Evaluation of Clinical Physiotherapy on Fibromyalgia by Applying Methods Used in Research

Abstract

Background: The measurement of the efficacy of physiotherapy often depends on retrospective evaluation. Prospective, repeated measurements by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire on a single patient showed how variables change in the course of a treatment process.

Findings: After an intervention period, the patient reported no change in health status when asked retrospectively. Compared with initial values the mean values for the second part of treatment showed a reduction in pain [66%], stiffness [70%], and physical impairment [42%].

Conclusion: Repeated measurements may show values for the size of treatment effects and their progression that the clinical observations do not detect.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia
• physiotherapy
• nonmedical treatment
• Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
• repeated measurements