Effectiveness of Bowen Therapy for Pain Management in Patients With Fibromyalgia (NCT04554784) | Clinical Trial Compass
UnknownNot Applicable
Effectiveness of Bowen Therapy for Pain Management in Patients With Fibromyalgia
Hong Kong80 participantsStarted 2020-09-06
Plain-language summary
The aim of this prospective, randomized study is to explore the effectiveness of Bowen Therapy in pain management for patients with fibromyalgia. In Hong Kong, Bowen Therapy is a non-invasive technique and one of the treatment modalities adopted by Occupational Therapists. Bowen Therapy uses specific sequences of gentle cross-fibre moves over muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia to stimulate or improve the flow of blood and lymph, and thus activate the body's healing mechanisms that enhances tissue repair. As a result, it can lessen pain and tension, restore more optimal body function, and subsequently alleviate emotional and psychological stress associated with the pain. Bowen Therapy is widely recognized and utilized worldwide for acute and chronic health conditions from new-born to the elderly, both mobilized and bed-ridden patients with no documented evidence to show it has caused any harm or adverse effects.
There are two study groups in this study and patients will be randomized and allocated to either one. One group (Control group) will continue receiving conventional treatment; while another group (Bowen group) will receive 8 sessions of Bowen therapy. The investigators hypothesize that Bowen Therapy is superior to the conventional pain treatment for patients with fibromyalgia.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Widespread pain index (WPI) ≧7 and symptom severity (SS) scale score ≧5 or WPI between 3 and 6 with SS scale score ≧9. The WPI includes evaluation of tender points at 19 regions. Tender point count (TPC) is examined by application of approximately 4 kg/cm2 pressure with the tip of the thumb on those regions.
* Symptoms have been present at a similar level for at least 3 months.
* Patient does not have any disorder that would otherwise explain the pain
* Agrees to participate in the study and agree to discontinue other alternatives treatments except in conditions otherwise approved by the investigators.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patient refusal
* pregnancy
* assessed to be contraindicated to participate by pain specialists due to the presence of other co-morbidities or conditions
* underlining disease that affect mobility of upper limb and lower limb
* known severe psychiatric illness
* known malignancy, skin disease, infectious disease, severe cardiovascular disease, patients taking anti-coagulants
* enrolled in other studies
* refuse to temporarily discontinue concurrent treatment or intervention as pain management during the study period e.g. alternative medicine, physiotherapy, chiropractor
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change of Pain Score
Timeframe: 3 different time points that include before the study (0 week), the mid term (12th week) and end of the study (24th weeks)