The evaluation of the impact of the use of wool in patients with fibromyalgia on life quality

Abstract

Objective:  The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the use of wool on the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia.

Design: The study was conducted in two stages with a single‑group pre‑test/post‑test model (before trial test model).

Setting: The research was conducted in a physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic and in patient’s homes in Ankara, Turkey.

Subjects: 36 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology were included in the study.

Interventions: The patients did not use wool in the first stage (7 weeks) and used woollen underwear, bed coverings, mattresses and woollen cushions in the following second stage (20 weeks).

Main outcome measures: Study data was collected using a general questionnaire, a Life Quality Scale (Nottingham Health Profile), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS 0‑10), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the number of tender points, and
checklists.

Results: During the period when the patients used wool, it was found there were significant improvements in pain score (before using wool=7.26±1.42; after using wool=1.93±0.74), tender points count (before=14.88±2.43; after=5.97±2.56), Nottingham Health Profile (before=74.28±10.73; after=5.98±1.07) and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (before=10.02±3.59; after=2.52±1.69) (p<0.001).

Conclusion: There were significant improvements in pain score, tender points count, Nottingham Health Profile in all sections, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and its components, as a result of the use of woollen underwear, woollen bed coverings, wolleen mattress cover and woollen cushions in patients with fibromyalgia.