Efficacy of manual lymph drainage and myofascial therapy in patients with fibromyalgia: A systematic review

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease of unknown origin characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, disordered sleep and joint stiffness among other symptoms. To compare outcomes of manual lymph drainage and myofascial therapy in patients with fibromyalgia. This was a systematic review. The databases PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, ScieLo, PEDro, Dialnet, Web of Science, and Elsevier were searched for articles in English or Spanish examining the efficacy of myofascial therapy and/or manual lymph drainage to treat fibromyalgia. Of 356 articles extracted, sixteen articles and one doctoral thesis fulfilled the criteria established for inclusion. The methodological quality of the studies reported in the articles was good (PEDro score 7.49 ± 1.47). The studies included compared different treatments with lymph drainage and/or myofascial therapy. Outcomes indicated improved quality of life for both therapies in all the studies. Myofascial therapy and lymph drainage may be effective in patients with fibromyalgia. Further work is needed as the scientific evidence available is still insufficient.