Plain language summary
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic rheumatic disease of unknown cause which is characterized by generalized pain, stiffness, and tenderness in specific points, and is commonly associated with other symptoms including muscular stiffness, depression, non-refreshing sleep, and cognitive impairments. Ganoderma lucidum (GL, reishi) has been demonstrated to increase vital energy, stimulating the immune system, and promoting health, and to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, neuroprotective, and blood pressure lowering properties. GL is rich in polyphenols and has antioxidant properties, and has been used in many Mediterranean countries. Ceratonia siliqua (CS, carob) is also rich in polyphenols and has antioxidant properties, and was used as a control in this study. The aim of this randomised, double blind, clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of GL and CS to enhance physical fitness in patients with FM. Patients took either 6g GL or 6g CS daily for 6 weeks. 25 participants from the GL and 23 from the CS group completed the study. After the 6-week treatment period, a statistically significant difference in aerobic endurance was observed between both groups, with the patients in the GL group, but not those in the CS group, showing improvements. The GL group also obtained significant improvements in lower body flexibility and velocity compared with the CS group. The authors concluded that GL may be effective in improving endurance, lower body flexibility, and velocity, whilst CS seemed to be ineffective in improving physical fitness in women with FM. They discuss that no mechanism how the GL may help with physical fitness in FM patients is known and that further research is needed.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterized by generalized pain, stiffness, poor physical conditioning, non-restorative sleep and poor health-related quality of life. Ganoderma lucidum a type of mushroom that has demonstrated several benefits in different populations. Ceratonia siliqua is a natural therapy rich in antioxidants with potential benefits on health. OBJECTIVE to evaluate the effects of 6-week treatment of Ganoderma lucidum and Ceratonia siliqua on physical fitness in patients suffering from fibromyalgia. METHODS sixty-four women with fibromyalgia participated in the study. They took 6 g of Ganoderma lucidum or Ceratonia siliqua per day for 6 weeks. Different fitness tests were selected in order to evaluate functional capacity. RESULTS after the 6-week treatment period, Ganoderma lucidum significantly improved aerobic endurance, lower body flexibility, and velocity (p < .05). No significant improvement in any physical test was observed in the Ceratonia siliqua group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Ganoderma lucidum may improve physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia, whereas, Ceratonia siliqua seemed to be ineffective at increasing physical fitness. These results may indicate that Ganoderma lucidum might be a useful dietary supplement to enhance physical performance of the patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Introducción: la fibromialgia es una enfermedad crónica caracterizada por dolor crónico general, rigidez, condición física pobre, sueño no reparador y mala calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. Ganoderma lucidum es un tipo de hongo que ha demostrado tener diferentes beneficios en diversas poblaciones. La harina de algarrobo (Ceratonia siliqua) es una fuente natural de antioxidantes con potenciales beneficios para la salud. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos sobre la condición física en mujeres con fibromialgia de un tratamiento de seis semanas con Ganoderma lucidum y compararlos con los de un tratamiento con Ceratonia siliqua. Métodos: sesenta y cuatro mujeres con fibromialgia participaron en el estudio. Se hicieron dos grupos, el primer grupo tomó 6 g diarios de Ganoderma lucidum, mientras que el segundo tomó 6 g diarios de Ceratonia siliqua. Se evaluó la condición física mediante diferentes test físicos validados. Resultados: después de seis semanas de tratamiento, Ganoderma lucidum mejoró significativamente la resistencia aeróbica, la flexibilidad del miembro inferior y la velocidad (p < 0,05). Por otro lado, Ceratonia siliqua no mejoró la condición física. Discusión y conclusiones: Ganoderma lucidum puede mejorar la condición física en mujeres con fibromialgia, mientras que Ceratonia siliqua parece no ser efectivo para este propósito. Estos resultados pueden indicar que 6 g diarios de Ganoderma lucidum podrían ser un suplemento útil para mejorar la condición física en esta población.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
:
5
Allocation concealment
:
Yes
