Last edited
09/09/2010
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Isabel Salvat
Scientific

Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut
C/Sant Llorenç 21
Reus (Tarragona)
43201
Spain

Study information

Study designSingle centre single blind randomised placebo controlled study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleDoes a three week treatment with microcurrents improve the functional level of people with fibromyalgia syndrome? A randomised placebo-controlled trial
Study objectivesFibromyalgia syndrome is a common medical condition characterised by chronic widespread pain and allodynia. Existing data suggest that disturbed central pain processing plays an important role in its pathogenesis.

Microcurrent treatment reduces Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) symptoms and thus improves the functional ability of those affected.
Ethics approval(s)Clinical Research Ethical Committee of the Hospital Sant Joan (Reus) on the 27th of April 2006 (Ref. No, 06-04-27/ 4proju)
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)
InterventionThe subjects will be randomised into a microcurrent group and a placebo group. They all will receive two 30 minute sessions a week for three weeks. They will ask to attend all sessions but can leave the study at any time.

Treatment involves applying self-adhesive electrodes to the two areas that the subject find most painful at that moment (Intensity = 100 microamperes; frequency between 30 and 40 Hz; two channels). The researcher chooses the electrode position on the basis of these indicators and using the research team’s predefined protocol, which have standardized the electrode positions. The subject will be then placed in a prone, lateral, or supine position as comfortable as possible with supporting cushions.
The placebo group will believe that the equipment would be switched on and off so that they will think they will receive the same treatment. However, the equipment will remain off at all times and the current will be not applied. This simulation is possible because microcurrents are not sufficiently intense to stimulate the sensitive nerve fibers and thus are not perceived by patients.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureFibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (Cuestionario de Impacto de la Fibromialgia [CIF])
The values of the CIF are between 0 and 100, 0 being the best state of health and 100 the worst. CIF will be assessed at the start of treatment (CIF0), at the end of the treatment (CIF1) and at one month after treatment (CIF2).
Secondary outcome measuresVisual analog scale (VAS) (0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain), assessed at the start of treatment (VAS0), at end of the treatment (VAS1) and at one month after treatment (VAS2).
Overall study start date01/03/2006
Completion date01/05/2010

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants44 patients
Key inclusion criteria1. Adult patients of either sex diagnosed with FMS in accordance with the American College of Rheumatology’s criteria (final age range at end of recruitment was 33-71 years)
2. Recruited from the Catalan Association for People Affected by FMS
Key exclusion criteria1. Suffering from a multiple organic disease
2. Pregnant
3. Patients with a demand-type cardiac pacemaker
4. Receiving physiotherapy treatment or having finished treatment in the previous month
Date of first enrolment01/03/2006
Date of final enrolment01/05/2010

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Spain

Study participating centre

Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut
Reus (Tarragona)
43201
Spain

Sponsor information

University Rovira i Virgili (Spain)
University/education

C/Sant Llorenç 21
Reus (Tarragona)
43201
Spain

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00g5sqv46

Funders

Funder type

University/education

University Rovira i Virgili (Spain)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan