Fibromyalgia, an electrode suit improves symptoms

An electrode suit that delivers targeted impulses to specific muscle groups improves fibromyalgia symptoms and patients' quality of life. This is according to a recent study coordinated by researchers from the Université Paris Est, Créteil and published in the European Journal of Pain. "Fibromyalgia is a multifactorial and complex syndrome, characterized by chronic and widespread pain affecting the musculoskeletal system, sensitivity to pressure and a low threshold to stimuli," explain the researchers. It is estimated that the disease affects up to 5% of the world's population, with a major impact on quality of life. "Currently approved pharmacological treatments rarely offer satisfactory management," add the researchers. "A wide range of non-pharmacological methods have also been proposed in this context." One of these is an electrical stimulation system incorporated into a suit (called Exopulse Mollii) equipped with 58 electrodes integrated into the fabric. These electrodes deliver targeted electrical impulses to specific muscle groups, modulating nerve activity. The researchers tested the 'neurosuit' on 33 patients, mostly women, who wore the suit daily for 1 hour a day for 4 consecutive weeks. The effects of using the device were positive. 78% of participants reported significant improvements in their overall clinical picture. In particular, a 25% reduction in pain intensity, a 54% improvement in the perception of their own energy, a 12% reduction in depressive symptoms and a 21% increase in scores on a test that measures the overall impact of the disease were reported. "This study suggests the clinical benefits of the Exopulse Mollii Suit in alleviating fibromyalgia-related pain and fatigue, emotional symptoms and the impact of the disease", the researchers conclude.