A Novel Treatment for Fibromyalgia Improves Clinical Outcomes in a Community-Based Study

Abstract

Objectives: Immunoreactant load was assessed by using lymphocyte response assay [LRA] with cell response/blastogenic mixed cell culture to determine if substitution of reactive items would be associated with remission of symptoms in subjects with fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS].

Methods: Fibromyalgia subjects [N = 51] were assigned to a control [C: N = 11] or treatment [T: N = 40] group; C maintained usual life-styles and T, after LRA testing, underwent a program of substitution and nutritional repletion with metabolic intermediates. All subjects participated in biweekly support groups and completed questionnaires [0 months, three months, and six months] to document changes.

Results: After six months T experienced 50% less pain, 70% less depression, 50% more energy, and 30% less stiffness, whereas C reported an increase in pain and depression, and comparable levels of stiffness and energy as compared to pre-program levels.

Conclusions: These data suggest that reducing the immunoreactant load in FMS, while stimulating repair, may help re-establish homeostasis and neuroimmune hormonal control

KEYWORDS:

• Affective disorder
• clinical protocol
• colonic diseases
• fibromyalgia
• immunoactivators
• food and environmental sensitivity