Effectiveness of the Strain Counterstrain Technique in Women With Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Hasan Kalyoncu University105 enrolled

Overview

This study evaluates whether strain counterstrain therapy affects pain, fatigue, psychological status, and quality of life in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Participants are assigned to one of three groups: a control group, a conservative treatment group, or a conservative treatment plus strain counterstrain therapy group. Treatment sessions are conducted five days per week for three weeks. Outcomes are assessed before and after the intervention using validated measurement scales. The purpose is to compare changes among groups and determine the effects of adding strain counterstrain therapy to conservative treatment.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and functional limitations that may negatively affect psychological well-being and quality of life. Nonpharmacological approaches are commonly used in management and may support symptom control and functional improvement. Manual therapy techniques are among the interventions applied to address musculoskeletal symptoms. This study is designed to investigate the effects of strain counterstrain therapy in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Participants are assigned to different intervention groups receiving either standard care alone or standard care combined with a manual therapy approach. The intervention is administered according to a structured treatment protocol over a defined study period. Outcome measures evaluate changes in pain, fatigue, psychological status, and quality of life using validated assessment instruments.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

105

Conditions

Interventions

Conservative Physiotherapy ProgramOTHER

The conservative physiotherapy program consists of standard physical therapy modalities applied according to a structured treatment protocol. Sessions are conducted five days per week for three weeks and include routinely used physiotherapy approaches intended to support symptom management and functional improvement.

Strain Counterstrain TherapyPROCEDURE

Strain counterstrain therapy is a manual therapy technique applied by a trained therapist using passive positioning methods intended to reduce musculoskeletal tenderness and improve comfort. The intervention is administered according to a structured treatment protocol during scheduled sessions over the study period.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALE

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Female participants aged within the predefined study age range * Diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to established clinical criteria * Ability to participate in treatment sessions and assessments * Willingness to participate and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Those in menopause or postmenstrual period, * Those with psychiatric, neurological and/or chronic progressive systemic disease, * Those with immunodeficiency, * Those with heart, kidney, or liver failure, * Those receiving any pharmacological treatment, * Those with health issues preventing participation in the treatment programmes, * Pregnant patients were excluded from the study.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)

Pain intensity is assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a validated measure consisting of a 10-cm line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Participants indicate their pain level on the scale, and change is calculated as the difference between pre-intervention and post-intervention scores.