Effects of Topical O24 Essential Oils on Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: To review the literature on topical pain management in fibromyalgia [FMS] and to report on effective treatment with topical O24 essential oils.

Methods: Following a literature review of MEDLINE and EMBASE for published randomized controlled trials on topical therapies for FMS pain treatment, a double-blinded placebo controlled trial was carried out in outpatient clinics on 153 subjects meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS using topical O24 essential oils for a treatment period of one month. Main outcome measures were pain visual analog scale ratings, a diary, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Jamar grip strength, pressure algometry measurements of tender point [TeP] pain threshold, and seven-point Lanier scale rating of treatment.

Results: In the 133 participants with complete data, improvements were noted in the visual analog scale night pain rating [P = 0.018], Jamar grip strength [P < 0.001], number of TePs [P < 0.001] and average TeP pain threshold [P < 0.001], and the Lanier scale [P = 0.001] with topical O24 over the placebo.

Conclusion: This pilot randomized controlled trial suggests that FMS patients may be effectively managed for pain with topical O24. This would need to be confirmed with larger and longer randomized controlled trials. The topical O24 essential oils appear to have a clinically important effect in FMS.

KEYWORDS:

• Essential oils
• fibromyalgia
• chronic pain syndrome
• trigger point
• low back pain
• naturopathy
• alternative medicine