Effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicines in Treating Fibromyalgia

Are complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) effective in treating patients with fibromyalgia? A review of seven studies, three of which used homeopathy, was published in a recent issue of Rheumatology. “In the studies of homeopathy, patients demonstrated improvements in tender point pain, tender point count, quality of life, global health, and depression compared with patients who received placebo.”

The referenced study is De Silva V, El-Metwally A, Ernst E, et al; Arthritis Research Campaign working group on complementary and alternative medicines. Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of fibromyalgia: a systematic review. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2010;49(6):1063-1068.