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Physikalische Medizin, Rehabilitationsmedizin, Kurortmedizin 2011; 21(06): 284-289
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1291336
Wissenschaft und Forschung
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of a Series of H2S Mineral Water Bathing on Pain in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome – A Pilot Study

Wirkungen serieller H2S-Mineralwasserbäder auf Schmerzen bei Patienten mit Fibromyalgiesyndrom – eine Pilotstudie
B. Nugraha
1   Hannover Medical Schoolm, Rehabilitation Medicine, Hannover, Germany
,
M. Neues-Lahusen
1   Hannover Medical Schoolm, Rehabilitation Medicine, Hannover, Germany
,
F. Candir
1   Hannover Medical Schoolm, Rehabilitation Medicine, Hannover, Germany
,
C. Gutenbrunner
1   Hannover Medical Schoolm, Rehabilitation Medicine, Hannover, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

eingereicht: 17 June 2011

angenommen: 10 October 2011

Publication Date:
21 December 2011 (online)

Also available at
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Abstract

Objective:

Since the difficulties to provide effective treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients, several studies have been performed in order to find best treatment, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. One of possibilities in non-pharmacological treatments for chronic pain patients is balneotherapy. Sulphur bath treatment is one of balneotherapies which is known as being useful for pain patients. Our previous studies showed that sulphur bath treatment could reduce the pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Hence, we evaluated the long term effect of sulphur bathing in FMS patients.

Method:

In this study, we investigated 32 female FMS patients who matched the criteria of American College of Rheumatology. The patients were randomized into 2 groups. First group was treated with sulphur based bath (20.4 mg/l) and the control group which was only treated with tap water. Both groups were treated 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Main outcome parameter was Lautenschläger pain score. Additional parameters were pressure and heat and cold pain thresholds.

Results:

Lautenschläger pain score significantly reduced in 4 week duration serial sulphur bath but not in control group (treatment group: x= − 16.6±3.6; control group: x=3.8±4.1; p<0.001). However, the effect did not show statistically significance after 3 months of follow-up. In addition, after 4 weeks of treatment, pressure pain threshold values were significantly different in sulphur bath group compared to control group (treatment group: x=10.6±0.2; control group: x=3.7±1.9; p<0.05). This effect was not seen in heat pain (treatment group: x= − 0.19±0.1; control group: x=2.5±1.4; p>0.05) and cold pain (treatment group: x= − 1.89±0.8; control group: x=− 2.0±0.6; p>0.05) thresholds.

Conclusion:

Although this study is only pilot study and only have small number of patients, however this study is promising that H2S could be an alternative methods for FMS treatment.

Zusammenfassung

Fragestellung:

Da ein Goldstandard der Therapie des Fibromyalgiesyndroms (FMS) nicht besteht, sind weitere Studien zur Wirksamkeit ­verschiedener Therapieformen notwendig, einschließlich pharmakologische und nichtpharmakologischer Behandlungen. Eine Option der nicht­pharmakologischen Therapie bei chronischen Schmerzen besteht in Balneotherapie, wobei Schwefelbäder eine Option mit bekannter Wir­kung auf Schmerzpatienten sind. In vorangegangenen Untersuchungen haben wir gezeigt, dass Schwefelbäder bei Patienten mit Rheumatoider Arthritis analgetische Wirkungen haben. So sollte in der vorliegenden Studie der Langzeiteffekt einer Serie von Schwefelbädern auf Schmerzen bei FMS geprüft werden.

Methodik:

Untersucht wurden 32 Patientinnen mit FMS nach den Kriterien des American College of Rheumatology, die randomisiert in ­2 Gruppen eingeteilt wurden. Die erste Gruppe erhielt eine Serie von Schwefelwasserstoffbädern (20,4 mg/l), während die zweite Gruppe als Kontrollgruppe Leitungswasserbäder erhielt. Beide Gruppen wurden 3-mal pro Woche über insge­samt 4 Wochen behandelt. Hauptoutcomeparameter war der FMS-Schmerzscore nach Lautenschläger. Zusätzlich wurden thermische und Druckschmerzschwellen gemessen.

Ergebnisse:

In der Schwefelgruppe sank der mittlere Schmerzscore innerhalb der 4 Behandlungswochen signifikant ab während er in der Kontrollgruppe im Mittel unverändert blieb ­(Interventiongruppe: x= − 16,6±3,6; Kontrollgruppe: x=3,8±4,1; p<0,001). Allerdings hielt dieser Effekt in der 3-monatigen Nachkontrollpe­riode nicht an. Auch bei den Druckschmerzschwellen fanden sich Unterschiede zwischen der Schwefelwasser- und Kontrollgruppe (Interventiongruppe: x=10,6±0,2; Kontrollgruppe: x=3,7±1,9; p<0,05), nicht allerdings bei den Hitze- ­(Interventiongruppe: x= − 0,19±0,1; Kontrollgruppe: x=2,5±1,4; p>0,05) und Kälte-Schmerzschwellen (Interventiongruppe: x= − 1,89±0,8; Kontrollgruppe: x= − 2,0±0,6; p>0,05).

Schlussfolgerung:

Obwohl es sich bei der vorliegenden Untersuchung um eine Pilotstudie mit geringer Fallzahl handelt, so zeigen sich doch vielversprechende Ergibnisse, die nahelegen, dass Schwefelbäder eine alternative Behandlungsmethode der Fibromyalgie sein könnten.

Key words

fibromyalgia - musculoskeletal pain - rehabilitation medicine - sulphur bath

Schlüsselwörter

Fibromyalgiesyndrom - Balneotherapie - Schwefelwasserstoffbäder - Schmerzen
 

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