Research about Watsu and fibromyalgia

Here is one (of many) research abstracts available at www.aquaticnet.com/refshare.htm which show the power of aquatic therapy.

Kieren Faull. A pilot study of the comparative effectiveness of two water-based treatments for fibromyalgia syndrome: Watsu and Aix massage. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2005; 9(3): 202-210.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness on health outcomes of a proposed holistic therapy (Watsu, WATer shiatSU) as a possible intervention for people with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) by comparing its effectiveness with the present water-based therapy, Aix massage.

Methods: Thirteen females diagnosed with FMS completed Watsuand Aix treatments. Short-Form-36 General Health Survey (SF-36) data were collected at the start and completion of treatment in a two-condition, within-subject, reverse-order counterbalanced design. Each SF-36 subscale was tested with a two-way, repeated measure analysis of variance.

Results: Significant change in treatment and interaction effects were found for Watsu on the SF-36 subscales of physical function, bodily pain, vitality and social function, but not for Aix treatment.

Conclusions: Watsu was supported as an effective holistic intervention compared to Aix massage. Variables other than Watsu may have caused the significant result. A study with a larger sample and a control group is required before it can be inferred that the change is due to this therapy.

Corresponding author. Tel.: +6473480189x877; fax: +6473431660. QE Health, P.O. Box 1342, Rotorua, New Zealand. Received 26 August 2004; revised 29 November 2004; accepted 2 December 2004. Available online 23 March 2005.

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Maybe you'd like to write a guest article on my blog about your experience with this?