Effects of shiatsu in the management of fibromyalgia symptoms: a controlled pilot study
Authors: Yuan SL1, Berssaneti AA, Marques AP
An article was published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Volume 36, Issue 7, September 2013, Pages 436-443 on a pilot study (on a small number of participants to test the viability of research methods) examining the benefits of shiatsu in people with fibromyalgia symptoms.
This pilot study demonstrated, identified and measured a variety of elements that may show change after receiving whole body shiatsu compared to a control group who did not receive any shiatsu.
The elements measured were; sleep quality, pain, anxiety and symptoms impact (of fibromyalgia) as well as satisfaction with shiatsu and any adverse effects from treatment.
All measurements except the anxiety measure showed significant changes after 8 weeks of receiving shiatsu treatment (test group) as opposed to the control group who received no shiatsu.
These changes were:
pressure pain threshold (76.4%),
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (34.4%), and
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (22.30%).
No clinically relevant changes were observed for anxiety after treatment and no adverse effects were reported during the treatment. About 94% of the patients demonstrated satisfaction with Shiatsu.
The full abstract can be read at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23830713
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