Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, fibromyalgia and Lyme research continues – albeit at a slower pace. There aren’t quite as many studies in this quarterly research update from ClinicalTrials.gov compared to previous ones.
Out of all of the new projects listed below, I’m most excited about the Belgium ketamine/fibromyalgia study. Over the years, I’ve heard from a number of my readers who report pain relief from ketamine infusions.
However, the drawback to using ketamine is the pain relief lasts, at most, only a few weeks. Many of us with chronic pain aren’t able to access ketamine due to the ongoing cost and lack of coverage by health insurance companies.
Perhaps more research will lead to better access! Let’s hope so!
If you’ll remember, there were no new Lyme trials to report during my last quarterly update in March. I’m happy to see a few new Lyme-related projects in this update!
As you read through the trials, let me know in the comments if any of them interest you. Do you think any of these will move us forward in more understanding of fibromylagia and Lyme?
Fibromyalgia studies
1.
ESKETamine for FIBromyalgia treatment (ESKEFIB)
Grand Hôpital de Charleroi researchers in Belgium will trial low and high doses of S-ketamine to determine if it might relieve the pain of fibromyalgia.
(Read more: Four existing medications that are being repurposed for fibromyalgia)
2.
Fibromyalgia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Al-Azhar University researchers in Egypt are trying to determine if the heightened anxiety triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to more fibromyalgia patients seeking treatment from outpatient clinics.
(Read more: Test shows fibromyalgia patients are unlikely to experience severe COVID-19 symptoms)
3.
Generalized hypersensitivity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome
University of Florida researchers will study fibromyalgia patients’ sensitivity to light “using visually evoked potentials. In addition, careful characterization of experimental pain responding across multiple sensory modalities will be examined,” reads ClinicalTrials.gov.
4.
Researchers from the University of Nove de Julho in Brazil will “investigate the effectiveness of [photobiomodulation therapy] combined with static magnetic fields in pain relief in patients with fibromyalgia.”
5.
Istanbul University researchers in Turkey plan to compare balance-proprioception and aerobic exercises to determine if either improve pain, functionality, muscle strength and cognitive ability among 62 fibromyalgia patients.
(Read more: Fibro warrior develops exercise program just for us)
6.
French researchers from the Grenoble Alps University Hospital will evaluate if outdoor exercise using the Intelligent Electric Bike for Health combined with therapeutic education will improve the quality of life for fibromyalgia patients.
7.
Study to evaluate the effect of a probiotic in the treatment of fibromyalgia
Biopolis S.L. will compare the effects of taking a multistrain probiotic for 12 weeks versus placebo among 50 fibromyalgia patients.
(Read more: Fibromyalgia linked to gut bacteria for first time)
8.
Treatment of fibromyalgia with recovery factors
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum and the Practitioners Alliance Network will test the effectiveness of “a unique oral porcine peptide nutritional supplement” among 200 fibromyalgia patients, according to ClinicalTrials.gov.
(Read more: Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum’s SHINE treatment protocol for fibromyalgia)
9.
Acupuncture for fibromyalgia syndrome
Researchers from Italy’s Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS will compare six weekly sessions of acupuncture to standard fibromyalgia therapy consisting of antidepressants, anti-epileptic drugs or opioids.
(Read more: Acupuncture for treating fibromyalgia)
Lyme disease studies
1.
Adaptive Biotechnologies will test the sensitivity and specificity of its immunoSEQ DX investigational Lyme assay.
2.
Rheumatology patient registry and biorepository
Yale University is creating a rheumatology biorepository of 5,000 patients with Lyme disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and similar conditions “to permit comparative analyses between the rheumatic diseases in order to increase the understanding of disease pathogenesis.”
3.
Evaluation and follow-up of people with tick-borne diseases
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the University of Maryland School of Medicine will partner on this “natural history study, which has the objective of developing a rigorously defined population of patients with Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, per [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] case definitions, to serve as the basis for research in multiple aspects of [tick-borne] infections. These research sub-projects have emphasis in exploring the biological markers of tick-borne infections, developing new diagnostic tests for these infections, assessing the clinical course and outcome of patients with these tick-borne infections, and defining the immunological response to the pathogens.”
4.
Meditation and kundalini yoga for persistent Lyme-related symptoms
The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. will determine if meditation/breathing techniques and/or kundalini yoga can improve the symptoms of patients with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome and chronic Lyme disease.
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March 2020 ClinicalTrials.gov fibromyalgia research update
I’m Donna, a longtime newspaper reporter, health writer and chronic illness thriver! Fed Up with Fatigue provides weekly news, research, treatments and more to help you live better with fibromyalgia and/or Lyme.
I was involved with #8 fibromyalgia the Recovery Factors supplement. It helped so much i paid nearly $100 in mg currency for a bottle to be delivered as soon as it was available! It helped me sleep and improved pain slightly.
Wow, that was the Teitelbaum product you were telling me about?