Fibromyalgia Treatment Trial With Gabapentin and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (FTTGO)

This study assesses the benefits of intervention with gabapentin, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine or both for improvement of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. This study also seeks to determine whether these treatments will decrease the number and severity of tender points, improve structure, function and the overall pain level of each patient from the baseline of the study to the end. This study is designed to evaluate whether subjects subjectively experience an improved quality of life and increased function as a result of these interventions corresponding to objective improvements.

An 8-week, randomized, study was designed to compare gabapentin (900 mg/day) (n = 8 patients) with OMM (n = 11 patients) with Combined treatment of gabapentin (900 mg/day) plus OMM (n = 7 patients) for efficacy and safety in treating pain, fatigue, depression and function associated with fibromyalgia. The primary outcome measures were measured during week 2 and week 8 to evaluate efficacy of each arm and compare efficacy between each arm at improving structure, function and pain. The Baker Wong Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was evaluated weekly for average pain severity score (range 0-10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = pain as bad as you can imagine). Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) a tool that evaluates function and health status was administered at week 2 and week 8 for comparison of functioning at the baseline and end of the study. The total number of Tender Points (0-18) as determined by the American College of Rheumatology was counted at week 2 and week 8 to compare number of tender points from the baseline to the end. Dolorimetry in Kg/cm2 as measured by the Fischer Dolorimeter were measured on the 4 most severe tender points at week 2 and week 8 to compare severity of tender points from baseline to end of study. The Osteopathic Structural Examination which measures free range of motion of joints in degrees was measured with goniometry at week 2 and week 8 to evaluate degrees of free range of motion improved from baseline. The Clinical Global Impression which is a likert scale of 1-5 asking patients to evaluate how they feel about their overall health was taken at week 2 and week 8 to see if overall subjective thoughts of health were improved from baseline.

6 weeks of both Gabapentin 900 mg HS given orally was accompanied with Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine treatment 30 minutes weekly to the tender points of the musculoskeletal system of each patient for 6 weeks.

6 weeks of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Treatment was applied to the patients tender points in the musculoskeletal system weekly by a 30 minute treatment.

Based on Osteopathic Structural Examination and Tender point Examination a 30 minute treatment of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine was applied to each patient every week for 6 weeks.

Combination therapy of gabapentin 900 mg po HS for 6 weeks and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine 30 minute treatment weekly for each patient based on Osteopathic Structural Examination and Tender point Examination

Efficacy by Wong-Baker Pain Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact questionaire,Osteopathic Structural Exam, Clinical Global Impression of Change, Tenderpoints and Dolorimetry were assessed at week one and week 8 of treatment.

safety of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and Gapapentin by evaluation of treatment reactions weekly and laboratories before and after the study.

Inclusion Criteria: Female or male patients were eligible for the study if they were 18-65 years of age and met the ACR criteria for fibromyalgia ([1]). Exclusion Criteria: Patients with other rheumatic or medical disorders that contributed to the symptoms of fibromyalgia were excluded. Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, or autoimmune disease; Pain from traumatic injury or structural or regional rheumatic disease; Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, or autoimmune disease; Unstable medical or psychiatric illness; Lifetime history of psychosis, hypomania or mania, epilepsy, or dementia; Substance abuse in the last 6 months; Serious risk of suicide; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; Unacceptable contraception in those of childbearing potential; Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, were treatment refractory; and prior failed treatment with gabapentin, pregabalin or OMM.

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