RECENT RESEARCH was 45 % in men and 52 % in women . The highest subscale scores on average were for fatigue , with the lowest for somatic symptoms . All subscale scores showed , on average , a similar reduction of approximately 50 % postintervention , with the reduction in score relating to a decrease in the severity of symptoms .
Conclusion : Our findings suggest that a specific manual lymphatic drainage intervention may help to reduce fatigue symptoms related to Long COVID . Perhaps preventing acute symptoms through early intervention .
Algar-Ramírez M , Úbeda-D ' Ocasar E , Hervás- Pérez JP . Efficacy of manual lymph drainage and myofascial therapy in patients with fibromyalgia : A systematic review . Schmerz . 2021 ; 35 ( 5 ): 349- 359 . doi : 10.1007 / s00482-020-00520-7
Introduction : Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease of unknown origin characterized by widespread pain , fatigue , disordered sleep and joint stiffness among other symptoms .
Objective : To compare outcomes of manual lymph drainage and myofascial therapy in patients with fibromyalgia .
Methods ; This was a systematic review . The databases PubMed / MEDLINE , CINAHL , SCOPUS , ScieLo , PEDro , Dialnet , Web of Science , and Elsevier were searched for articles in English or Spanish examining the efficacy of myofascial therapy and / or manual lymph drainage to treat fibromyalgia . Of 356 articles extracted , sixteen articles and one doctoral thesis fulfilled the criteria established for inclusion .
Results : The methodological quality of the studies reported in the articles was good ( PEDro score 7.49 ± 1.47 ). The studies included compared different treatments with lymph drainage and / or myofascial therapy . Outcomes indicated improved quality of life for both therapies in all the studies .
Conclusions : Myofascial therapy and lymph drainage may be effective in patients with fibromyalgia . Further work is needed as the scientific evidence available is still insufficient .
Ughreja RO , Venkatesan P , Gopalakrishna DB , Singh YP . Effectiveness of myofascial release on pain , sleep , and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome : A systematic review . Complement Ther Clin Pract . 2021 ; 45:101477 . doi : 10.1016 / j . ctcp . 2021.101477
Background and purpose : There is limited evidence on the effects of myofascial release on fibromyalgia symptoms . This review aims to update the evidence on the effectiveness of myofascial release on pain , sleep , and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome .
Methods : The review was prepared following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses guidelines . PubMed , Scopus , Cochrane Library , Physiotherapy Evidence Database , Embase , Web of Science , Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Complete , and ProQuest Medical library were searched from their inception to April 1 , 2021 for randomized or nonrandomized clinical trials published in English . Studies consisting of myofascial release alone or in combination with exercise as the intervention were included . The quality of the studies was evaluated using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 .
Results : Six studies , including a total of 279 participants , were included in the review . The meta-analysis showed a large significant effect of myofascial release on pain posttreatment ( -0.81 [ 95 % CI = -1.15 to -0.47 ], p < 0.00001 ) and a moderate effect at 6 months post-treatment ( -0.61 , 95 % CI = -0.95 to -0.28 , p = 0.0003 ).
Conclusion : The review demonstrated moderate evidence for the effect of therapist administered and self-myofascial release in improving pain , sleep subscales , and quality of life against sham and no treatment , respectively , in fibromyalgia syndrome patients . However , more highquality randomized controlled trials with manual control group are required to be conducted at different geographical locations to generalize the findings .
Naturopathy
Barber MS , Barrett R , Bradley RD , Walker E . A naturopathic treatment approach for mild and moderate COVID-19 : A retrospective chart review . Complement Ther Med . 2021 ; 63:102788 doi : 10.1016 / j . ctim . 2021.102788
Objectives : The coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) pandemic has led to significant morbidity and mortality . Although COVID-19 vaccination is available , therapeutic options are still needed . The goal of the present manuscript is to report on a treatment strategy used in a naturopathic medical practice for mild and moderate COVID-19 .
Design : A retrospective chart review was conducted of 30 consecutive patients diagnosed with mild and moderate COVID-19 who were provided multinutrient , herbal , and probiotic treatment in a rural , out-patient , naturopathic primary care setting .
Main outcomes measures : The primary outcome was treatment safety ; secondary outcomes included changes in symptoms , progression to severe COVID-19 , incidence of long COVID , and recovery time .
Results : No side effects or adverse events were reported from treatment and all patients experienced resolution of symptoms presumed to be associated with COVID-19 infection . One patient who had been ill for 28 days prior to presentation was hospitalized . Five patients had an illness duration of more than one month . Time to treatment was correlated with duration of illness post-treatment ( r = 0.63 , p < 0.001 ) and more symptoms at presentation was correlated with a longer duration of illness ( r = 0.52 , p < 0.01 ).
Conclusions : In this retrospective chart review , a multi-nutrient , herbal , and probiotic therapeutic approach for mild and moderate COVID-19 appeared to be well-tolerated . Delay in seeking treatment after symptom onset , as well as more symptoms at presentation , were correlated with a longer duration of illness . This treatment strategy may have clinical benefit , warranting prospective clinical trials with confirmed COVID-19 cases .
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