The aim of this study was to evaluate the short term and one year follow-up results of connective tissue manipulation and combined ultrasound therapy (ultrasound and high voltage pulsed galvanic stimulation) in terms of pain, complaint of non-restorative sleep and impact on the functional activities in patients with fibromyalgia.

This is an observational prospective cohort study, investigating short and long term results of physiotherapy applications in 20 female patients with fibromyalgia. Physical characteristics of the subjects were recorded. Intensity of pain, complaint of non-restorative sleep, and impact of fibromyalgia on functional activities were evaluated by visual analogue scales. All evaluations were performed before and after 20 sessions of treatment, which included connective tissue manipulation of the back daily, for a total of 20 sessions and combined ultrasound therapy of the upper back region every other session. One year follow-up evaluations could be performed on 14 subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

Women with pain depending to FM, with an intensity interfering to activities of daily living for a duration of at least six months, able to participate of 20 physiotherapy sessions within a four week period, volunteer for participating to the study without taking any drugs acting on the nervous system such as antidepressants, myorelaxants, analgesics or hypnotics, in the study period.

Exclusion Criteria:

evidence of neurological, infectious, endocrine and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases, and experience with any kind of manual and/or electrotherapy, within six months before the study.

The sample was derived from a population of 83 FM outpatients of the Hacettepe University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation