Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although some studies evaluated the effectiveness of massage therapy for fibromyalgia (FM), the role of massage therapy in the management of FM remained controversial.

Objective

The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence of massage therapy for patients with FM.

Methods

Electronic databases (up to June 2013) were searched to identify relevant studies. The main outcome measures were pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. Two reviewers independently abstracted data and appraised risk of bias. The risk of bias of eligible studies was assessed based on Cochrane tools. Standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by more conservative random-effects model. And heterogeneity was assessed base

SUBMITTER: Li YH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3930706 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature