Cytokine changes with microcurrent treatment of fibromyalgia associated with cervical spine trauma

Conclusion: In a retrospective study based on analysis of subjective VAS pain scores for 54 patients, symptoms of fibromyalgia following cervical spine trauma were successfully treated with microamperage current. In a subgroup of the same patients, subjective pain improvement scores were accompanied by substantial reduction in serum levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α, and the neuropeptide substance P. Beta-endorphin release and increases in serum cortisol were also observed in these patients during the same treatment period. The subjective outcomes scores in conjunction with biological markers for pain and pro-inflammatory cytokines observed in response to this treatment protocol are important preliminary findings. Based on the observations reported in this analysis, controlled prospective clinical studies to evaluate the clinical efficacy of microcurrent treatment of FMS associated with cervical spine trauma are warranted.