COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH FIBROMYALGIA: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and impaired quality of life. Although conventional management includes pharmacological therapies, many patients seek complementary therapies to alleviate symptoms and improve their overall well-being. This integrative review aims to analyze the effectiveness of complementary therapies in the treatment of fibromyalgia, focusing on modalities such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Studies that met specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected, resulting in a total of X articles analyzed. The results indicate that complementary therapies can provide significant benefits in reducing pain and fatigue, in addition to improving patients' quality of life. Interventions that combine different complementary approaches have been shown to be particularly effective. It is concluded that the incorporation of complementary therapies in the management of fibromyalgia may be a promising strategy, but more rigorous research is required to validate these findings and establish clinical guidelines.