RECENT RESEARCH
groups . In conclusion , this review shows homeopathy is a promising and safe therapy for RD treatment . However , the data needs to be reproduced in future more extensive studies , including other rheumatic conditions .
Massage , myotherapy and other bodywork
Afrasiabifar A , Sadeghi M , Doulatabad SN . The effect of sole reflexology massage vs . stretching exercises on fatigue dimensions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis . Evidence Based Care Journal . 2024 ; 14 ( 2 ): 7-15 . 10.22038 / ebcj . 2024.77231.2959
Implications for Practice : Both sole reflexology and stretching exercises could improve fatigue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis , but this improvement was higher by stretching exercises than sole reflexology .
Naderi A , Rezvani MH , Aminian‐Far A , Hamood-Ahvazi S . Can a six-week Swedish massage reduce mood disorders and enhance the quality of life in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis ? A randomized control clinical trial . Explore . 2024 ; 20 ( 5 ): 103032 . https :// doi . org / 10.1016 / j . explore . 2024.103032 . lower levels of stress ( Hedge ' s g = 0 . 80 ), anxiety ( Hedge ' s g = 0.47 ), and depression ( Hedge ' s g = 0.70 ) than those in the usual treatment group ( p < 0.001 ). Additionally , the massage group had lower levels of pain , fatigue , and spasticity , and better sleep quality compared to the usual treatment group ( p < 0.05 ).
Conclusion : Swedish massage can be considered a valuable complementary and alternative treatment alongside conventional medicine for individuals with MS .
Background : Fatigue is the most common complaint among patients with rheumatoid arthritis , leading to decreased productivity and reduced quality of life .
Aim : The present study was conducted with aim to compare the effect of sole reflexology and stretching exercises on fatigue of rheumatoid arthritis patients .
Method : This clinical trial study was conducted on patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Yasuj city of Iran during 2017-2018 . Participants were selected through convenience sampling method but randomly allocated to one of the three groups using randomized block allocation . Multidimensional fatigue questionnaire was used to collect data at two times of pre and post interventions . The interventions were performed during 30 minutes per session for three sessions per week over one month .
Results : Mean scores of global fatigue before the interventions in the sole reflexology group was 80.72 ± 8.61 , in stretching exercise group 81 ± 7.30 , and in control group ( 76.43 ± 8.17 ), however , these values for post intervention were reported to be 68.72 ± 8.59 , 50.95 ± 5.73 , and 76.82 ± 7.43 , respectively . Intergroup comparison showed significant differences between the sole reflexology and stretching exercise groups with the control group ( p < 0.001 ); also the two intervention groups significantly differed ( p < 0.001 ).
Introduction : There is a limited amount of research specifically focusing on the effects of Swedish massage on mood disorders and the quality of life ( QOL ) among individuals with MS , emphasizing the need for further investigation . Therefore , this study aimed to assess the effects of a 6-week Swedish massage on the quality of life , stress , anxiety , depression , pain , fatigue , spasticity , and sleep quality in MS patients .
Methods : This randomized controlled trial involved 70 MS patients who were divided into two groups . The massage group underwent two 50-minute sessions of whole-body Swedish massage per week for six weeks , while the usual treatment group maintained their regular medical care routine . Outcomes were Short Form-36 ( SF-36 ) and the Depression , Anxiety , and Stress Scale ( DASS ), Visual Analog Scale ( VAS ), Fatigue Severity Scale ( FSS ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( PSQI-P ), and Modified Ashworth Scale ( MAS ). These measurements were taken before and after the massage intervention .
Results : The massage group demonstrated significant improvements in QOL and its components compared to the usual treatment group ( Hedge ' s g = 0.53 for QOL , ranging from 0.31 to 0.58 for QOL components ; p < 0.001 ). Participants in the massage group also reported significantly
Salarvand S , Heidari ME , Farahi K , Teymuri E , Almasian M , Bitaraf S . Effectiveness of massage therapy on fatigue and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis : A systematic review and meta-analysis . Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental , Translational and Clinical . 2021 ; 7 ( 2 ). doi : 10.1177 / 20552173211022779
Background : Fatigue and pain are prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis ( MS ) and frequent complaint in MS patients , which reduce their quality of life . This study aimed to assess the effect of massage therapy on pain and fatigue in MS Patients .
Method : The original and Persian databases were searched included PubMed , Web of Science , Embase , Ovid , Scopus , and the Cochrane Library , SID , and Iranedex from inception to November 2020 . Studies that reported the effect of massage on fatigue and pain were included . Two investigators extracted all relevant data , independently . For deriving analysis , mean difference ( MD ) and standardized mean difference ( SMD ) were used .
Result : Ten studies were eligible acoording criteria . The effect of massage on fatigue showed significant improvement ( −1.62 ; 95 % CL −2.40 , −0.83 ; p < . 00001 ), also results of the systematic review showed a significant reduction in pain severity .
Conclusion : Massage as a
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