Vasodilatory Peripheral Response and Pain Levels following Radiofrequency Stressor Application in Women with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome of unknown pathogenesis that presents, among other symptoms, chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain. This study aims to analyze the effects of radiofrequency on core body temperature and the peripheral temperature of the dorsal surfaces and palms of the hands and its association with pain levels in patients with FM. A case-control observational study was conducted with a total of twenty-nine women diagnosed with FM and seventeen healthy women. Capacitive monopolar radiofrequency was applied to the palms of the hands using the Biotronic Advance Develops device. Peripheral hand temperature was analyzed using a thermographic camera, and core body temperature was analyzed with an infrared scanner. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and electrical pain were recorded with an algometer and a Pain Matcher device, respectively. A significant decrease was observed in women with FM in pain electrical threshold (95% CI [0.01–3.56], p = 0.049), electrical pain (95% CI [2.87–10.43], p = 0.002), dominant supraspinatus PPT (95% CI [0.04–0.52], p = 0.023), non-dominant supraspinatus PPT (95% CI [0.03–0.60], p = 0.029), and non-dominant tibial PPT (95% CI [0.05–0.89], p = 0.031). Women with FM have increased hypersensitivity to pain as well as increased peripheral temperature after exposure to a thermal stimulus, such as radiofrequency, which could indicate disorders of their neurovascular response.