Effects of Far Infrared Radiation on Fibromyalgia Patients

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of infrared radiation in improving the various symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome, by using a long-sleeved white shirt impregnated with a long-infrared irradiating bioceramic, as well as the adherence to it and its applicability in daily routines. A prospective, experimental, randomized, and double-blind study was carried. The study was implemented over 7 months, with a total of 5 visits for each patient. Participants were randomly allocated in experimental or control group. Those included in the experimental group received a shirt impregnated with ceramic emitting long infrared waves while participants in the placebo group received an exactly looking shirt, but not impregnated with ceramic emitting long infrared waves. Each visit comprised clinical evaluation and self-report scales filling (WPS, SS and FIQR scales).

Usage of a long-sleeved white shirt impregnated with a long-infrared irradiating bioceramic for a period of 12 weeks.

Usage of a long-sleeve white shirt (similar to the one in the experimental arm) but with no long-infrared technology for a period of 12 weeks.

The widespread pain index (WPI) is a 19-point checklist (score range: 0-19) that assesses the presence of pain or tenderness score means (within the prior seven days) in 19 specific areas of the body; each affected area receives one point.

The symptom severity score (SS) quantifies symptom severity on a 0-12 scale by assessing problems with fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and unrefreshed sleep over the past week. These scores are summed for a measure of the physician's impression of the number of somatic symptoms the patient has on a 0-3 scale.

Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) is a 21-item self-administered questionnaire. All items are visual analogue scales with 11 boxes discreetly scoring from 0 to 10 with 10 being 'worst'. All questions are framed in the context of the past 7 days.

EQ-5D is a standardized measure of health-related quality of life. EQ-5D assesses health status in terms of five dimensions of health (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression).

Inclusion Criteria: age superior to 18 years-old ability to freely sign the informed consent form generalized pain index scores (WPI ≥ 7 and SS score ≥ 5, or WPI ≥ 3 and ≤ 6 with SS ≥ 9, presence of abdominal pain and / or with depression and / or headache, in the last 6 months, at the screening consultation). Exclusion Criteria: dermatological diseases Other rheumatic and /or autoimmune diseases