TR
EN
The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial
Abstract
Objective: The point of this study was to look into how electroacupuncture (EA) and connective tissue massage (CTM) affect people with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), since not much is known about their effects. The study's objective is to compare the effects of EA and CTM in FMS symptoms.
Method: The study population comprised 60 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, who were randomly assigned to either the electroacupuncture (EAG) or connective tissue massage (CMG) groups. EA was administered for a duration of 20 minutes, three times per week, to the EAG group. CTM was similarly administered for a duration of 20 minutes, three times per week, to the CMG. The primary and secondary outcomes were measured before and after the last intervention.
Results: These outcomes included pain threshold (PT), tender point count (TPC), pain intensity (PI), joint motion angles, morning stiffness duration, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality (SQ). The results showed significant improvements (p<0.05) in both groups for PT, TPC, PI, depression, and SQ findings. The enhancement in PT, PI, and left shoulder joint flexion angle was more pronounced in the EAG (p<0.05), while the improvement in depression was more evident in the CMG (p<0.05). For other outcomes, we observed no significant interaction within or between groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Consequently, EA was identified as a superior method for enhancing pain threshold and severity, while CTM was found to be more effective in reducing depressive symptoms. One of these methods may be preferable for reducing TPC and increasing SQ.
Keywords
References
- Ağargün, M. Y., Kara, H., & Anlar, Ö. (1996). Pittsburgh Uyku Kalitesi İndeksi'nin geçerliliği ve güvenirliği. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi, 7(2), 107–115.
- Ali, U., Apryani, E., Wu, H. Y., Mao, X. F., Wang, Y. X., & Cui, W. Q. (2020). Low frequency electroacupuncture alleviates neuropathic pain by activation of spinal microglial IL-10/β-endorphin pathway. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 125, 109898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.109898.
- Calik, B. B., Kabul, E. G., Keskin, A., Ozcan, N. T., & Cobankara, V. (2024). Is connective tissue massage effective in individuals with fibromyalgia? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 38, 162–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.11.026.
- Cheng, Y. C., Lin, C. H., Chiu, T. H., & Chou, L. W. (2023). Treating fibromyalgia with electrical neuromodulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Neurophysiology, 148, 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2023.03.002.
- Deluze, C., Bosia, L., Zirbs, A., Chantraine, A., & Vischer, T. L. (1992). Electroacupuncture in fibromyalgia: Results of a controlled trial. BMJ, 305(6864), 1249–1252. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.305.6864.1249.
- Dworkin, R. H., Turk, D. C., Wyrwich, K. W., Beaton, D., Cleeland, C. S., Farrar, J. T., … Zavisic, S. (2008). Interpreting the clinical importance of treatment outcomes in chronic pain clinical trials: IMMPACT recommendations. The Journal of Pain, 9(2), 105–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2007.09.005.
- Ekici, G., Bakar, Y., Akbayrak, T., & Yuksel, I. (2009). Comparison of manual lymph drainage therapy and connective tissue massage in women with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 32(2), 127–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.12.001.
- Er, G., & Yüksel, İ. (2023). A comparison of the effects of connective tissue massage and classical massage on chronic mechanical low back pain. Medicine, 102(15), e33516. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000033516.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
June 30, 2026
Submission Date
June 3, 2026
Acceptance Date
June 21, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1
APA
Güneş, A., & Tekeoğlu, İ. (2026). The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial. Doğal Yaşam Tıbbı Dergisi, 8(1), 34-50. https://doi.org/10.71051/jnlm.1963101
AMA
1.Güneş A, Tekeoğlu İ. The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial. JNLM. 2026;8(1):34-50. doi:10.71051/jnlm.1963101
Chicago
Güneş, Ahmet, and İbrahim Tekeoğlu. 2026. “The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial”. Doğal Yaşam Tıbbı Dergisi 8 (1): 34-50. https://doi.org/10.71051/jnlm.1963101.
EndNote
Güneş A, Tekeoğlu İ (June 1, 2026) The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial. Doğal Yaşam Tıbbı Dergisi 8 1 34–50.
IEEE
[1]A. Güneş and İ. Tekeoğlu, “The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial”, JNLM, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 34–50, June 2026, doi: 10.71051/jnlm.1963101.
ISNAD
Güneş, Ahmet - Tekeoğlu, İbrahim. “The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial”. Doğal Yaşam Tıbbı Dergisi 8/1 (June 1, 2026): 34-50. https://doi.org/10.71051/jnlm.1963101.
JAMA
1.Güneş A, Tekeoğlu İ. The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial. JNLM. 2026;8:34–50.
MLA
Güneş, Ahmet, and İbrahim Tekeoğlu. “The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial”. Doğal Yaşam Tıbbı Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 34-50, doi:10.71051/jnlm.1963101.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Güneş, İbrahim Tekeoğlu. The Effects of Electroacupuncture and Connective Tissue Massage on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Comparative Clinical Trial. JNLM. 2026 Jun. 1;8(1):34-50. doi:10.71051/jnlm.1963101